Atheist Appreciation of Biblical Wisdom and Inspiration

My knowledge of the bible is limited and (it has to be admitted) largely shaped by my exposure in opposition to various EvC style debates. To me it has primarily been a reference source rather than a book that I have read for it’s narrative or wisdom or inspiration. So..Given that I am neither seeking nor likely to be converted, given that I accept the historical importance of the bible to Western civilisation and can appreciate the worth of understanding it in that context - How would those who consider the bible to be a source of wisdom and inspiration suggest that I, as a non-believer, appreciate the more inspirational and timeless wisdom aspects of it?Are there particular passages that I can be directed to as being of significant timeless wisdom and meaning? Are there particular parts that even a die hard atheist can point to as being inspirational and insightful?If those with more biblical knowledge than I were to try and pinpoint the parts of the bible that they think stand out as significant regardless of ones belief which parts would they direct me to? And why?I am not really in a position to dispute people's choices on this so this is more an opportunity for advice and discussion with those I am normally rampantly disagreeing with as far as I am concerned. But biblicists should feel free to rampantly disagree with each other if the mood takes them.Edited by Straggler, : No reason given.

Thread copied here from the Atheist Appreciation of Biblical Wisdom and Inspiration thread in the Proposed New Topics forum.

Hi Straggler. Great topic!At the beginning of King Solomon's reign, he was given the unusual priviledge by God to essentially be granted whatever thing he desired. Instead of asking for wisdom and power, etc he asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule Israel well and justly, etc. Solomon was not only renouned in all of the civilized world for his wisdom, but his kingdom had more wealth and renouned greatness than any before or after him.I would advise the entire book of Proverbs for a wisdom. You, Straggler, are wise to open this topic. Why? Because you, like Solomon are seeking wisdom. Wisdom helps one to apply knowledge. Many knowledgeable folk have little wisdom, but wise folk usually aquire (abe: knowledge) and other good things in life. Edited by Buzsaw, : as noted

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BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW.
The immeasurable present eternally extends the infinite past and infinitely consumes the eternal future.

There is very little in the Bible that is unique or unusual. The basic and IMHO really important passage is of course Matthew 22:36-40

quote:

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36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

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The Bible is just one source for wisdom and inspiration and after reading that one short passage I'd suggest that you look at the works of Confucus and Mencius (the former dealing mostly with the ethics of people while the later deals mostly with the ethics of leaders and rulers) and then the Tao Te Ching.For information on behavior and morality, the Eastern writers and the Western Philosophers are likely better sources. Most of the Bible deals not with behavior or morality but rather with the mythos of creating a Hebrew identity and then later, the creation of a Christian identity.It is interesting to me though that there does seem to be an almost universal enlightening that happened in several waves, the first around the middle to late bronze age and another that begins around two thousand year ago.Edited by jar, : appalin spallin

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

He who tries to gain wisdom from one book is not wise.

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"It appears that many of you turn to Hebrew to escape the English...." -- Joseppi

James is a fun one.Edited by Jon, : No reason given.

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Check out Apollo's Temple!

Hi StragglerMicah 6: 1-8 with the point being made in vs 8.Christianity can be summed up in that last verse and it can be taken as universally good advice.

Very good, Ringo. That's the greatest argument for the Bible (abe: being the) most reliable and substantiated holy book chock full of wisdom, knowledge, history and fulfilled prophecy etc.It is unique; a compilation of 66 books, written over a period of some 1500 years from diverse nations by roughly 40 different writers from all walks of life including lowly self educated shepherds, nomadic prophets dwelling in the wilderness, fishermen, highly educated noblemen and majestic kings. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Edited by Buzsaw, : Noted in context

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BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW.
The immeasurable present eternally extends the infinite past and infinitely consumes the eternal future.

But the canon (your canon, that is) was decided by a handful of men in dresses.

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"It appears that many of you turn to Hebrew to escape the English...." -- Joseppi

And even if what Buz claimed was true, how does that in any way address any value of the content?

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

So full of wisdom, that the first verse that comes to your mind when recommending passages full of wisdom, is one about some guy asking god for wisdom.

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"What can be asserted without proof, can be dismissed without proof."-Hitch.

Yes, Hooah, wise men and women ever learn and ever become wiser.

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BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW.
The immeasurable present eternally extends the infinite past and infinitely consumes the eternal future.

The thread OP calls for references to content. One must read thoughtfully the content of reference to benefit the value of content. Savvy?

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BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW.
The immeasurable present eternally extends the infinite past and infinitely consumes the eternal future.

Not so. It evolved over centuries, beginning with the times of the writers. There's a thead on that ongoing if I recall rightly in which I weighed in on that count.In fact, so what? What is important relative to this thread is whether the source makes one wiser and more knowledgeable as well as where to find the most useful wisdom and knowledge in it.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW.
The immeasurable present eternally extends the infinite past and infinitely consumes the eternal future.

No Buz, I don't savvy. You said: Even if that is true, how does that in any way address any value of the content? How would it make the Bible any more valuable then the Vedas, the Eight Fold Path, the writings of Confucius or Mencius, the Tao Te Ching or the Avestan?

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!