Does It Matter That Biblical Authors Lied
Pseudepigraphy, authors who pretended to be people more famous than they themselves were, has been known to those who critically review the Bible for a long time. It is not considered an important form of dishonesty by some scholars.
There is an entire society of scholars devoted to pseudepigraphy. Some prefer not to label it with the blunt but accurate term, forgery. Biblical scholar, Bart Ehrman, wrote and entire book about Biblical pseudepigrahy but used the term forgery which is both accurate and more common. It was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
Ehrman says he has received steady criticism for using the term "forgery." Other scholars try to make the case that in antiquity pseudepigraphy was a culturally legitimate way of communicating the faith to others. Ehrman, however, says the practice should be called what is was, forgery.
He says it is not true the practice was approved of in the ancient culture. Instead, it was condemned in the same way it is today. There are many surviving documents condemning forgery. The group who assembled the Bible simply chose to ignore the moral condemnation in their own time of this practice.
That writers violated the moral standards of ancient times as well as those of today makes one wonder how the Christian faith can be considered a source of moral standards. It seems anything but that. Add to that our evidence that much of the Bible which purports to be history is simply created fiction.
As to how scholars, today as well as in ancient times, could identify real from fake authors we need merely to look at the case from a few years ago involving serial killer, Ted Kaczynski. He published various essays. His brother recognized the thought pattern and Kaczynski was convicted.
There are books in the Bible whose authors claim to have been Paul. Analysis tells scholars they were written by others.
Forgery remains a large part of the Bible.
How do we know you aren't Ilhan Omar, for example? Or Mrs. Lindgren who decided to hijack your account today? This whole blog could be a forgery. I could be typing this message to Jon Lindgren but, in reality, Heidi Heitkamp could be the author to whom I respond. For that matter, how do you know who I am? This could be a case of double-forgery!
ReplyDeleteWhat is not a forgery is the FACT that over a billion people on earth profess Christianity as their religious belief. They base that on any number of factors. Similar statements could be made of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists.
I know the Bible is the inspired Word of God. I know through Faith. As for forgery, the important question to ask is whether the gospels or epistles which bear the names of the authors misrepresent what the authors taught, observed or spoke.
"What is not forgery is the FACT that over a billion people on earth profess Christianity as their religious belief." You have played that card many times here. It is a losing hand, however, because you have to admit that if the only Christian left in the world was you, you would have to agree that the material in the Bible contains forgery. It is a FACT the a majority of younger people do not claim Christianity as their belief.
ReplyDeleteI see that up in Alaska, your cousins are leading invocations at government meetings. Instead of invoking a serious religious belief, they chose to mock Christianity - https://www.foxnews.com/us/pastafarian-pastor-leads-opening-prayer-before-alaska-government-meeting
ReplyDeleteYes, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is alive and well in the form of the "Pastafarian" preacher.
Speaking of forgery ...
If you are making light of my god, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I'm offended. I have a book about him. He did research and found if he were a visible god no one would believe he was really a god. So he is invisible and now we followers think he is real. It works. Not a single person is harmed by paying homage to the Flying Spaghetti Monster before the start of a public meeting.
DeleteP.S. I just read Pastafarianism is now officially recognized as a religion in four countries. It tenets are about peace, love of fellow man and tolerance. That is quite different than the warring history of Christianity. Pastafarianism has a right to present before public meetings if Christianity has such a right. I'd prefer all religion be skipped.
DeleteNever have two posts been more at odds with each other. "If you are making light of my god, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I'm offended." Followed by, "I'd prefer all religion be skipped."
DeleteThen there is the seemingly sexist, "... love of fellow man ...". Of course, the Alaska man, a preacher in Pastafarianism, is a man, not a woman. There is you talking about just men. How is that "tolerance" thing working for you in light of your intolerant blog? Tolerate Christianity? Any room for women in your cult?
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DeleteMatt "Never have two posts been more at odds with each other." Of course, I was only joking when I referred to the Flying Spaghetti Monster as my god. I have no god. As to what Pastafarianism is about I was quoting what I had read. I assume when the word "man" was used it meant mankind which includes women. The point remains opening a meeting with testimony for the Flying Spaghetti Monster is as valid as opening a meeting with something about Christianity or Hinduism. The only thing different is anger from defensive Christians like you.
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