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.

Sure. But what I am looking for is some insight into why the bible specifically is considered a great work of literature/art/inspiration/whatever even if one is not persuaded by the overtly religious message. Even many of those who condemn the religious beliefs that the bible is obvioulsy so closely related to seem to consider it something a bit special just as a book. No? It has doubtless had a profound effect on Western civilisation and thought. But is that just a case of right time right place?From your comments I am getting that you don't actually think the bible is anything that should be considered particulalrly special outside of it's overtly religious teachings. Is that right?

In what sense?Or was that a facetious answer?

Yeah. Too true. But the bible is a book that many seem to consider contains great wisdom. Even many who are not Christians might say that.And we are here at EvC where there are a decent number of biblically knowledgeable people who I thought might be able to explain to me why they persobnally think that is.Apart from anything else I am in one of my less argumentative periods having just finished a couple of lengthy discussions. Sometimes I like to kick back and start a thread where I don't expect to be actually fundamentally disagreeing with anyone but where I can instead try and "get" where others are coming from. This is one of those.Having said that I should also say that these periods tend not to last very long.......

Cheers Buz. I expected you to reply. I must say I also expected someone to mention the sermon on the mount. But nobody has as yet. At the risk of completely derailing my own barely started topic I just wanted to ask: What would you ask for Buz? - If you were given that offer now?

Why do you think it has had such a historical role? Right place right time? Christian missionary methods?Or is there something about the bible (as opposed to other aspects of Christianity) that lit people's imaginations in some way?

That makes a great deal of sense.Cheers.

That was more what I had in mind.But even as things stand I have been reading with interest even if not actually contributing to this thread.

Hello BuzWell if it is the phrase "daily living" that you feel is overly confining feel free to ignore that in favour of "in life" or some other such more flexible alternative.I don't really have any real problem with the definitions of the words you have supplied (even if they aren't strictly the ones I would have gone for) although "true" comes up a lot in your definitions and if taken overly simplistically this will just be another debate about the veracity of the bible. Yep. I did say that.Far be it for me to stand in the way of a theistic punch-up.But I guess what I am looking for is not an argument in favour of the veracity of scripture (we have enough of those already and you are unlikley to convert me Buz). I was looking for the universally human aspects (the human condition - whatever that is?) that we can all appreciate regardless of whether we believe in the prophecies or any of the more literal things you have been pursuing.If a someone who you have no chance of convincing to seek redemption (or whatever asks) "what use is the bible to me?" how would you answer that without trying to convert him?Edited by Straggler, : No reason given.