Faith

Israeli Software Resurrects Debate About the Bible’s Authors

Israeli Software Resurrects Debate About the Bible’s AuthorsJERUSALEM (AP) — Software developed by an Israeli team is giving intriguing new hints about what researchers believe to be the multiple hands that wrote the Bible. The new software analyzes style and word choices to distinguish parts of a single text written by different authors, and when applied to the Bible its algorithm teased out distinct writerly voices in the holy book.

The program, part of a sub-field of artificial intelligence studies known as authorship attribution, has a range of potential applications – from helping law enforcement to developing new computer programs for writers. But the Bible provided a tempting test case for the algorithm’s creators.

For millions of Jews and Christians, it’s a tenet of their faith that God is the author of the core text of the Hebrew Bible – the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses. But since the advent of modern biblical scholarship, academic researchers have believed the text was written by a number of different authors whose work could be identified by seemingly different ideological agendas and linguistic styles and the different names they used for God.

Israeli Software Resurrects Debate About the Bible’s AuthorsToday, scholars generally split the text into two main strands. One is believed to have been written by a figure or group known as the “priestly” author, because of apparent connections to the temple priests in Jerusalem. The rest is “non-priestly.” Scholars have meticulously gone over the text to ascertain which parts belong to which strand.

When the new software was run on the Pentateuch, it found the same division, separating the “priestly” and “non-priestly.” It matched up with the traditional academic division at a rate of 90 percent – effectively recreating years of work by multiple scholars in minutes, said Moshe Koppel of Bar Ilan University near Tel Aviv, the computer science professor who headed the research team.

“We have thus been able to largely recapitulate several centuries of painstaking manual labor with our automated method,” the Israeli team announced in a paper presented last week in Portland, Oregon, at the annual conference of the Association for Computational Linguistics. The team includes a computer science doctoral student, Navot Akiva, and a father-son duo: Nachum Dershowitz, a Tel Aviv University computer scientist, and his son, Idan Dershowitz, a Bible scholar at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

The places in which the program disagreed with accepted scholarship might prove interesting leads for scholars. The first chapter of Genesis, for example, is usually thought to have been written by the “priestly” author, but the software indicated it was not.

Similarly, the book of Isaiah is largely thought to have been written by two distinct authors, with the second author taking over after Chapter 39. The software’s results agreed that the book might have two authors, but suggested the second author’s section actually began six chapters earlier, in Chapter 33.

The differences “have the potential to generate fruitful discussion among scholars,” said Michael Segal of Hebrew University’s Bible Department, who was not involved in the project.

Over the past decade, computer programs have increasingly been assisting Bible scholars in searching and comparing texts, but the novelty of the new software seems to be in its ability to take criteria developed by scholars and apply them through a technological tool more powerful in many respects than the human mind, Segal said.

Before applying the software to the Pentateuch and other books of the Bible, the researchers first needed a more objective test to prove the algorithm could correctly distinguish one author from another.

So they randomly jumbled the Hebrew Bible’s books of Ezekiel and Jeremiah into one text and ran the software. It sorted the mixed-up text into its component parts “almost perfectly,” the researchers announced.

The program recognizes repeated word selections, like uses of the Hebrew equivalents of “if,“ ”and“ and ”but,” and notices synonyms: In some places, for example, the Bible gives the word for “staff” as “makel,“ while in others it uses ”mateh” for the same object. The program then separates the text into strands it believes to be the work of different people.

Other researchers have looked at linguistic fingerprints in less sacred texts as a way of identifying unknown writers. In the 1990s, the Vassar English professor Donald Foster famously identified the journalist Joe Klein as the anonymous author of the book “Primary Colors” by looking at minor details like punctuation.

In 2003, Koppel was part of a research team that developed software that could successfully tell, four times out of five, if the author of a text was male or female. Women, the researchers found, are far more likely to use personal pronouns like “she” and “he,“ while men prefer determiners like ”that“ and ”this” – women, in other words, talk about people, while men prefer to talk about things. That success sparked debate about how gender shapes the way we think and communicate.

Research of this kind has potential applications for law enforcement, allowing authorities to catch imposters or to match anonymous texts with possible authors by identifying linguistic tics. Because the analysis can also help identify gender and age, it might also allow advertisers to better target customers.

The new software might be used to investigate Shakespeare’s plays and settle lingering questions of authorship or co-authorship, mused Graeme Hirst, a professor of computational linguistics at the University of Toronto. Or it could be applied to modern texts: “It would be interesting to see if in more cases we can tease apart who wrote what,” Hirst said.

The algorithm might also lead to the creation of a style checker for documents prepared by multiple authors or committees, helping iron out awkward style variations and creating a uniform text, Hirst suggested.

What the algorithm won’t answer, say the researchers who created it, is the question of whether the Bible is human or divine. Three of the four scholars, including Koppel, are religious Jews who subscribe in some form to the belief that the Torah was dictated to Moses in its entirety by a single author: God.

For academic scholars, the existence of different stylistic threads in the Bible indicates human authorship.

But the research team says in their paper they aren’t addressing “how or why such distinct threads exist.”

“Those for whom it is a matter of faith that the Pentateuch is not a composition of multiple writers can view the distinction investigated here as that of multiple styles,” they said.

In other words, there’s no reason why God could not write a book in different voices.

“No amount of research is going to resolve that issue,” said Koppel.

Comments (199)

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  • catndahat
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:22am

    This is fascinating, glad to hear the algorithms verified the human academic work. It should be interesting to note what this software reveals about Shakespeare as well.

    Report Post » catndahat  
  • BOMUSTGO
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:20am

    Has anyone here ever studied the Bible codes? There are some interesting things there.It helped enfluence me to study the Hebrew language…The other day, I was behing a pick-up truck, and his back window had white Hebrew letters on it.It read,”Jehoshua Machiac.”Also, if you write the four letter name of YHWH (Yud Hey Wav Hey) vertically it makes an image of a man.

    Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
  • Konacow
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:15am

    Beckisnuts, he whom denies GOD, GOD WILL deny them the Gates of Heaven, so before it is to late for you, you should find a Bible teaching Christian Church and save your soul from damnation, God Bless you.

    Report Post » Konacow  
  • CaptMickeyd
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:13am

    Let‘s run this program on Obama’s books and see if he truly wrote them, or if Bill Ayers did, as everyone knows.

    Report Post » CaptMickeyd  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:04am

    Anyone who knows the Bible, and God’s Word. Also knows that because Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah, that God closed their minds to Him. So who better to try and prove the Bible a false book. If you don’t believe the Bible and Jesus the Christ. Then you will be believing when the end days do really get here. But by then it will be too late. Contrary to popular belief of many in collective salvation. It’s not going to happen.

    Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:00pm

      What a narrow minded God you have. I send prayers your way that your mind be opened , your God‘s mind and anyone else that believes that God would close anyone’s mind.

      Report Post »  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 7:03pm

      I refuse to think your God is that petty. It seems that I have more respect for him than you. This is comming from a non-Christian by the way.

      Report Post »  
    • Big Book Harry
      Posted on July 1, 2011 at 12:05am

      Isaiah 44
      17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
      he bows down to it and worships.
      He prays to it and says,
      “Save me! You are my god!”
      18 They know nothing, they understand nothing;
      their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,
      and their minds closed so they cannot understand.

      I believe the implication here is that the idolaters have
      closed their own minds because of sinful nature.

      Job 17
      1 1 My spirit is broken,
      my days are cut short,
      the grave awaits me.
      2 Surely mockers surround me;
      my eyes must dwell on their hostility.
      3 “Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.
      Who else will put up security for me?
      4 You have closed their minds to understanding;
      therefore you will not let them triumph.
      5 If anyone denounces their friends for reward,
      the eyes of their children will fail.

      Report Post »  
  • Favored93
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:02am

    @Erabin
    Humanistic morale code? That is funny! Humanism is the belief that we are ourselves “gods” and there is nothing greater. Have you seen the depravity in humanity or are you completely blind? There is no morale code in humanism it’s if it feels good do it. I guess that’s why you want it.

    Report Post » Favored93  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:01am

    Written by men, inspired by God. What’s so difficult about that?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:11am

      Most people do not really want to hear the words of their Creator. That is why they reject the Bible.
      They prefer their own words.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
  • scruffycat
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:53am

    This is fascinating research and could unlock hidden information. Also, this is another reason Israel needs protecting: some very VERY intelligent people there in all branches of science and research. As a scientist, I say: well done, please keep it coming.

    Report Post » scruffycat  
  • dcarva
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:53am

    I saw we go ahead and run it against the Koran and Quran and publish the results to the muslim world. Why not? Why don‘t we run it against Obama’s books as Orwell_Was_An_Optimist said? I think I like this software! Of course, who knows what type of logical errors lurk in the software. As a programmer myself, I am weary to trust any software.

    Report Post »  
  • Swordfisch
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:40am

    Written by many – actually over 40 different authors. No one has ever made any claim otherwise. But what is miraculous about the word of God is this…
    it agrees on all sides, on every topic it is consistent from one side to another and when it comes to prophetic designs of the word of God you cannot argue. Just look at Psalm 22 it was written about 1000 years before Jesus crucifixion, now what is different in our world from 1000 years ago…wow but in Psalm 22 it talks about casting lots(a form of gambling) for Jesus’ clothes. How does that form of gambling survive for 1000 years? Two things are very important here, 1. the author when writing being inspired from God if he put down shooting craps…that would make no sense to him and he would not write it, so God had to use common language that would still be in place 1000 years later for His Sons garments to be gambled on at the foot of the cross.
    Ps 22:18
    18 They divide my garments among them
    and cast lots for my clothing.

    Mark 15:24
    24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

    Final thought…place 50 people in 50 separate rooms and give them topics on Abortion, suicide, adultery, sex before marriage, power of the Holy Spirit, money, and worship.
    How many different opinions might you have? But the word of God handles many many more conversations and it agrees and has one voice but many authors.

    The Bible Still Undefeated Champion of the World

    Report Post »  
    • Country
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:46am

      2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

      I don’t understand why people would want to argue with God.

      Report Post »  
    • hi
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:54am

      Yes, it even says his hands will be pierced and there was no such thing as crucifixion 700 years earlier.

      Report Post » hi  
    • Preacher Cruz
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:35pm

      This! Plus the Bible has been proven correct historically, archaeologically and prophetically many times over. A true, unbiased, evaluation of the Bible leads one inexorably toward the veracity of the texts and its divine authorship. Don’t get me wrong. I am NOT saying God himself wrote the Bible but through the Holy Spirit, he DID in a manner dictate it. This is supported by scripture. 2 Peter 1:21 “…but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” http://kjv-truth-ministries.org/?page_id=154

      Report Post » Preacher Cruz  
  • Country
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:28am

    Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

    I suggest learning the Word because we are in the end days.

    Report Post »  
    • Big Book Harry
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:37pm

      oOf all the major religions of the world they would claim to be the one true religion(no we are)(no we are) truth they can’t all be right they all could be wrong. Fact they all contain truth and error and misconception therefore I personally can’t follow any one religion as a package but I can draw from the truth(being led by the spirit of truth that lives within)and leave the rest apply it into my life and share it with others that they may make thier own evaluation.
      There is only one true religon and that is YOU and your own personal relationship with the CREATOR

      Report Post »  
  • SafeguardOurLiberty
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:16am

    I believe the Bible has some good some good moral points. The Ten Commandments are one. The other writings are by men and their opinions. For instance, you cannot eat shellfish, that is a sin. Or stone your children if they do not respect you. I think that there are passages that can give you inspiration if you are troubled. But many people interpret it differently. I don’t think people should live by the entire Bible,but for the Ten Commandments and some passages of the New Testament. When you start following it word for word, you are following words from men, not from God. Even if God intervened in these men writing the Bible, they still put it in their own interpretation. The Ten Commandments were meant to be followed by God, not everything in the Bible.

    Report Post » SafeguardOurLiberty  
    • hi
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:32am

      Jesus was asked the most important laws. He said to love God with all of your heart and mind. He also said to love others as Christ loves the church. Jesus dying on the cross satisfied the law.

      Report Post » hi  
    • Country
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:49am

      Christians do not stone thier children. Shellfish is a food law because it is bad for our bodies. Just think, if we obeyed the food laws we would not have obamacare. ;)

      Report Post »  
    • hi
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:52am

      Notice He says to love with your MIND. He doesn’t want people to blindly follow, but to have answers as to why you believe. The Case for Christ Lee Strobel is great or Compelling Evidence by MIT Walt Brown to show that the flood happened. Strobel gives evidence in legalese. Brown gives scientific evidence that backs up the Bible.

      Report Post » hi  
    • capecodsully
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:08am

      Until you study the Bible, you will not be able to understand why God said what He said. There is a reason why He told the Israelites coming out of Egypt that they had to keep the sin out from amoung themselves, hence the stonings. That does not mean He is instructing us to stone people today, but the message of accepting sin as OK is applicable today. If you ever saw how quickly two shelfish can clean a filthy ten gallon tank of water, you would understand why God says lay off the shell fish. Study God’s word before you condemn it, read it for yourself and ask the Lord to help you understand it and He will, don‘t take someone else’s word for what is in it, because they never read it and don’t understand it either.

      Report Post »  
    • Big Book Harry
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:27pm

      Don’t forget Matthew 19 and Mark 10, the Q&A with the wealthy man

      Report Post »  
  • Naram-Sin
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:15am

    How does the program determine whether it is looking at a different author as opposed to a different editor?

    Report Post »  
  • affinnity
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:13am

    Let me see if I understand this – Israel needs Christian American dollars and moral support to continue to exist so they spend time and money inventing software that tells Christians that their entire faith is based on a fake book (the Bible). Why?

    Report Post » affinnity  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:28am

      I love your owl picture, but your views are all wrong my friend.
      Can I suggest, without pre-judgment, just read the Bible and let it explain itself. It is not hard and it will lead you to seek out more information by way of a humble study of it’s contents.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
    • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:27am

      Dear AFFINNITY: Idiot!

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:06am

    I know many call the Bible mythology; but they’re wrong as the Holy Spirit will make it all real–once, folks realize they are bankrupt before God and see their need for the forgiveness of sin. Then again, those who pass on the pardon; won‘t know the truth until it hits ’em after death. Ouch!

    Report Post »  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:59am

      Troninthemorning…You are so right. There is nothing like being filled with the Spirit. It is a moment you never forget.Your life changes so much at that point.You begin to see things the way GOD sees them.

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
  • Orwell_Was_An_Optimist
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:56am

    Can we all take up a collection and put “Dreams of My Father” through this, so we can get at the Bill Ayers authorship problem, once and for all?

    Count me in at a $100 donation.

    Report Post » Orwell_Was_An_Optimist  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:51am

    God spoke to the writters, and they listened.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • coloradolifer
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:06am

      Amen, Nobaloney! Thank you for saying in a few words what the others have attempted to say in volumes.

      Report Post » coloradolifer  
  • beckisnuts
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:47am

    Of course the Bible was written by many different people, without any supernatural help. Part of the previous sentence has now been proven, and the remainder will be proven in the future.

    Report Post »  
    • Erabin
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:56am

      You can’t prove the supernatural. The burden of proof is on the one making the claim anyway.

      Report Post »  
    • Warrior_22
      Posted on July 3, 2011 at 1:45pm

      Erabin is excruciatingly correct, no one can prove the supernatural, nor the lack of it. To prove the later in fact would have to include an all complete and omnipresent knowledge of ALL things natural, in all the universe, over all time AS well as some form of “super” natural observance – which lets face it, we men do not have. One however claiming that a supernatural does exist, merely needs to draw from the many many MANY unexplanable “natural” things, the vast expanse of space, and the impossibility of life on earth is one example. Irreducible complexity, natural law, subatomic physics, all things never have our greatest minds been able to explain.
      God is real. There – I saved you a lot of time.

      Report Post »  
    • beckisnuts
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:09am

      Exactly. If you claim something invisible exists, it’s your job to prove it. Science can do it with magnetism for example. But look at all the problems religion causes – look at the division Glenn alone is attempting to cause. Superstition is passe. Religion gives a fool an excuse to do foolish things.

      Report Post »  
    • hi
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:48am

      It’s pretty amazing how the Bible was written hundreds of years, but it has a beginning and an end and all of the middle fits together.

      Also, 3/4 of the Bible is prophecy and Christ fulfilled 300 specific things written about him 500 years earlier.

      Fulfilled prophecy is evidence of divine intervention. Man cannot predicted 300 specific things someone is going to do 500 years from now.

      Report Post » hi  
    • Favored93
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:15am

      You are lying to your self and to all of us when you say there is no God. I believe you are just angry at Him, why I don’t know but it is obvious you are. You can not be angry with someone that does not exist.
      I pity you. I don’t know who how or why you are hurting but it is obvious you are.
      I am praying for you.
      The fool has said in his heart there is no God.
      Look at creation. There is more then enough evidence to say God is who He says He is.
      The atheists want us to believe I can take a grenade and toss it into a junk yard and BANG I have a cherry red hummer. I just don’t have enough faith for that! You free thinkers have opened your minds so wide your brains are falling out!
      Once again I am praying for you.

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:34am

      The trolls are right though, there is no “proof” that they will accept. They choose to deny God and that is God’s will. That is why we are all here. God has provided us enough information to seek Him out. Those of us that have found Him ARE the proof. We are the living proof. We do not need proof because we know. They cannot see. It really is that simple…

      I will not play that game. God does not wish us to “prove” Him to others, merely to spread the gospel message. It is up to them what they will do with it. My advice to them is to ask themselves how they got here. Explore evolution. Not the Discovery Channel crap, I mean read what the real evo scientists say about it. Prove evolution! In the end you have to believe something. God is the logical choice despite what the secular world thinks it knows. You find God, He is not going to find you!

      Report Post »  
    • Gideon300
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:13pm

      Nutz,

      There is no getting around the proof of the Bible:

      Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. The Isaiah scroll dates to 200 BC, and is the exact text we read today. Not to mention the Old Testament books in the Septuagint, which date to 300 BC.
      Read all of Isaiah 53:
      http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2053&version=NIV
      There is only one person in history that matches this description.

      Isaiah 66 states Israel would be taken away from being a nation and be restored in one day. On May 14, 1948 President Truman recognized (this normally takes days to weeks) Israel as a nation in just 11 minutes after their declaration of independence.

      Psalm 83 tells of a coalition of nations that would come together to destroy Israel. This confederacy had never existed…until 1945! Those exact nations formed the Arab League.

      Daniel 9:24-27 (again we have copies that date back to 300 BC!): Once you do the math for this prophecy it tells of the exact date Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. Absolute, concrete proof of Jesus being the foretold Messiah!!!

      Bible predicts the forming of a one world government, happening now. Coming together of religions, happening now. A one world currency, happening now. Israel reborn as a nation (Isaiah 66, Ezekiel 37)

      But you won’t read this or research. You will continue to wallow in your blindness….

      Report Post »  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:37pm

      How about the evidence of a church at every corner? How about the billions of people who believe in God? How about the desire of man to worship a deity? How about the lack of reasonable explanation of the universe? And since you godless athiest want our laws and tax codes to revolve around your religion, I believe the burden of proof is on you. And before you say “you can’t prove a nagative (which you can actually), I will answer “you can’t disprove a positive” so we can skip the circular reasoning.

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • MrBungle
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:05pm

      I don’t understand this whole Isaiah prophecies thing… that was written in 300BC so why is it beyond possibility that the story about Jesus fulfilling said prophecies 300+ years later could not simply be written in such a way that the character in the story (Jesus) was said to fulfill said prophecies?

      Report Post »  
    • beckwasfox
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 6:38pm

      Mr. Bungle-Please examine the abundance of evidence that show the Gospel accounts to be true. Then you can go back and review the ancient prophecies concerning Christ. It is astounding! There are prophecies in Genesis that predict the coming of Christ. One of which is the Geneology of Adam through Noah. Why were the followers of Jesus so willing to die painful deaths? It is because they saw a resurrected Savior.

      Report Post » beckwasfox  
    • Big Book Harry
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:19pm

      I would rather live believing there is a God and die and find out there is not one, than to live believing there is no God and die and find out there is one.

      Report Post »  
  • Joseph28
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:44am

    Anything beyond the old testament and the teachings of Jesus is just speculation amongst these scholars.

    Report Post » Joseph28  
  • santramir
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:42am

    dismassmedia disidiotize yourself and enjoy being free again: http://www.realzionistnews.com/?p=34

    Report Post » santramir  
  • sWampy
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:41am

    Why do we spend so much time nit picking the Bible, clearly it‘s a good moral code that if everyone would follow it’s teaching, the world would be a much better and freer place.

    Report Post »  
    • BeerSnob
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:47am

      I agree and I’m an athiest…. The bible DOES present a good moral code to run a society on.

      Report Post » BeerSnob  
    • Erabin
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:52am

      Except for all that putting your child to death if he disrespects you thing and all that other jazz.

      I prefer a humanistic moral code, thank you very much.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:56am

      @Swampy:

      This is my opinion here, and I will say as a Chaplain my views are obviously slanted; I feel that it coems to the matter of each persons desires to be in control of their own lives and destiny. That at some time or other, most of us have not had the to-the-foundations earth-shaking event that makes us see who we are in reality.

      We then find out our true selves, and realize the need for something greater, or deny it in the totality.

      This nitpicking is the outpouring of it, as in being able to deny something is, to them, have control of it and over themselves.

      Again this is just my opinion on the matter.

      The Good Book is a good and morale code to follow for those so choosing to do so; indeed the world would be a better place then if more would understand and stick with it.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Favored93
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:53am

      @BeerSnob
      You are the first atheist I have seen say such a thing. I think you are sadly wrong of coarse but find you refreshingly kind in your statement. Wish all atheists talked and acted as you do.

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:21am

      The Bible does NOT offer a good moral code. Jesus was not a “good guide.” Examples:

      1. “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and HIS OWN LIFE also, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)—-Great Family Values there, huh? This is evil madness!

      2.Compare these two preachments from Jesus (a). Matthew 5:22 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.“ So calling people ”fools” is cause for damnation. Yet, Jesus later says in (b) Matthew 23:17, “You blind FOOLS! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?”—So according to Jesus (all in the same book), He himself is damned because he called someone a “fool.”—-What a fool!

      3. Matthew 12:30 “He that is not with me is against me.”—Sounds like your run-of-the-mill demagogue here.

      4. Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”—There you go, folks. Jesus hates the free market and capitalism. Get rid of you bank accounts, possessions, your food supply and an

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:48am

      Mr Butcher,
      sir,
      Puh leez….

      I know you are much more intelligent than this, why do you insult our intelligence?

      Report Post »  
    • I Hear the Wolves
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:31pm

      @MrButcher

      The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

      1 Corinthians 2:14

      Enough said…

      Report Post » I Hear the Wolves  
    • AmericanSince1619
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:41pm

      @MRBUTCHER

      “1. “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and HIS OWN LIFE also, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)—-Great Family Values there, huh? This is evil madness!”

      The word translated as hate is in the Greek text is μισεῖ, transliterated from the greek as miseó.

      miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.

      Lk 14:26: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (3404 /miséō, ‘love less’ than the Lord) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (NASU).

      [Note the comparative meaning of 3404 (miséō) which centers in moral choice, elevating one value over another.]

      A more contemporary translation would be “If any man come to me, and does not regard as inferior his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and HIS OWN LIFE also, (compared to me) he cannot be my disciple.”

      In fact here is the same verse in the Contemporary English Version of the Bible:
      You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.

      Should I bother cont

      Report Post » AmericanSince1619  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:46pm

      HA!

      Now we get down to it: Translations.

      Which Bibles are you folks using?

      Never mind that—Why are we arguing about a supposed God who can‘t say what he means and and can’t make sure it never alters through the ages?

      @trolltrainer—hang with me here.

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • ChristianLayman
      Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:54am

      Okay, you’re making the assumptions that the translations we have now are somehow completely different then what translations from hundreds of years said, or even down to the earliest manuscripts. The burden of proof then is on you to show significant differences in the languages as well as translators intent vs. traditional teaching passed on by the Church.

      The translations of today carry the same message as they did from a thousand years ago, to two thousand, etc. Textual variances may exist but it is not nearly enough to significantly alter the message in any way, shape or form.

      I have several different translations myself and enjoy reading them. I can tell you that the Jewish Tanakh has the same books as the Protestant Old Testament and there are no major faith shattering differences. Genesis still reads like Genesis, Moses still leads the Israelites out of Egypt, David is still anointed King.

      Report Post »  
    • Big Book Harry
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:03pm

      I am a man of faith and I have reseached scripture harnessing the spirit of truth that lives from within.
      The old covenenant to the twelve tribes that came out of Egypt through Moses and applied to the geneology of Abraham as the “Chosen people”.(His desendents)
      The new covenenant came through Jesus Christ by the attonement provided on the cross and salvation through faith in the resurection, (Romans 10:9) now called chosen people(elect) from faith. (spiritualy Isrealites through Abrahams faith) True faith will cause you to follow the leading of the indwelling spirit to fulfill Gods purpose in your life. Now there is the little matter of free will, are you going to choose the sinfull nature of the flesh (pride,anger,greed,gluttony,lust,envy,sloth) or follow the leading of the indwelling spirit of God that lives in you to bear fruit not born of the mind but of the HEART.

      Report Post »  
    • OneFunR6
      Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:04am

      Oh, Swampy,……….

      don’t point out the obvious…..

      “libs” hate the obvious!

      Report Post » OneFunR6  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:39am

    This is a matter of conjecture and debate that has raged on for centuries now; let everyone make up their own minds – the fact of the good book being written over centuries of time, as inspired by the Spirit of God Himself, and remaining consistent is the center of the matter.

    It tells of the living God, and His Son lord Jesus Christ along with their efforts for salvation being open to all of mankind.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • I Hear the Wolves
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:05pm

      It was likely written over a period of 1,500 years, by over 40 people, and yet there is a cohesion and uniformity to it that would be impossible to achieve without divine inspiration. That is what makes it so incredible.

      Report Post » I Hear the Wolves  
    • I Hear the Wolves
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:12pm

      @MrButcher

      The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

      1 Corinthians 2:14

      Enough said…

      Report Post » I Hear the Wolves  
    • bets
      Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:29pm

      Amen

      Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:37am

    God love the scholers, but I think I will stick to learning the “big ten plus one” The one, the new commandment from Christ to love one another. It is a lifetime job for me, but I’m trying!

    Report Post »  
    • hi
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:43am

      It is impossible for man to produce the fruits consistently. Abiding in Christ through reading The Word and through prayer, produces the Fruits of the Spirit in you.

      An analogy is you are a grape. If the grape not attached to the vine, it shrivels up. But, if it is attached, the vine provides nourishment and produces the fruit. A grape doesn’t try to produce itself.

      The Fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control.

      So, if one wants to love others, read The Bible!

      Report Post » hi  
    • I Hear the Wolves
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:02pm

      @HI

      That’s not really a very accurate analogy. Especially since Christ gave the correct version of that parable. He said “I am the vine, and you are the branches.” So, we are not grapes…we are supposed to produce grapes, through the “nourishment” of the “Vine”. And if we do not produce “good fruit”, we will be cut off and cast into the fire. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

      Report Post » I Hear the Wolves  
    • hi
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:17pm

      Good point.

      However, if we are a branch apart from the Vine, we cannot produce fruit.

      Therefore,being connected to the Vine produces the fruit. The branch cannot produce it on its own.

      Report Post » hi  
    • jkendal
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:19pm

      I think we’re splitting hairs here. The main thrust is that the Bible is the true Word of God, written down by man through the filling of the Holy Spirit. People are gonna believe what they want to believe. You either trust Jesus for your eternal salvation or you don’t. That’s what we should be concentrating on.

      Report Post »  
    • I Hear the Wolves
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:37pm

      @JKendal

      I don’t consider it to be splitting hairs. This is not semantics; there is an incredibly important distinction being made here. That we ourselves are not the “fruit”. We must abide in Christ in order that we might produce our own fruit, by His spirit. A tree that produces no fruit is quickly cut down and thrown in the fire. “By their fruits you will know them,” and by OUR fruits God will judge us.

      Report Post » I Hear the Wolves  
    • mils
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:14pm

      well the whole bible thing might be a little easier to swallow if “MAN” had not revised it when ever they saw fit….revision after revision , changing with the times, deleting important stuff, adding their own thoughts..so please quit telling everyone the bible is the word of god…it’s the word of what ever church was in control at that time… the grape stuff makes sense..the book doesn’t

      Report Post »  
    • I Hear the Wolves
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:32pm

      What revisions are you talking about? The translations might be updated from time to time to adjust for modern language: but things being added or deleted? I think not. Sure, there are some versions, promoted by fringe groups, that are not based on legitimate exegesis (such as the New World Translation used by Jehovah’s Witnesses), but I think you should do some homework before you start making groundless accusations. The mainstream English language translations of the Bible are based on manuscripts that are thousands of years old, and many predate Christianity by several centuries. No, my friend, you are very incorrect.

      Report Post » I Hear the Wolves  
  • NEAF
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:37am

    Great!

    Report Post » NEAF  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:01am

      Leave the Bible alone and instead go after the koran OR are you scared you’ll get your head chopped off. I think thats it

      Report Post »  
    • hi
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:29am

      Dealer: 3/4′s of the original Koran was intentionally burned because Mohammad contradicted himself over and over. He rambled on and on did not make sense.

      Report Post » hi  
    • GodBlessAmericaandIsrael
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:39am

      I agree, go after the koran. I have a strange suspicion, one may find that it is written entirely by a single person. Satan himself.

      Report Post » GodBlessAmericaandIsrael  
    • AmericanSince1619
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:23pm

      “I agree, go after the koran. I have a strange suspicion, one may find that it is written entirely by a single person. Satan himself.”

      The koran as self described as having been written by a single person. More precisely the koran says it was written by God and delivered to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.

      All of which I think is complete BS. What would be interesting though is if the software indicated it was written by many, even if it didn’t, I think the self described origin of the koran along with it’s message is complete BS.

      This is why I so strongly believe that Christians must firmly come together and understand Christ’s commandment of love, not only for God, but love for mankind. A house divided cannot stand and it is imperative that Christians agree on the doctrine of love.

      This is NOT advocating socialism, you can still believe this doctrine and not be a socialist. Stealing from one man to pay another, even is agreed to by the majority is still stealing. Being kind to one man at the expense of another is not being kind to all men.

      It is only fully understanding that Christ’s doctrine is one of love, that you can fully see that the koran is the opposite doctrine, a doctrine of hate.

      Report Post » AmericanSince1619  
    • TMink
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 2:03pm

      I understand that academics are interested in linguistic analysis of the Bible. But that is a different focus than those of us who are seeking to be obedient to God through the Scripture. It is my hope that many of the academics will be drawn into relationship with our God through their studies. But theirs is a different purpose, so it has different results.

      Trey

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:37am

    The Bible is real from Old to New testament; you can’t have one without the other. Christ is the Saviour of the world and we are shut up to the cross to make a decision for or against Him. Ah the simplicity of belief and faith.

    Report Post »  
    • hauschild
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:47am

      I can’t imagine a bigger waste of time and money. I wonder how much this one cost the taxpayer in grant monies???

      Report Post »  
    • beckisnuts
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:48am

      The paper is real, the stories inside are myths.

      Report Post »  
    • Mandors
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:58am

      So they spent all this time and money to find out what they pretty much already knew. Great.

      Next up: the latest video camera will prove the sky is blue.

      Report Post » Mandors  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:02am

      if only beckisnuts were a myth.
      May God show you the error of your ways.

      interesting story.

      Having many years of software development experience, my first thought is whether the algorithm was developed without reference to The Bible, or, whether the existing understanding of The Bible was used when developing the algorithm. Is the algorithm truly unbiased, is the question.

      Otherwise, it’s an interesting article, but doesn’t change anything.

      As the inspired Word of God, it actually has ONE Divine Author, Who worked through multiple hands.
      Inspiration is not dictation, so the individual‘s ’voice‘ or ’style’ would be apparent. (At least that’s MY belief)

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:18am

      All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
    • tersky
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:32am

      It is mind-blowing to me that people ever believed the Bible was written by God Himself and not a series of holy men (and women?), INSPIRED by God. What I have been taught in Sunday School and Seminary my whole life is that Moses is assumed to have written the first five books and some of the Psalms. David wrote most of the Psalms. Somebody, probably NOT Solomon wrote Song of Solomon. Isaiah, or someone close to him, probably wrote Isaiah. Jeremiah, or someone close to Jeremiah, wrote Jeremiah. Micah wrote the Book of Micah, etc. That’s why the books have different names.

      To me, this is a DUH! People who think God Himself wrote or dictated the whole thing and it should thus have the same voice… I dunno… Maybe they should convert to Islam. That book probably has one author: Mohammed. But gee, it’ll pass the test and are people are going to say, “Oh look, Islam is correct and Judaism and Christianity are wrong” all because one PERSON wrote the Koran and many contributed to the Bible?

      I find the whole train of thought here terribly annoying.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:40am

      @hauschild
      I can’t imagine a bigger waste of time and money. I wonder how much this one cost the taxpayer in grant monies???
      ——————————————————————–
      It was developed by an Israeli team. I don’t think it cost US anything, except if we gave them the money as part of something else.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:40am

      I wonder what they‘d find if they ran it on all of Obama’s books?

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Favored93
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:46am

      @beckisnuts
      wow you just don’t give up do you? lol How can you be angry at some one you don’t believe in?

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:25am

      Myths NUTZS samething

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • AmericanSince1619
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:15pm

      @tersky

      Whether or not the circa 325 council at Nicaea determined the first cannon or if Eusebius at Caesarea determined it, somewhere at sometime, the first canon was decided and the first Bibles were printed. The Nag Hamadi library at the very least shows that there were texts included or excluded by man, the Apocrypha also indicate decisions by man for inclusion or exclusion. The Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus; the three oldest Bibles, do not all contain the same material.

      Were all these decisions inspired by the Divine?

      In any case, there are some internal inconsistencies in the texts that are in the current cannon. Christianity could stand alone on the words of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which have significant overlap and reinforce each other. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have always been the central keystone to the New Testament and it’s variations from the Diatessaron to the “Jefferson Bible”.

      In any case the words of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John must be the final authority in any conflicting texts, for without them the informational old testament and the other books in the new testament have no substance to Christians.

      If a Christian cannot accepts the words of Christ, what point is there as a Christian, in accepting other parts of the Bible?

      Report Post » AmericanSince1619  
    • bombshelterbob
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:21pm

      Dear ATI

      If they ran the program on Obama’s book, they would find just what you and I would find if we wasted the time to read them; they would find pure unadulterated B**SH**.

      Bachmann 2012

      Report Post » bombshelterbob  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:31pm

      Hey BeckIsNuts, too bad archeology, science, history agrees with the Bible and not you. “The natural can not understand the things of God” Seems you fall in that category or maybe “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God”

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • CREUSLY
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:32pm

      I’m a Christian, and I believe the Bible was written by different people but all were inspired by God..same as most…but I’m a huge science nerd, so I find this to be very interesting, though it told them what they already knew..they didn’t know that it was going to…you could compare it to using a calculator to check your math..and the fact that it’s making scholars and other folks talk about the Bible is a good thing…as long as we don‘t get all heated and start callin’ each other names and whatnot..and it’s not a waste of money for them to have created this thing, it can be used for different purposes, they just tested it on the Bible..

      Report Post »  
    • melmatmic
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:36pm

      Tersky is right. The Bible was not written by God but men wrote the Bible inspired by God. Unfortunately, some men in the past decided exactly what to include and what to omit from the Bible. Some of what was left out may have been due to repetition or because it didn’t suit their personal beliefs at the time. Men are human and make mistakes and translaters translate things differently, so this is a big waste of money to tell us something we already knew.

      Report Post » melmatmic  
    • SacredHonor1776
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:32pm

      Beckisnute try burning a Koran and a Bible you’ll soon see how real the isla osiers are.

      Report Post »  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:52pm

      So What: Who’s to say that God was not whispering into the ears of those Scribes.

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • 70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:58pm

      @dorkisnuts
      I’m sure you tell your racists friends of black liberation theology that they worship an imaginary God. If we go by the atheist survival of the fittest and things must serve humanity. We would see the return of homosexuals, people that have mental and physical disabilities imprisoned or in mental institutions or killed.etrc… There is nothing new under thew sun here. You want to repeat the dark ages of atheism and you get the same result every time. Proving man is depraved and missing something. That is the true God through Jesus. How could natural selection create all different races, nationalities of people all in need of something that don’t exist it cant. It would have created man to not desire or need a God. Let an atheist nation Go to war against a nation that believes in a higher power and I no which people will fight harder and which would lie cheat and steal for self preservation.
      TEA!!!

      Report Post » 70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:59pm

      @ beckisnuts………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. The paper is real, the stories inside are myths
      .
      Thank you for sharing your opinion with us as it is your right, as it is mine to disagree with you.

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 2:12pm

      Co written by the HOLY GHOST, A ghost writer. What dose it matter?

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 2:46pm

      Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:40am

      I wonder what they‘d find if they ran it on all of Obama’s books?
      ————————————————————————————————————————————————–
      They would would absolutely determine that Bill Ayers wrote Obama’s “Dreams From My Father”.

      Relating to the Bible, we already know that God did NOT write it, but that He INSPIRED it through the Holy Spirit. He simply revealed the moral of each independent authors particular predisposition for individual stylization. There’s really nothing anti-Biblical, or anti-God in this story.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • Joey8
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 2:49pm

      So the debate shouldn’t be over who wrote it, but who collected them all and decided what should go in and what shouldn’t go in.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 2:53pm

      Torah was dictated to Moses in its entirety by a single author: God. A real God or their term for a supreme being they identified to help answer questions regarding the world around them. Really not sure why people ignore the similar behavior being undertaken by numerous ancient tribes all over the world. That is to create supreme beings (single or multiple Gods) to explain the unexplainable and protect them from harm based on some form of worship.

      Report Post »  
    • Guardog44
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:04pm

      Beckisnuts I have a thought for you. I know you are to intelligent to ever make a mistake. However could there be just the slightest possibility there is a God. Where will that leave your arrogant self. One day we will all know the truth dont let it be when its to late.

      Report Post »  
    • smallstuff7
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:16pm

      This is actually a very good idea. We really need them to check Barack Obama‘s first 2 books against Bill Ayers’ books. There is much talk that Ayers wrote DREAMS FROM MY FATHER.” Ayers praised the book and trashed Obama’s second book. We need this technology and we need to know the truth about “DREAMS” authorship.

      Report Post »  
    • corbecket
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Have any of the detractors of this research actually taken the time to read the paper that they, supposedly, know is false.

      Anyone?

      I thought not. Might as well be a bunch of Muslims.

      Report Post » corbecket  
    • watchmany2k
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:31pm

      LOL, Just in time for GBTV, We’ll be able to use the software to identify
      the lefty comment trolls and pin their racist, hateful comments to known Soros pundits,
      or identify the sexually ambiguous, thirty-something, brilliant still living with mom.

      Then again, all we got to do is google their tweets LMAO….

      Report Post » watchmany2k  
    • jonnydoe
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:04pm

      I accept the idea that those who wrote scripture were moved by the Holy Spirit. I think the phrase “God-breathed” says a lot. The human authors were deeply touched by the authenticity of their encounter with God and I believe they encountered the living “breathing” God in a manner where He actually manifested more of Himself than was typical which was part of why it “inspired” them to share with the rest of us. However, what they wrote and what they understood was nothing more than the sense THEY made of the encounter.

      The bible is therefore a book that allows us to examine for ourselves just how certain people responded to an unusual and highly authentic encounter with YHWH.

      But this idea that the text is not only authentically true but also somehow inerrant or credible in every assertion, is just wishful thinking by people who are intimidated by the task of taking responsibility for their own perspective and therefore are hoping God will help them bypass the process of making sense of things. The popular view of scripture stunts our genuine growth toward God and makes us use the authors of scripture as our filter or mediator instead of taking up the opportunity to encounter God for ourselves first hand.

      And today Christ lives in the believer. Talk about God-breathed! WOW!

      –Bob Greaves

      Report Post » jonnydoe  
    • beckisnuts
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:09pm

      Thanks for all the responses to my post here. I would enjoy answering each one but am not really inclined to spend the time doing so at this moment, so please feel free to email me as usual at beckisnuts77@yahoo.com and we’ll continue our conversation in a while. Thanks again.

      Report Post »  
    • Right_on_the_Left_Coast
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:26pm

      Why is it that the journalists chosen to cover these religious stories always clearly have zero understanding of the religious background? What group has ever claimed that the entire Pentateuch was “dictated” to Moses directly by God?

      …Really? The entire history contained in Genesis, genealogies included? No chance anyone was keeping track of that history before Moses? C’mon! Many Jews and Christians believe that Moses was the one who wrote all that down, and certainly the rest of the Pentateuch. But much of that history before Moses was maintained through oral tradition. And much of Moses communication was done through his brother Aaron THE PRIEST.

      So should we be surprised by a priestly voice and a non-priestly voice? No. Does any of that hurt the Pentateuch’s credibility or divine authority? No.

      Report Post » Right_on_the_Left_Coast  
    • Big Book Harry
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:04pm

      @beckisnuts
      I would rather live believing there is a God and die and find out that there isn’t, than
      live believing there isn’t a God and die and find out there is.

      Report Post »  
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