Is it this, or is it that?

Do you, like me, also find yourself at odds with the Bible and not really understand why?  Or, maybe you understand why but don't really know how, or if, this molds your faith. 

For most of us this is not a question of our belief in the teachings of Christ, his life, death, or resurrection.  It is a fundamental question of biblical contradictions that were spoon fed to us when we were too young to understand.  For those of us that managed to grow up enjoying the benefit of a free mind, we now see these flaws in what we had always thought of as fact.  And are these really contradictions or just variations on a theme?  We know a story is significantly different after only three people retell the original.  Were the author’s intentions colored by issues of the day?  Politics?  Gender?  Or perhaps the fact that most of it was written hundreds of years after the fact with no original documents, translated numerous times, and then to have the content voted on by, well…who died and made them God.

I found a book that, after reading, I realized I could have written.  It addresses all the issues I’ve ever found in the Bible, and more!  I recommend all of you that have ever questioned your faith due to the issue you have had with the Bible, read this book.  It will not detract from the message of the Bible, but it will help explain some of the issues you have found.  The book is, “Jesus Interrupted, Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (and Why We Don’t Know About Them)” by Bart D. Ehrman.  Mr. Ehrman attended Princeton Theological Seminary and is the Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina.
He will address the potential value of the “historical-critical method” as an approach to studying what you read, and how he feels this historical criticism does not lead to a loss of faith.

So, how many times did Peter deny Jesus? Three?  Six?  One question I had not thought of was, if God created “light” on the first day, and the sun, moon and stars were not created till the fourth day, where was this light coming from?  When did Jesus really become the son of God?  Was it before of after the resurrection?

These are but a few issues addressed in his book.  I highly recommend it to all.  Make up your own mind of the validity.  That is the key to addressing validity of anything thrown your way.  Make up your own mind!

I know.  I keep saying it.  Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.