Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: mib@geech.ai.mit.edu (Michael I. Bushnell) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Bible the word of God? Message-ID: Date: 29 Oct 90 07:25:49 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: /home/fsf/mib/.organization Lines: 41 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article carsup@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (Fisher Library support) writes: Ok guys, I need help. I've been a christian for almost 4 years now, (gee.. getting old). I came to Jesus mainly through hearing arguments for the resurection.. historical stuff. Because I know the Bible is a good primary witness, I can accept that the gospels are the word of God, and that since Jesus said is was, the OT as well. HOWEVER, I have never realy heard a realy good reason why the rest (ie apistles etc) are the word of God. I respect Paul and the rest as very wise and holy people, but how do we know God was speaking through them? I find that the argument 'because James said so in the Bible' a little circular. Hmm...from my standpoint, the letters of Paul (and primarily the "undisputed" ones (1&2 Cor, Rom, Phlm, 1 Thess, Gal, Phil)) are the best insight we have into the early church's thought about Jesus. Christianity is a religion "about" Jesus, and it's the apostles' thinking about Jesus that has defined it. They are the ones who knew and lived with him, or, in the case of Paul, very closely tied to that community. The gospels are somewhat removed. The Johannine author(s) present a highly theological-ized gospel, and the synoptic gospels present a religious history. None of them are an objective account. Luke-Acts looks more objective than the rest, and clearly is, but has disparities with Paul's letters. Most scholars treat Paul's letters as far more informative and reliable than Acts. The historicity of the resurrection is very important to me. But I don't believe it because the gospels mention it as important. They are far from unbiased sources! But I see your problem in a different light. If you are looking for solid rules you can follow, then the New Testament and Christianity are not for you. Ours is a religion of freedom from rules and guidelines. -- Michael I. Bushnell \ This above all; to thine own self be true LIBERTE, EGALITE, FRATERNITE \ And it must follow, as the night the day, mike@unmvax.cs.unm.edu /\ Thou canst not be false to any man. CARPE DIEM / \ Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!