If the Holy Bible is the word of "God" then why has mankind changed these words throughout history? Is this because Mankind is more powerful than "God"? Or..... is it because "God" is a figment of imagination from Mankind?
I personally believe that my Holy Book - "The Lord of the Rings" is more powerful than your Holy Book because mine has Dragons!
Case settled Your Honor!
The Bible hasn't changed. It has merely been translated. If you check the Dead Sea Scrolls, you will find that the Book of Isaiah is almost exactly the same as it is today. The few differences don't change the meaning. The major differences are the differences in the shape of the ancient Hebrew language letters. That's around 2,400 years without change. There is no reason to believe that the rest of the Old Testament hasn't been translated similarly faithfully.
As for the New Testament, by the time of the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., many writings that were blatantly opposed to the truth were floating around. The Council of Nicea took into account the documents that were true to the Old Testament, as well as those that were faithful to what the writings of Jesus' closest apostles had been. These they incorporated into what we know as the New Testament, while throwing out the others. We are blessed that we have the truth.
There are many other writings that have the truth in them. But they also have words that we don't know to be factual or truthful. In addition, the idea is to show people the way to eternal life.
How many more times would you like the truth to be spoken as part of a basic, foundational document? Getting the clear truth out of the Bible is at times difficult enough as it is. Why add a whole bunch of additional truthful documents to the thing? The whole idea is to save people for eternal life. Give them what they need... the Bible as it is.
How can something be "almost exact"? It is either exact or not.... there is no "almost". However, as you have stated that it has not been translated correctly then the book is no more truthful than a Dr Seuss book. His are just more entertaining.
You must be thinking of scientific theories. They are exactly theories, but almost exactly whatever they are theorizing about. However, they are never know to be the truth.
The Bible is the truth, but "almost exact" is the language that many (most?) people who believe science theories to be truth think of them. So, to speak their language should they get into this thread and see my posts, "almost" is part of their language.
Also, if the "Holy Bible" is the truth and you yourself follow the teachings of this book, I would assume you follow each and every direction to the letter. Assuming this to be true, then as your book states:
Luke 14:26 – " If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."
I feel for you that you hate your parents and are spending all of your time hating yourself. If this is the path you have chosen to accept your eternal life, have fun buddy. Whilst you do that I shall enjoy my time doing what I chose to do as my own free will allows.
I follow the teachings of the Bible. How? By faith in Jesus, the exactness of obedience to the Law is within me as a gift, even when I fail at obeying the Law.
The point Jesus was making about hating that you listed above, is the point that Jesus/God/salvation has to be so much more important than all the other things in life, that if you have to choose, you will hate the other things.
Please do not assume you know what I am thinking, It makes you appear more ignorant than your own arguments.
Perhaps if YOU knew what you were thinking, neither of us would appear as ignorant as you are.
I suggest you look at a dictionary to see the meaning of the words "almost" and "exact". It is either one or the other. Therefore, those who translated the original text have added their own "spin" on things. Thus, the work is no longer correct and only a work of fiction.
You are so silly. Does a fire truck cease to do its job because a little of the paint was chipped off? Does a police car cease to carry the cops if one of its gumball lights is broken? The message of the Bible does not change just because a little of the exterior appearance is slightly different.
If the Bible is the "Truth" as you say, then why do you not follow it completely? Is your "God" so impotent that he cannot change a mere mortals thoughts and behaviors?
Take a look at the size and complexity of the bible. Among other things, God is showing us that we, alone, can't follow it completely. We need His help to follow it completely.
How does one do the works of God? By believing in Jesus, the One He sent. When we believe in Jesus salvation, the works of God are attributed to us, through faith, so that we are pure in God's sight.
You state you follow your "God" by faith. What is faith..... a strong belief. This does not make it true or correct. It is your opinion and only belongs to you. Congratulations on your faith.
Thank you for the congrats. A person who believes in something without any evidence behind it, has blind faith. This is like the atheists.
A person who weighs the evidence, and has faith where the strongest evidence exists, has great faith.
The universe and God are far too complex for a person to even begin to understand. This is why we need to believe what God tells us.
I put my faith in my Holy Book - "Lord of the Rings". Has a much better story line and it allows me to do as I please without the need to threaten me with eternal damnation. Plus the ending is so much sweeter. I recommend you read it.
But everybody knows for a fact that
The Lord of the Rings is not truth. Blind faith is foolish faith.
How do you also speak for your "God"? Your argument that the point Jesus was making can only be surmised that you interpret for him? Are you, your "God"? Do you worship yourself? and if so, does that mean you worship and hate yourself at the same time? If so, I would strongly suggest a Psychiatric appointment. Possible Borderline Personality Disorder?
I speak for God because you will not take up His Word and let it speak to you. You can find the same things that I say in God's Word, the Bible.
It isn't my idea that you are headed for Hell. God is holding you alive. But if you really want to push Him away, He will ultimately let you. All that will be left for you, then, is your everlasting dissolution in the Lake of Fire, following the Judgment.