Posted by Miss Honeychurch on January 16, 2004, at 11:27:21
In reply to Re: How to justify pagan roots?, posted by Simus on January 15, 2004, at 0:13:37
I didn't start this thread to question the actual existence of Jesus. I realize, through the writings of Josephus et al that he in fact did exist.
What I am questioning is the validity of his story. How is one to really know that his story was not molded to correspond with those of ancient gods who were born of a virgin, killed, and risen again?? In my mind, this is a perfectly reasonable question.
I guess it all comes down to how you actually see the Bible. Is it literature? Is it the true word of God? Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John have actual AGENDAS when writing their gospels? Why exactly were these gospels chosen to be included in the Bible as opposed to others? What was the Church's agenda by including these specific gosp
Then there is the question of biblical translation from Aramaic to Greek to Latin to English, etc. How do we know what we are reading is a true translation?
We are so used to seeing Christ depicted with blue eyes and blonde hair, that that is in fact how many Christians visualize him, when in fact he more than likely was dark featured. But many Christians basically accept that Jesus was Nordic in appearance without questioning his ethnicity and what part of the world he came from. Do we just accept stories from the Bible as blindly?
I am certainly no biblical scholar or theologian, so I apologize if I had said any mis-statements.
I just have trouble taking the historic validity of the Bible as "gospel" as it were. Muslims believe the Koran is the true word of God, and Christians do not. How are Christians so certain the Bible is indeed, fact?? PLEase don't call me a heretic or anything, I feel it is healthy to question one's religion. Perhaps I am too cynical. I always feel people have an agenda and I feel the Bible to be no exception to this which is why I question some of its content.
Perhaps my faith is not strong enough...
poster:Miss Honeychurch
thread:297550
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040113/msgs/301597.html