Why Is It Important To Consider Bible Not Inspired?
By Mike Edwards
Most hearing claims that God inspired the Bible assume all characterizations in the Bible about God are true. They assume inspiration means God approved all recorded by the writers. They don’t think of inspiration as meaning that God encouraged or motivated writers/editors to record their history with God, thus possible being right or wrong. I felt inspired to write this Post about God. That doesn’t mean all I claim about God is necessarily true. I would suggest biblical writers were motivated to record their assumptions about God — possible right or wrong. We can’t prove God controlled the thoughts and pens of the writers. When we don’t assume God inspired the Bible, we are more likely to question if the writers’ assumption about God are right.
Our interpretation can give the wrong image of God, thus turning others away from God
Ancient literature subject to interpretation cannot be the definitive word on truth. Biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. It is seldom acknowledged our interpretations could be wrong. Gays are often condemned, women’s leadership roles are limited despite their gifts, and infidels face a torturous afterlife — all declared to be true in God’s name. People often reject God because of such claims made about God. When we don’t assume God inspired the Bible, interpretations are more likely to become discussions rather than definitive declarations about God.
We quit using our moral intuitions, therefore possible trusting wrong interpretations
Many who claim that God inspired all written in the Bible to be true about God suggests we are made in God’s image. (Gen 1:27) If God is good, this suggests God created us with an inborn sense of good and evil. Self-evident rights aren’t hidden in the Bible or any Book. Even the Bible suggests we aren’t morally clueless. We are encouraged to be perfect like God (Mt. 5:48) or follow God’s example. (Eph 5:1) Interpretations about God’s love that don’t match how most know you ought to love your neighbor may be amiss. When we don’t assume God inspired the Bible, we are more likely to use common moral sense when interpreting the Bible.
An inspired Bible can “inspire” violence
Many interpret the Quran or the Bible advocating killing Jews or condemning gays respectively, because Allah or God supposedly approves such actions. Most, especially extremists, don’t acknowledge their interpretation could be wrong. God supposedly orders Israel to commit hundreds of atrocities in the OT — “… put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys” (I Sam. 15:3). God’s possible justification of violence can lead to imitation of violent solutions such as capital punishment, blowing up abortion clinics, or unnecessary wars in the name of God.
The Bible still can inspire useful thinking about God.
Our relationship with God should be our focus, not the Bible. The Bible is God’s story beginning with Israel and culminating with the life of Jesus that we don’t possess in other documents. God may have inspired/encouraged the writers to write but didn’t necessarily approve of everything written about God. When reading the Bible, contemplate what a loving God is really like. Enjoy what God is trying to reveal to you about your Creator and how to treat others. A Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. Questioning the Bible may lead to knowing God better!
Why Is It Important To Consider Bible Not Inspired?
Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com
