Is the bible just a retelling of older myths?

I get the hint that the bible is a retelling of older myths/legends/stories that came to be from the Sumerian ancient civilization rather than original text/ideas.

What is the bible according to you?

:o

If the Bible was simply a retelling of older myths then why write the Bible in the first place? Just take the existing myths and use those.Theokhoth

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]If the Bible was simply a retelling of older myths then why write the Bible in the first place? Just take the existing myths and use those.hip-hop-cola2

Morals don't change. . . . .society changes, but morals don't. And considering that the Bible was not written by officials (with the possible exception of Moses). . . .

The Bible was written by many different authors across many, many years. If it were a retelling of myths, it would not take so long, would have been written by people who could actually use those myths and would not have survived this long.

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"]If the Bible was simply a retelling of older myths then why write the Bible in the first place? Just take the existing myths and use those.Theokhoth

Morals don't change. . . . .society changes, but morals don't. And considering that the Bible was not written by officials (with the possible exception of Moses). . . .

The Bible was written by many different authors across many, many years. If it were a retelling of myths, it would not take so long, would have been written by people who could actually use those myths and would not have survived this long.

bend them to fit the new society then, when people start to look down on human sacrifice you change the religion to fit the new belief. im not saying it was done on purpose, but if you look at a religion like animals, the more popular ones survive, the less die out. im sure if people suddenly looked down on eating wine and bread christianity would'nt last long.

and it can still be a "retelling" of myths and take a long time, it could have began as a new look on old myths, the people adding to it...well just add. I like the part where man controlled what went in the bible, like how anything a women wrote didn't get in.

retelling? until we are able to speak with the original authors of the book we can only speculate, there's just too many interpretations shyskillz

Well, I say retelling because looking into the stories of the bible and looking into the stories of the ancient Sumerian race/civilization, it comes to mind that a lot of the folklore seems to have been copied from these peoples manuscripts. Either that or it's just a HUGE coincidence that the Sumerians experienced very similiar events to that of the bible, like the Noah's Ark story for example, and I'm probably thinking to much about the similiarities.

If it were a retelling of myths, it would not take so long, would have been written by people who could actually use those myths and would not have survived this long. Theokhoth

There is that 3000 year old artifact that some archeologist found a month or two ago that he believed had hebrew writing on it. This supports that the Jewish kingdom around the time of King David was literate and could have actually written all of the books in the Bible before the 200 B.C. mark, like it was believed by most historians. This means that many of the stories were being told as they happend and not just inspired folklore and thrown together in 200 B.C. I'm not sure if they proved it yet. I don't think that just because the Jewish people thought of some of those Sumarian stories in a different way, it effects the religion. Abraham was a Sumarian, except that he believed he found the true Almighty God. The stories took the shape to relate to Abraham's God how Abraham's people saw them. Myths are different than just fiction in a religious sense, because they have deeper symbolical meanings (like all fiction I guess, but when it is rooted within religion it gives guidlines for the sacred, specifically for that religion.) I'm probably not making much sense... And the comment about no books written by women, there is definitly many instances where women are related as equal or even better than men. I am not trying to fight about it, I just wanted to mention that in the discussion, because there most definitly was sex discrimination in that time.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the law written by the Sumarian Hamarabi is closly related to Mose's laws. The laws that came from Moses have differences ofcoarse, and these differences are tailored to this Monotheistic religion, and upholds the notions that they felt are important to their (and my) God. I was trying to say something like that ^ there.

This is asking for a flame war...

along with the 5000 threads that were made this month.

This is asking for a flame war...

along with the 5000 threads that were made this month.

supa_badman

I certainly hope not since that's not what I'm going for.

Oppionion is that no, its not. Infact, for those of you that dont know, the bible technically was the first scientific document as well as a guide to Christianity. The bible has practically stated all major scientific discoveries thousands of years before they were discovered by scientists. I can only provide you with evidence, as which follows.

Bible says that all things are composed of atoms: In Hebrews 11:3, written 2,000 years ago, Scripture tells us that the "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Bible says in Job, that the earth is round, and that it is suspended by gravity."He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;he suspends the earth over nothing" Job 26:7, and the earth is round in "It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22)

The Bible completely describes the entire water cycle, thousands of years before scientists ever discovered it. "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again" (Ecclesiastes 1:7) , For example, the Mississippi River dumps approximately 518 billion gallons of water every 24 hours into the Gulf of Mexico. Where does all that water go? And that's just one of thousands of rivers. The answer lies in the hydrologic cycle, so well brought out in the Bible. Again, in Ecclesiastes 11:3 "if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth." Look at the Bible's concise words in Amos 9:6: "He . . . calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth." This explains the water cycle, 2000 years before it was fully discovered in the 1700s. The bible told us things that scientists claim we are just now or recently finding out, but they dont know that the answers are right in front of them. The BIBLE is right, and is scientifically proven. The same Athiests that claim there is no God because seeing is believing are the same that believe that all matter is made up of atoms, but yet they cannot see them? Exactly. The bible is not based off of myth, it is factual, there is nothing to prove that wrong, and never will be. Only theory*, and theory it will always be. If you want truth, open your eyes, its right in front of you. I find it funny that regardless of the facts that i just laid out people will still make claims that science knew it first. Well, also if you look at history it tells you that SCIENCE didnt know about it till Much Much later. God be the Glory.

Well, this topic may die, but if you find it feel free to message me if you want to know more :)

Oppionion is that no, its not. Infact, for those of you that dont know, the bible technically was the first scientific document as well as a guide to Christianity. The bible has practically stated all major scientific discoveries thousands of years before they were discovered by scientists. I can only provide you with evidence, as which follows.

Bible says that all things are composed of atoms: In Hebrews 11:3, written 2,000 years ago, Scripture tells us that the "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Bible says in Job, that the earth is round, and that it is suspended by gravity."He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;he suspends the earth over nothing" Job 26:7, and the earth is round in "It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22)

The Bible completely describes the entire water cycle, thousands of years before scientists ever discovered it. "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again" (Ecclesiastes 1:7) , For example, the Mississippi River dumps approximately 518 billion gallons of water every 24 hours into the Gulf of Mexico. Where does all that water go? And that's just one of thousands of rivers. The answer lies in the hydrologic cycle, so well brought out in the Bible. Again, in Ecclesiastes 11:3 "if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth." Look at the Bible's concise words in Amos 9:6: "He . . . calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth." This explains the water cycle, 2000 years before it was fully discovered in the 1700s. The bible told us things that scientists claim we are just now or recently finding out, but they dont know that the answers are right in front of them. The BIBLE is right, and is scientifically proven. The same Athiests that claim there is no God because seeing is believing are the same that believe that all matter is made up of atoms, but yet they cannot see them? Exactly. The bible is not based off of myth, it is factual, there is nothing to prove that wrong, and never will be. Only theory*, and theory it will always be. If you want truth, open your eyes, its right in front of you. I find it funny that regardless of the facts that i just laid out people will still make claims that science knew it first. Well, also if you look at history it tells you that SCIENCE didnt know about it till Much Much later. God be the Glory.

Stealth-patriot

Well supposedly the Sumerians - Assyrians and I forgot what other civilization, that stemmed from Iraq(ancient Messapotamia - Sumer - Babylon) were the first to come across all those pieces intelligence and more since apparently they were initially discovered(so to speak) by this ancient race. Is why I ask if it's just a retelling since most everything that is mentioned in the bible seems to have had some sort of origin outside of Christianity.

Oppionion is that no, its not. Infact, for those of you that dont know, the bible technically was the first scientific document as well as a guide to Christianity. The bible has practically stated all major scientific discoveries thousands of years before they were discovered by scientists. I can only provide you with evidence, as which follows. Allot of these thingsseem to be from observations rather than predictions

Bible says that all things are composed of atoms: In Hebrews 11:3, written 2,000 years ago, Scripture tells us that the "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." This seems to be observed from growing. For example, a child grows into an adult, yet nothing is added to do so. Same with plants. They grow, but nothing is attached to add mass, they just simply get bigger out of nothing. And just because scientists only accepted it recently doesn't mean they completely denied it up until then. Its more like they didn't have the evidence to make it fact due to a lack of technology.

Bible says in Job, that the earth is round, and that it is suspended by gravity."He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;he suspends the earth over nothing" Job 26:7, and the earth is round in "It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22) I have no idea where that says anything about gravity. Its been known for a long time that the earth revolves around the sun if thats what your trying to say. props for claiming the earth is circular., although chances are its based off the sun and moon being circular as well.

The Bible completely describes the entire water cycle, thousands of years before scientists ever discovered it. "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again" (Ecclesiastes 1:7) , For example, the Mississippi River dumps approximately 518 billion gallons of water every 24 hours into the Gulf of Mexico. Where does all that water go? And that's just one of thousands of rivers. The answer lies in the hydrologic cycle, so well brought out in the Bible. Again, in Ecclesiastes 11:3 "if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth." Look at the Bible's concise words in Amos 9:6: "He . . . calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth." This explains the water cycle, 2000 years before it was fully discovered in the 1700s. The bible told us things that scientists claim we are just now or recently finding out, but they dont know that the answers are right in front of them. The BIBLE is right, and is scientifically proven. The same Athiests that claim there is no God because seeing is believing are the same that believe that all matter is made up of atoms, but yet they cannot see them? Exactly. The bible is not based off of myth, it is factual, there is nothing to prove that wrong, and never will be. Only theory*, and theory it will always be. If you want truth, open your eyes, its right in front of you. I find it funny that regardless of the facts that i just laid out people will still make claims that science knew it first. Well, also if you look at history it tells you that SCIENCE didnt know about it till Much Much later. God be the Glory. What? Thats just more observations. It doesn't take a genious to realize that rivers end up in a lake or ocean. Rivers were a prime way of travelling long distances quickly, so of coarse they'd know rivers would end up in the ocean. And by the way, an ocean can't be 'full', but simply get bigger or smaller. And of coarse, all it takes to know that clouds must be full of rain to rain is to realize that clouds don't always rain, and tend to be much bigger when they do. The whole waters of the sea gets me though. My only thought is realizing that steam rises into the sky, and that puddles dissapear when the sun if up. That would be pretty far out though to observe. And by the way, we can see atoms, we just need special microscopes. Otherwise it couldn't be fact. Just another hypothesis. Although scientists have proven the earth is older than 6000 years, making the rest of the bible questionable. Especially since it doesn't actually state anything resembling something like evaporation or how anything is done, just observations. which a farmer could make.

Stealth-patriot

Yes. The story of moses floating down a river in a reed basket was taken from the Sumerian story of a supposed autobiography of king Sargon of Akkad. The great flood was influenced by other delguge myths including a Sumerian one where the gods planned to wipe out humanity with a flood but one of the gods warned the "hero" of the imminant flood and instructed him to build an ark. And for 7 days and 7 nights the earth was flooded and after the rains, he sent out birds, including a dove, to check if the waters how far the waters had receded. Interesting similarities, no?

Christianity is just another mythology just like Sumerian, Greek, Egyptian, etc.

1. The bible is written as history and not myth. Here is some info if you are interested in knowing more.

Historical Document

Info on bible

zeitgeist is like a jedi mind trick; it only works on the weak minded.x_Martyr_x

I can't make any sense of your statement, enlighten me someone

Here is Dr. Gary Habermas treatise on WHY I BELIEVE THE NEW TESTAMENT IS HISTORICALLY RELIABLE. You can read it here

Here is an excerpt,

The credibility of Scripture is certainly a multifaceted issue. In this chapter, I will examine one

specific angle-whether the New Testament is a historically reliable document. Topics such as

precise textual issues, genre considerations, specific critical methodologies, scientific concerns,

and the doctrine of inspiration are beyond the focus here.1 Instead, I will examine several areas

that indicate that the New Testament speaks accurately when it makes historical claims that can

be checked. I will begin by assessing some conventional areas of consideration.

CUSTOMARY STRATEGIES

Typically, defenses of the reliability of the New Testament have emphasized several items: the

superior manuscript numbers, early dating of these copies, as well as the authoritative authorship

and dating of the original compositions. I will respond briefly to each, since they all still have an

important part to play. Since these defenses have received much attention, however, I will only

highlight a number of relevant issues.

Yes. The story of moses floating down a river in a reed basket was taken from the Sumerian story of a supposed autobiography of king Sargon of Akkad. The great flood was influenced by other delguge myths including a Sumerian one where the gods planned to wipe out humanity with a flood but one of the gods warned the "hero" of the imminant flood and instructed him to build an ark. And for 7 days and 7 nights the earth was flooded and after the rains, he sent out birds, including a dove, to check if the waters how far the waters had receded. Interesting similarities, no?

Christianity is just another mythology just like Sumerian, Greek, Egyptian, etc.

C_Town_Soul

That may well be, but maybe the myths are true? :P

Oppionion is that no, its not. Infact, for those of you that dont know, the bible technically was the first scientific document as well as a guide to Christianity. The bible has practically stated all major scientific discoveries thousands of years before they were discovered by scientists. I can only provide you with evidence, as which follows.

Bible says that all things are composed of atoms: In Hebrews 11:3, written 2,000 years ago, Scripture tells us that the "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Bible says in Job, that the earth is round, and that it is suspended by gravity."He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;he suspends the earth over nothing" Job 26:7, and the earth is round in "It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22)

The Bible completely describes the entire water cycle, thousands of years before scientists ever discovered it. "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again" (Ecclesiastes 1:7) , For example, the Mississippi River dumps approximately 518 billion gallons of water every 24 hours into the Gulf of Mexico. Where does all that water go? And that's just one of thousands of rivers. The answer lies in the hydrologic cycle, so well brought out in the Bible. Again, in Ecclesiastes 11:3 "if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth." Look at the Bible's concise words in Amos 9:6: "He . . . calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth." This explains the water cycle, 2000 years before it was fully discovered in the 1700s. The bible told us things that scientists claim we are just now or recently finding out, but they dont know that the answers are right in front of them. The BIBLE is right, and is scientifically proven. The same Athiests that claim there is no God because seeing is believing are the same that believe that all matter is made up of atoms, but yet they cannot see them? Exactly. The bible is not based off of myth, it is factual, there is nothing to prove that wrong, and never will be. Only theory*, and theory it will always be. If you want truth, open your eyes, its right in front of you. I find it funny that regardless of the facts that i just laid out people will still make claims that science knew it first. Well, also if you look at history it tells you that SCIENCE didnt know about it till Much Much later. God be the Glory.

Stealth-patriot

Stated all major scientific discoveries? Yet you mention only two?

Either way, nobody can deny that the Bible holds some wisdom, and as you inherently described, contains some remarkable information. However, this does not prove the validity of the Bible. Even if we assume that God passed down his life lessons to mankind, I find it hard to believe that the stories stayed the same considering they were retold orally for hundreds of years before written down. (old testament)

Therefor I personally, question the importance of the Bible. Well, I kinda disregard it completely, with some exceptions, but that it just me, and I can respect people's belief in the Bible. However, what I don't get, is why some think the Bible is the un-infallible word of the Lord, considering it is written by men.

Everything in the bible is pure myth. Parts might have been stolen, but most of it is original BS.smarb001

BS as in Bible Stories?

Saudi archaeologists have been excavating the cave of the prophet Musa (Moses) for years now. Not to mention excavating what is believed to be Mt. Sinai. At the current site is found,

1. Jabal Al-Lawz, or Mt. Sinai, is charred black at the top despite the fact it is solid, granite. (see Exodus 19:18)

2. They found the boundary markers mentioned in Exodus 19:23. They are spaced about every 400 yards.

3. They found the altar of the golden calf. It was about 30ft. high and 30ft. across. See Exodus 32:4

4. They found the 12 pillars mentioned in Exodus 24:4.

5. They found the split rock at Horeb mentioned in Exodus 17:6. The entire story of the water gushing out is now historical fact.

6. They found the bitter springs of Marah mentioned in Exodus 15:22-23.

Also, the story of Joseph in Genesis is confirmd thru archaeology as well. they found Joseph's signet rings as well as many other things. King David is archaeological fact and there is a dig currently going on in what is believed to be his palace.

Well the bible has been proven to contain historical truths. So nomatter what it's not "just" a retelling of older myths.

Those of you who claim the book is just a bunch of myths obvously don't know your facts. Any well educated, scientific, athiest knows the bible has at least some historical basis.

Anyways I believe the whole book is true, but I do not know enough to debate your opinion and I don't have time to research an answer so I'll leave it at that.

Yep, as a quick example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deucalion that guy is pretty much just Noah. You can read the Bible for symbolism I guess, but how much symbolism can you get from say Leviticus which condones slavery and orders those who work on sundays to be put to death...what symbolic messege am I missing there? If you are picking and chosing from the Bible, your basically picking the best bits right...so aren't you just making your own 'religion'? Going from your own beliefs?

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"]If the Bible was simply a retelling of older myths then why write the Bible in the first place? Just take the existing myths and use those.Theokhoth

Morals don't change. . . . .society changes, but morals don't. And considering that the Bible was not written by officials (with the possible exception of Moses). . . .

I disagree. Morality is relative, so of course morals change...

Bible says that all things are composed of atoms: In Hebrews 11:3, written 2,000 years ago, Scripture tells us that the "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Stealth-patriot

Everything in the bible is pure myth. Parts might have been stolen, but most of it is original BS.smarb001