This really isn't an attack but I am very curious if there are Christian answers to most of these questions. They're from a former pastor and his challenge was, "If you think I am wrong, then answer these questions:" I think he may have been a fundamentalist based on what he says at the end, which you can disregard if you want. I'm more interested in the response to the meat of what he says. http://www.jdstone.org/cr/files/newtest_thisisatestament.html Oh, and I'm not expecting anybody to bother and answer all of these questions, but even to be able to give a general response to them or even just in responding as to how you approach these types of questions or deal with them. Thanks.
The bible is a giant contradiction. That's what happens when oral traditions are written down, including pieces from many versions. That also happens when you combine many religions to form one religion...the pieces don't fit quite right. Christianity borrowed a lot from Judaism, including several "fringe" groups (eg, the Essenes), and from Zoroastrianism (A Persian religion), and even some European and Middle Eastern pagan religions. This is interesting website about Zoroastrianism. Read it, keeping in mind it predated christianity by at LEAST 600 years, if not twice that. http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm
Actually, No. Its a seamless line of spirituality. You just keep saying that in hopes that, if people hear it enough they will at least be 'suspicious enough' not to bother finding out the truth for themselves. No, that is not 'what happens', Anyway There are not 'many versions'. The records were maintained and in the custody of Jews. They were so vigilant about keeping the strictest and most perfect records that by todays standards they would be considered almost 'Paranoid'. Then stop borrowing bits and pieces of Judaism and Christianity and smushing in Gnosticism .... your a perfect example of this idea! This could win for 'deliberatley deceptive understatement of the century'. Christianity did not 'borrow a lot' but fully and uncompromisingly claims to be DIRECTLY FROM JUDAISM. Your understating it in hopes it sounds 'suspicious'. Im sure you have found the 10 similarities and not the 10000 disimilarities for future 'proof'. Still. That was a pretty silly statement, although some of those groups certainly did borrow and share ideas from the Jews (who had the real deal). Since Christianity dates back to Adam, I dont see a 'win' for Zoroastrianism but the whole 'PREDATES CHRISTIANITY' argument is nothing more than a bullshit game anyway. If something is true - its true. period. You can 'keep that in mind'. Does Judaism become 'more true' because it pre-dates Zoroastrianism? Im tired of seeing you bullshitters come on here and smear Christianity with big smug faces.. not that YOU believe what your writing... but you hope the unititiated and the curious will be blindsided with your bullshit before they can look any further.
I know you were responding to tripping, but I'd like to make it clear that I did not post what I did in order to smear Christianity. I don't hope to confuse the uninitiated. Rather, I want a response from the initiated about the contents of that link. Seeing contradiction after contradiction, misquote after misquote, what do you use to hold on to your faith?
Jesus Christ aka God in flesh. My question for youis who do you think Jesus was? Just a magician or what? I just wonder, no harshness intended.
So far I dont see contradiction after contradiction. The writer has the slack and easy ablity to simply ask questions based on presuppositions he already has made. I would need to spend a few weeks combing through all those so I will have to limit myself to a couple for now. Im usually wary of any of these type of questions and what amount to hair-splitting over greek or hebrew 'tenses'.
