Renaming the NT

[Guest shiloh357]

Sometimes, I think, we do need to read the Bible from the perspective of living an adventure rather than philosophying and theologizing.

Why? The world continuously approaches it from the standpoint of philosophy all of the time. They are constantly challenging the theology it contains. To an extent, they are the ones who make our "philosophying and theologizing" necessary in the first place.

I don't think dumbing the Bible down to something that makes it sound like a children's adventure novel would make a difference. The primary complaint is not that the Bible is too boring but that it is rife with contradictions, it promotes hate, is of human origin, and is nothing but a collection of myths borrowed from other pagan cultures. The problem is not found in what we call the NT or any other part of the Bible; it is the hardness of mens hearts against its message.

I refer to the full quote in my siggy:

"The Bible is not an owner's manual with rules to be followed nor a file of proof texts to wage doctrinal wars. It is the story of God making his reality known in the brokenness of our world. It doesn't end with a book called Revelation, but with a person - Jesus himself! Scripture guides us to him so we can know him (John 5:40)." ~Wayne Jacobsen

Yeah, but we are not talkiing doctrinal wars between believers. I am referring to unbelievers who confront us on the validity, accuracy and truthfulness of Scripture. Their rejection of the Bible is not based on the allegation that the Bible is not not fun enough and doesn't read like a comic book. They have far more serous issues with the Bible and renaming it is not going to resolve those issues.

[Guest shiloh357]

I don't think dumbing the Bible down to something that makes it sound like a children's adventure novel would make a difference. The primary complaint is not that the Bible is too boring but that it is rife with contradictions, it promotes hate, is of human origin, and is nothing but a collection of myths borrowed from other pagan cultures. The problem is not found in what we call the NT or any other part of the Bible; it is the hardness of mens hearts against its message.

Brother, I think you might overestimate the biblical literacy of unbelievers (and far too many believers also)

When I was an atheist, I thought it was just a big book of rules. I honestly had no idea that there were stories of real people in there. The first time I read Genesis I was so surprised of how familiar many of the stories were. Had absolutely no idea that they came from the bible.

I don't think I am overstating their biblical literacy. I have made the case more than once that the majority of objections demonstrate a great deal of biblical illiteracy. We have many skeptics on here now whose skepticism is rooted in fundamentally flawed idea about the Bible and what it says. Most of them miquote and misrepresent the Bible's words all of the time. I would say I have a very firm grasp on their illiteracy.

It is that illiteracy that forces me to go back and review what the Bible says and bring to the front the fact that their best objections stem from a poor understanding of Scripture. It requires some theological prowess to do that. I understand that the gentleman who suggested changing the name to something far more "fun" sounding had only the purest of motives, but his suggestion fails to address the actual root of the problem.

[Guest yod]

I understand that the gentleman who suggested changing the name to something far more "fun" sounding had only the purest of motives, but his suggestion fails to address the actual root of the problem.

It seems like the root of the problem is that the Bible isn't being read.

If putting a different title on it raises interest in the scripturally illiterate, then what could be wrong with that? It doesn't necessarily "dumb down" the content to put a new cover on it, and people who are biblically literate would instantly recognize that it's only a new cover. I would not advocate that all bibles get this treatment, but making a version with a title that describes the content better than the static "New Testament" (which doesn't really convey the concept accurately by itself either) might encourage more people to read it.

We're only dreaming anyway...not like it's going to happen on a large scale...but I don't understand why anyone would be opposed to more transparent packaging?

[Guest shiloh357]

shiloh357, on 05 September 2011 - 12:03 PM, said:

I understand that the gentleman who suggested changing the name to something far more "fun" sounding had only the purest of motives, but his suggestion fails to address the actual root of the problem.

It seems like the root of the problem is that the Bible isn't being read.

My point exactly.

If putting a different title on it raises interest in the scripturally illiterate, then what could be wrong with that? It doesn't necessarily "dumb down" the content to put a new cover on it, and people who are biblically literate would instantly recognize that it's only a new cover.

Well, what is the point of making the title more fun without providing a text that reflects the title?

Changing the title to "The Adventures of Jesus and Friends" may not dumb down the content, but what am I am saying to the atheist about his intelligence? To me , its an insult to the intelligence of the nonbeliever to suggest that they can be suckered into reading the Bible if we make read like a children's adventure novel.

We're only dreaming anyway...not like it's going to happen on a large scale...but I don't understand why anyone would be opposed to more transparent packaging?

I just don't see this as transparent packaging at all.

Have you ever seen prepackaged diet food where the manufacturers try to make it look decadengt and sinful? It's so good you'll think you are cheating on your diet??? Yet when you open it and eat it, it is not what you were expecting based on what the box said. I think that the suggested renaming would misrepresent the content.

[nebula]

"The Bible is ... the story of God making his reality known in the brokenness of our world. It doesn't end with a book called Revelation, but with a person - Jesus himself! Scripture guides us to him so we can know him (John 5:40)." ~Wayne Jacobsen

Yeah, but we are not talkiing doctrinal wars between believers. I am referring to unbelievers who confront us on the validity, accuracy and truthfulness of Scripture. Their rejection of the Bible is not based on the allegation that the Bible is not not fun enough and doesn't read like a comic book. They have far more serous issues with the Bible and renaming it is not going to resolve those issues.

I think our disagreement is over objectives.

I wasn't thinking of apologetics at all!

I'm thinking of the Scriptures being about developing a relationship with the Lord.

Read the Bible as an adventure, and then apply that adventure to your life.

"The Bible is ... the story of God making his reality known in the brokenness of our world."

Remember the Hellenistic vs Hebraic thought? Hebraic thought is about right doing, where Hellenistic is about right thinking.

What is incorrect about reading your Bible as the story of God and His relation to man?

[Guest]

Jesus

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

And Friends

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:17-29

It Doesn't Get Any Better Then The Holy Word Of God

So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath. Judges 7:19-22

[winsomebulldog]

Sorry, I didn't see it that way.

Of course - you guys don't know the person who posted this.

He's got the most warped sense of humor and reality and perspectives and . . . .

But he is very solid in the faith.

Sometimes, I think, we do need to read the Bible from the perspective of living an adventure rather than philosophying and theologizing.

Is he related to wyguy?

That was my first thought as well.