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PBS "Discovers" The Bible Is Not True
Your tax funded Public Broadcasting System has a new documentary that is scheduled to air November 18.
After six years in the making and untold millions of dollars, the NOVA special, "Bible's Buried Secrets" challenges the Bible's authenticity and it's stories.
Archaeologist William Dever, who specializes in Israel's history and was apparently involved in the making of the documentary says, "It explains how and why these stories [Biblical accounts] ever came to be told in the first place and how and why they were written down...it's a very controversial film."
The conclusions of the film are an affront to the authenticity of the Bible, Judaism, Christianity and God Himself. And are a product of your tax dollars at work.
The conclusions of the film are pretty amazing.
These conclusions include:
*The Old Testament was written in the sixth century B.C. and hundreds, maybe thousands of authors participated.
*Abraham, Sarah and their offspring likely did not exist.
*The Exodus did not happen.
*Monotheism was an evolutionary process that took hundreds of years.
*The Israelites were actually Canaanites and did not come from somewhere else.
And the Israelites believed God had a wife.
I have read a number of reviews of the film and what I have taken from all I've read is that this is simply another attack on the authenticity of the Bible, although I don't think it was produced just to be an attack.
The errors and misinformation will be sorted out by Biblical scholars and theologians.
To me, the film seems to highlight the arrogance, elitism and spiritual blindness that is prevalent in these circles.
The film is said to be a science film. This probably allowed certain funding sources and grants that may not have been available otherwise.
Carol Meyers, a religion professor at Duke University explains, "There are bits and pieces of stories here and there, over centuries and centuries---like tributaries to a river, tiny little streams upstream, and then come together and become a couple of larger streams and then you've got the mighty Mississippi which is the Bible."
Keep in mind this woman is paid to teach your kids.
She says while the stories are mostly untrue historically, "There's some kernel of ancient experience in there which survived and helps give identity to the people at the time the Bible finally took shape centuries and centuries later."
Archaeologist Dever says its a waste of time to argue with fundamentalists. (That would be some of us). He says the film is, "Designed for intelligent people who are willing to change their mind...it will give intelligent people who want to read the Bible in a modern way a chance. If we insist on reading the Bible literally, in 25 years, nobody will read it any longer."
Producer Paula Apsell says, "This will enrich our understanding of what our ancestors went through to give rise to these beliefs that many hold today. That was their legacy to us: our God, one humanity and a code of ethics that had to accompany those beliefs."
Bottom line, according to these folks; The Bible is based on made up stories that came together at some later time. These stories are helpful in defining the identity of those who told the stories and they served as an evolutionary basis for people to create a god, define humanity and provide a code of ethics.
God, Judaism and Christianity are seen as a product of the evolutionary human experience. The code of ethics, a product of social evolution.
This reaffirms that there are no absolutes, no higher authority than our human experience and that those who hold to literal biblical truths are intellectually inferior.
Secular elitists take the same view of the Constitution. They say it is a "living" document and means different things at different times in history.
By committing something to the evolutionary process, we make ourselves superior to it. We can then define it as we see fit.
We then, "become as God."
There is a better way.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16
Jesus Himself taught the inerrancy of the Bible in John 10:35.
Frankly, I prefer to live my life believing that there is something and Someone bigger than me. When an individual comes to that truth through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ he has indeed made a great and life changing discovery.
_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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17 Comments:
My taxes couldn't go to something better. Because look at the debating about faith that it has caused. Your right another group of scholars will rise up and say that everything in the film is false, and that scripture is rooted in fact. Other Evangelical scholars will arise declaring that only through faith can we began to reason to the truth of Christ. Yet what is wrong with that. Multiple viewpoints to choose from when it comes to faith, now that is the American dream. There are numerous points of truth in their argument. Scripture was written in the 6th and 7th century as far as we know since that is when all our manuscripts are from. We also have evidence that they are based in a long history of oral and scribal tradition. Yet it wouldn't be out of the question to argue that the bible arose out of the a later time period. So I welcome you dissenting to the facts of the film, but not to the film itself.
If you compose a letter of protest to PBS, I will be glad to sign it!!! I'm with you wholeheartedly!!
Wow Gary. I don't think any of us would be swayed by this film but you sure gave us a fresh perspective in how to look at it.
My husband and I read your blogs every morning. Thank you so much. Keep it up.
Thanks for pointing out that worldview really matters. You see what you believe.
Ryan;
The bible was written in the 6th or 7th century ad?
Don't think so. Documents dating from the 2nd century ad are used for the NT and the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm the OT, they were buried in the first century only to be discoverd in the 20th century.
I suggest you do some research and learn the truth not buy into the lies.
"To me, the film seems to highlight the arrogance, elitism and spiritual blindness that is prevalent in these circles."
Gary,
I must very sadly admit that I see reams of arrogance, elitism and spiritual blindness in the Evangelical and Roman Catholic Churchs. So I simply shake my head and ask - what is new?? Seems to be simply human traits... The question is whether the disciples of Jesus Christ can rise above this sort of mud-slinging and in humble submission to God work together to "search out these things to see whether they be so". I do believe there are issues about how tax money is used and whether their are concepts presented that are not necessarily reflective of what a parent would wish their child to experience - in both public and private schools.
The greater issue is whether you are judging these people based on the specific and genuine facts or through your ideology. Apparently it is the former since you simply ranted against them rather than providing even one specific fact upon which you based your harsh judgement and condemnation of other human beings made in the image of God.
Even more distressing is the kind of mindless, knee-jerk responses posted above - though these simply support Jesus assertion that His followers would be dumb as sheep - in contrast to the world. Too bad - the Holy Spirit has a LOT more for all of us then what I am seeing here and what I typically see posted in affirmation of your blogs.
Lastly, you spoke of your "preference". Frankly, no one cares about your preference ANY MORE THAN YOU CARE ABOUT THEIRS. However, the goal is that we all respect one another's preferences - without necessarily acknowledging them for more than what they are. This seems so simply - I have yet to understand why those who presumably follow the Light cannot see it...
Greg
I believe that what this film is called is propoganda. The movie appears to be an aggressive attempt to redefine society's perception of the intelligence of people who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. I know that was a mouthful. :)
It has often been said that if people want to change a culture, they will do it through the media. There is so much more that can be said on that, but I'll leave it to others to comment further.
As for me, I gladly submit to the wisdom and authority of The God who has written His Name on my heart. Many of us have been asleep at the wheel. I pray that He will use this film and other current events to wake us all up.
I agree with Kathy. What is it going to take to wake us up? Gary made reference to the warm water in the kettle a day or so ago. That is so true. We are sometimes like the frog. I so hope we wake up before we boil to death.
I am on the mailing list of several different Christian organizations in this state and I appreciate what each is doing, but I think Gary and Faith and Freedom is the only Christian organization that is really doing anything that will make any difference.
God bless you all.
I am new to this site and have become a big fan. I really like the way you report the news and then give a commentary. Today's blog is outstanding. I have forwarded it to my entire personal list. You are on the mark. thank you so much.
I am living in Bellevue, recently moved from L.A.
God bless you.
Gary, you are doing a great job. Thank you for keeping the faith.
Dino. The Eastside.
I have just read John 10:35. Can someone help me with how Jesus is teaching the inerrancy of the Bible? I do not read the Bible much and admittedly do not understand it all that well.
If Jesus taught that the Bible is with out error that would mean a lot to me.
Renton
It sounds like the film is very accurate. The bible is nothing more than a collection of stories that church leaders later put together for their own purposes. We live in an enlightened time. Get A clue Gary. You are a loon-a-tick.
Seattle
Kathy,
I appreciate your sincerity and concern; however, I think it is unfair for you to characterize this movie as propaganda. On what do you base that judgement?? There are many bases for considering the Bible something other than has traditionally been held since early in Church history.
Indeed if one was to approach this issue strictly scientifically, one may come to conclusions that are simply at odds with what one has been taught concerning the Bible - but none of this has anything to do with the reality of whether Jesus of Nazareth is alive, glorified and sitting at the right hand of God - and this is what actually matters for our salvation.
The fact is that Abraham did not have a Bible but was the Father of Nations - I doubt Elijah carried around a Thomas Nelson NIV with him on his way to call fire out of heaven - BUT he had no problem in obeying God.
Walking in the revelation that we already have and are already called to will result in a far more profound life and community than our present circumstances - perhaps that is where the focus should be??
Best,
Greg
Gary, it's difficult to see your core beliefs challenged in such a substantial way.
I'm sure you and your followers will continue to "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain".
However, history indicates that science will march on and enlighten the rest of us.
Mark in Tigard
The Bible is not evolutionary, but cumulative. God spoke to his prophets. Prophets wrote down what God told them. These writings were added to the collection kept and maintained by the ancient prophets. Mans understanding of God and his truths is probably evolutionary; it grew and evolved with each new revalation from God.
Athiesium is a religion; they must believe ... that there is no God.
The tax revenue, much of it extracted by force from people of faith, was used to promote the athiest religion.
How does one explain the prophecies that we have all seen fulfilled and are being fulfilled to this day if the bible is not true?
The amazing discoveries in the Judean desert since 1940 could destroy the very foundation of this "documentary". One discovery in 'Ebla' (located in Syria) contained over 10,000 clay tablets. Once schollars learned how to translate them the Syrian government kicked out all the researchers and placed this discovery off limits because it confirmed Israel's claims.
The Rock
Renton,
no once answered your question.
I looked up what you are concerned about.
I am no scholar. I am just a believer. So, my 'take' is that Jesus was referring to faith. If He did not do miracles, and one still believes, this is good. If He was seen doing miracles, it's easier to accept Him as the son do God.
Also, notice the 'rejections' that He had portrayed in the next verses. Sigh, nothing has changed. It amazes me how strong this rejection for Him is, when to me His love for ALL of us is so strong! After all, Love is from God--He created it!
Also, look up different Bible versions, and concordances concerning this vs!
Anon 10:45
There are lots of "believers" of very different persuasion. Therefore, your being a "believer" is not compelling to anyone - and, certainly, I hope you don't foist your beliefs on others - though I suspect you do since most "believers" seem to thing they are God's answer to mankind and do the very evil that Christ came to set us free from.
Greg
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