Flaws in the Scriptures

Okay Paul,Point by point tell me where you disagree with my response. Then we will take it from there? (I know you have already...Do it again).Apostle

Zhimbo and Revenge of Reason,This is in reference to both of your concerns.I think part of what has given rise to some of the numerical discrepencies is that unlike the English language, the Jewish people did not have a set of numerals. Consequently, not unlike English, larger numbers require additional words. Although there was no absolute rule, more often than not, the largest number would appear first, and then the next number and so on. However occasionally these numbers would be written in reverse order. (i.e: 12 years and 300 years).When one examines the Biblical Hebrew or Ancient Jewish alphabet, it becomes easier to see how transcribing documents from one to the other could become very confusing and lead to copying errors. (Such errors are little different from a misspelled word in a text). Many of the words are very similar in spelling and even some of the letters are.One must also keep in mind that later generations were not as familiar with the ancient alphabet as the original authors were. Indeed there are mistakes in the manuscripts but it does not follow that these mistakes are also in the original copies.The following are some difficulties based on numerical issues;
- 2 Samuel 8:4
- Acts 7:14
- 1 Corinthians 10:8
- 2 Samuel 24:24
- 1 Kings 4:26
- 1 Chronicles 22:14
- 1 Samuel 13:5
- 2 Samuel 24:9
- 2 Samuel 24:13
- Numbers 25:9
- 1 Samuel 13:1First of all not all of these are errors. Indeed some can be explained. However, some are numerical errors, and we know that they are errors because they are contradicted by another books version of the account. How do we know which one is right? We make a gues based on historical fact and logic. We may also check in older Bibles. How do we know these errors were not in the original one.
We are not certain but if the errors are not present in older documents it is certainly realistic that they are not present in the oldest source.Hopefully this has been some help. Thank you for you patience. I do not get a chance to respond every day as I would like to at times.Apostle

ConsequentAthiest
The senseless criticisms against my character are, of coarse, ridiculous. Any questions that you may have must be posed in such a way that I do not begin to doubt your own intentions.
Apostle

Zhimbo, perhaps 'criticisms against my character' does not quite describe it. Let me say what she, or he does do.
CA responds with sarcasm to one of my points calling it 'brilliant.' The individual also takes issue with my next point saying it is 'neither realistic nor relevent.'
I do not display my beliefs or attempts at discussion on here for individuals to mistreat like that. If someone challenges me on something I will take the time and get them an answer. I dont believe that they will always accept it, but I do expect a higher standard of professionalism.
You did not comment on my previous posting, in which I attempted to answer some of your concerns. Do you take issue with anything I wrote?
Apostle[This message has been edited by Apostle, 12-19-2003]

ZhimboMy reason for concluding that the original Scriptures were without error come from (besides my belief that the Scriptures are God's infallible word) the fact that errors do diminish as we encounter older and older writings.To document this let me provide the following example. Earler on in this topic an individual posted some references as evidence of errors in the Scriptures. I concluded that it was a copyist error.Then an individual with knowledge of the Hebrew texts provided information that showed in fact that his earlier Hebrew version contained enough extra information that made the two verses easily reconcilable. (post 60). This was consistent with my conclusion that there was simply a copying error.I don't know if you are missing something. You seem to have a pretty clear understanding of the issues. Perhaps I am not explaining well enough. In any event I still have not seen an error that would lead me to the conclusion that the Bible is not God's word.Apostle

Willowtree,
Interesting response. As of yet, no individuals have highlighted any miracle as a flaw in the Scriptures. We will see if this becomes an issue. But of coarse, any individual who belives in God should have no difficulty accepting that he can preform miracles.
As far as cheap shots and jokes, they have no place here and indeed people should be more respectful.
Apostle