Religion and Ethics and Health BBS

Religion and Ethics and Health BBS
[ Religion and Ethics and Health BBS ]

The Bible Story

Posted by observer on June 26, 2026, 12:53 am

I’ve been surprised at how often people who went to church when they were young, but haven’t returned, often know so little about the whole story of the Bible. They often know particular stories, but do not know the most important whole story. Some may have never heard it. One of the biggest helps to understanding it includes the fact that cross references among the various books are instrumental to understanding, often referred to as the Bible interpreting the Bible vs tradition or manmade interpretations. This keeps things in context. So many of the errors come from taking things out of context.

This is helpful:

“The overarching story of the Holy Bible is a narrative of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. It tells how God created a perfect world, how humanity rebelled and broke it with sin, and how God lovingly sent Jesus to pay for that sin, ultimately promising to renew all creation.

The Bible's message unfolds across four major movements:

Creation: God created the universe and humanity to live in perfect harmony with Him, commissioning people to care for the world.

The Fall: Humanity chose to reject God's authority and define good and evil on their own terms. This act of rebellion introduced sin, brokenness, pain, and separation from God into the world.

.Redemption: The central theme of the Bible. God launched a rescue mission, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through his sacrifice, humanity can be forgiven and reconciled with God.

Restoration: The ultimate conclusion of the story. It points to a future hope where Jesus will return to eradicate evil, eliminate suffering, and renew the entire universe into a perfect state.”

Then for Christians (not merely cultural ones) the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming the worldly mind, changing it from ungodly thinking to godly thinking is key.

The Bible is clear that, although we have a say in this, it’s accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit and it is only by this work that our minds are renewed and our lives transformed.
And it’s personal. People’s understanding is quicker for some than others, but it’s a lifelong journey for all, not something accomplished simply by going to church.

For many the worldly view puts the cart before the horse with the aim of being a better person, having to settle for what they can accomplish themselves.

But the Biblical emphasis is that our purpose is to worship/obey/
love God for HIS GLORY AND OUR GOOD. That is the kind of good person God makes possible through the Holy Spirit. He does not want us to settle for the world view which does not bring the peace and comfort He gives, and not the opportunity to live eternally with Him with no more pain, suffering, grief of this world. This IS NOT POSSIBLE to believe without that first step of sincerely wanting to God and crying out to Him in faith.

I know that this will not be accepted much less believed by most, but there may be one person for whom it’s relevant.

Your breakdown is clear and concise

Posted by trish on June 27, 2026, 12:09 pm, in reply to "The Bible Story"

I reads like the perfect outline for a novel (I mean that as a compliment)

Re: Your breakdown is clear and concise

Posted by observer on June 28, 2026, 8:40 am, in reply to "Your breakdown is clear and concise"

Thank you, Trish.

As clear as mud.

Posted by Allah Fubar *= on June 28, 2026, 9:05 am, in reply to "Re: Your breakdown is clear and concise"

😏

It is a problem

Posted by oberver on June 28, 2026, 10:13 am, in reply to "As clear as mud."

for the blind.

Sorry, I didn't mean to dissuade your challenged vision...

Posted by Allah Fubar *= on June 28, 2026, 9:25 pm, in reply to "It is a problem"

But then again, if you'd open your eyes to logic, you too would see the folly of religion and blood cults like christianity.

Not to worry!

Posted by observer on June 28, 2026, 10:21 pm, in reply to "Sorry, I didn't mean to dissuade your challenged vision..."

You did not. I understand the limits of materialism.

Good Job!

Posted by BornToFarm on June 27, 2026, 9:09 am, in reply to "The Bible Story"

I might add in the section of our purpose, that one of our purposes is to bring Him glory.

Re: Good Job!

Posted by observer on June 28, 2026, 10:12 am, in reply to "Good Job!"

I love the hymn “For His Glory and My Good.” I think it sometimes goes unnoticed that His glory, while emphasizing His majesty, is for our good. They belong together, Imo.

Why?

Posted by Allah Fubar *= on June 27, 2026, 9:31 am, in reply to "Good Job!"

🤔

It is 100% fiction.

Posted by KR on June 26, 2026, 1:10 pm, in reply to "The Bible Story"

The Greeks and the Norse had cooler stories than those middle eastern fables...

Posted by Allah Fubar *= on June 26, 2026, 6:03 pm, in reply to "It is 100% fiction."

Lots of sex and violence in all of them, though.😎

They are all Noah’s progenies

Posted by GOG on July 1, 2026, 1:39 pm, in reply to "The Greeks and the Norse had cooler stories than those middle eastern fables..."

And their themes are mimics of the original.

NOT Fiction at all. Google "confirmation of history of old testament"

Posted by DFM on June 26, 2026, 2:00 pm, in reply to "It is 100% fiction."

References below concern PHYSICAL OBJECTS, not mythology.

Scholarly confirmation of Old Testament history relies on a combination of archaeological discoveries, regional inscriptions, and textual manuscripts. While some early narratives lack direct proof, the archaeological record strongly corroborates geopolitical events and figures starting from the Divided Monarchy, while ancient scrolls prove the text was meticulously preserved.

Key Confirmations in Archaeology

Kings and Kingdoms: The historical existence of specific Israelite, Judean, and neighboring kings mentioned in the text (such as Omri, Ahab, Hezekiah, and Manasseh) is well-documented in Assyrian, Babylonian, and Moabite records.

The Tel Dan Stele: Discovered in northern Israel, this 9th-century BC stone inscription explicitly mentions the "House of David".

The Mesha Stele: This artifact from the same era details conflicts between Moab and Israel, directly aligning with events recorded in 2 Kings.

The Ketef Hinnom Scrolls: Found near Jerusalem, these two small silver scrolls dating back to the 7th-century BC contain the oldest known fragments of biblical text, including the Priestly Blessing.

Babylonian Chronicles: Cuneiform tablets confirm the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and mention King Jehoiachin, aligning with the historical accounts in the Book of Kings and Jeremiah.

Kingdom of Ancient Israel validated beyond question. Royal seal of Jeroboam found.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shema_seal

KR ...

Posted by Mondo Fuego™ on June 26, 2026, 10:34 pm, in reply to "NOT Fiction at all. Google "confirmation of history of old testament""

... is an uneducated idiot who fantasizes about being "smart".

Thumbs up!

Posted by GOG on July 1, 2026, 1:41 pm, in reply to "KR ..."

So I gather that you believe our ancient ancestors lived for 100's of years...?

Posted by Allah Fubar *= on June 26, 2026, 9:47 am, in reply to "The Bible Story"

...and produced 10's of thousands of progeny?

Just another engrossing fable. Your scripture is jam packed with such fallacies...

If world was perfect, how did humans FAIL?

Posted by DFM on June 26, 2026, 7:57 am, in reply to "The Bible Story"

Because

Posted by observer on June 26, 2026, 8:40 am, in reply to "If world was perfect, how did humans FAIL?"

God gave man freedom of choice. Without that, there is no love. He wanted, as loving parents do, for people to choose Him. With freedom of choice comes freedom to sin. As a result we continue in this world to do the same. But the next world is a different story!

There is no "next" world. Dead is dead.

Posted by KR on June 26, 2026, 1:12 pm, in reply to "Because"

In other words, God was a poor designer?

Posted by DFM on June 26, 2026, 12:04 pm, in reply to "Because"

God, if He, She or It exists, is an underachiever.

Posted by Mugwump on June 28, 2026, 12:05 pm, in reply to "In other words, God was a poor designer? "

Hardly!

Posted by observer on June 26, 2026, 12:40 pm, in reply to "In other words, God was a poor designer? "

Would you want your kids to be robots?

Then why did he put the amusement park right next to the sewer plant?

Posted by Allah Fubar *= on June 26, 2026, 6:07 pm, in reply to "Hardly!"

Poor design.
🙊

No, but I would NOT want them to be evil either.

Posted by DFM on June 26, 2026, 1:49 pm, in reply to "Hardly!"

Re: No, but I would NOT want them to be evil either.

Posted by observer on June 26, 2026, 2:17 pm, in reply to "No, but I would NOT want them to be evil either."

If there’s no choice, there’s no evil, NOR love! Would you want your children to live without love? Would you want your children to be unable to love you?

That is an absurd assumption.

Posted by DFM on June 27, 2026, 7:12 pm, in reply to "Re: No, but I would NOT want them to be evil either."

Really, David.

Posted by observer on June 28, 2026, 10:32 am, in reply to "That is an absurd assumption."

A rational response would be reason, not your usual negative, non-responsive rant.

Do you actually believe the human mind does not/cannpt choose between response and reaction, positivity and negativity, good and evil, love and hate?

Do you not (choose to) believe that, apart from hormones and chemicals, what we fill our minds with determines our emotions, and following that our actions?

You cannot understand that love, like evil is a choice and they do not coexist, unless you subscribe to the Hallmark definition of love?

"The next world"??

Posted by Allah Fubar *= on June 26, 2026, 9:12 am, in reply to "Because"

You mean the one where we are decomposing and returning to our elemental form?

(and how did the Western Hemisphere escape the wrath of your middle eastern god?)

Regarding your second paragraph, it’s coming.

Posted by GOG on July 1, 2026, 1:43 pm, in reply to ""The next world"??"

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