Humanist Summary

Is following the Bible harmful? Not at all.

THE HUMANIST'S SUMMARY PART 2: Other Problems with the Bible

There are other reasons why the Bible should not be considered the word of God. They include, but are not limited to: the fact that we don’t know who wrote most of it; the fact that much of it was written many years – and in some cases many centuries – after the events it purports to describe; its obscene passages; and its promises of eternal rewards for the ignorant and credulous and everlasting punishment for skeptics and investigators.

Finally, the harm that the Bible causes in people’s personal lives should be mentioned as a reason for rejecting the book. It’s not uncommon to see media reports about Bible believers committing bizarre, injurious, and sometimes deadly acts.

Some people use Bible verses to justify beating children, withholding medical treatment, handling snakes, drinking poison, chopping off body parts, plucking out eyes, driving out demons, withdrawing from the affairs of this world, renouncing the pleasures of life, and expecting the world to end.

If the Bible were not viewed as God’s word, these acts would occur much less often.

It is interesting to note that, where Christianity has flourished, science has flourished. Where Christianity has flourished, women and children were elevated and protected. Without Christianity women and children are objectified, used, and enslaved. Where Christianity flourished, our God-given human rights elevated (see Declaration of Independence, for example). Where Christianity flourishes, so does business and free enterprise. Where Christianity flourishes, other religions, including humanism, are free to practice their beliefs.

Take just this last point. There is no other religion that tolerates "competing" religions, except Christianity. Even humanism is intolerant. Yes, Christianity, as well as all religions including humanism, have exclusive claims. However, only Christianity is tolerant of others.

You can see the humanist’s intolerance in the web page we have been looking at. The web site clearly demonstrates an intolerance of Christianity. An intolerance has a much greater intensity than is directed at any other religion. For example, you do not find a comparable page on their web site attacking the Qur'ran or the Hindu Vedas and Upanishads. You do not see them attacking the Book of Mormon and other Mormon "scripture." You do not even see them attacking the Catholic apocrypha or traditions (which have the same authority for Catholics as scripture).

Their focus is Biblical Christianity. Why? All false religions, including atheism and humanism, have a demon at their heart. What do demons hate the most? God (Jesus) and the Bible.

Answering The Above Accusations

Lets take a look at some of the accusations in this summary statement.

We Do Not Know Who Wrote Most of the Bible

Not true. We know all of the authors of the New Testament, except for the book of Hebrews. Looking at the Old Testament Moses wrote the Pentateuch (the first five books of the bible). The writers of many of the historical books, and all of the prophetic books are identified in the name of the book. David wrote most of the Psalms. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes and most of the proverbs. The only books for which the author is not specifically identified are a few of the Old Testament historical books. We know who the human authors were for most of the Bible.

However, what is more important is that we know the ultimate author is God. The entire Bible is inspired by God, and it was the Holy Spirit who superintended the writers so that everything they wrote is accurate and true.

The Bible Was Written Years after the Events It Reports

Not true. All of the New Testament was written within 65 years of the events it records. Historically that is an incredibly short period of time.

In the Old Testament, all of the prophetic books were written by the prophets themselves. The Old Testament historic books are very interesting. They, at times, give references to their source material. This referenced material was available for the original readers to check. Here is a partial list:

The Book of Wars: Numbers 21:14
The Book of Jasher: Joshua 10:13
The Chronicles of David: 1 Chronicles 27:24
The Book of the Kings of Israel: 1 Chronicles 9:1.
The Chronicles of Nathan the Prophet: 1 Chronicles 29:29
The Decree of David the King of Israel: 2 Chronicles 35:4.

Yes, some parts of the Bible were written long after the events they describe. Moses wrote about creation at least 2000 years after it happened. How did he get it right? Through the superintending guidance of the Holy Spirit. There was an eyewitness involved in the writing of EVERY word in the Bible. The Holy Spirit.

Obscene Passages

It would have been helpful if the humanists had provided some examples. I have no idea which passages they consider obscene. In addition, what standard do they use to determine whether something is obscene or not? Who establishes that standard? Does the standard ever change?

It’s Promises of Eternal Rewards for the Ignorant and Credulous and Everlasting Punishment for Skeptics and Investigators.

Here we have a major misrepresentation of what scripture says about eternity. First, notice the language they use. Those who believe scripture are ignorant and credulous (definition: showing too great a readiness to believe things). That is negative, inappropriate, and a false description of a believer. Humanists are described as simply skeptics and investigators… a rather positive description. However, that is not what scripture says. They are blind enemies of God; whose desire is to be separated from God. They desire the darkness and love their sin. Therefore, God gives them what they desire. There is nothing wrong with that. If you deny God, essentially saying you want nothing to do with God, then God gives you exactly what you want—total separation from God forever—perfect justice.

I have talked with many humanists. I am sure there are some out there, but I have yet to meet one who is truly a skeptic or investigator. An investigator is someone who is searching for truth and examining all sides of an issue. That does not describe a humanist. I have an offer I have made to many of the humanists I have met. For every book you will read (and discuss with me) that I recommend, I will read (and discuss with you) a book you recommend. Nearly all rejected the offer. Of the few that have accepted, none read the book I recommended… although I have purchased and read the books they have recommended. As scripture says, they are suppressing their knowledge of God. God tells you this in Romans 1:18-31:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in [t]their own persons the due penalty of their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

They are not skeptics and investigators. They know God and they willingly reject Him, closing their minds to God’s truth. Does that mean we do not share the gospel with humanists? Of course not. The Holy Spirit can open minds and bring the light of truth to a closed mind.

The humanists mentioned promises. There are some key promises God has made that humanists should carefully consider.

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matthew 10:28

Promises for Unbelievers

But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. - Revelation 21:8

Those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. - 2 Thessalonians 1:8b-9

For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. - Matthew 7:13

Promises for Believers and Unbelievers

Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these [the Gospel of John] have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. - John 20:30-31

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. - John 14:6

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 - see verse 18 below)

The Humanist said: Some people use Bible verses to justify:

• Beating children: in violation of what the Bible teaches
• Withholding medical treatment: in violation of what the Bible teaches
• Handling snakes: in violation of what the Bible teaches
• Drinking poison: in violation of what the Bible teaches
• Chopping off body parts: in violation o what the Bible teaches
• Plucking out eyes: in violation of what the Bible teaches
• Driving out demons: demon possession is real, but we don't have the power to drive out demons
• Withdrawing from the affairs of this world: in violation of what the Bible teaches
• Renouncing the pleasures of life: it depends on what you define as "the pleasures of this life." Drinking is a good example. The Bible does not forbid drinking. Enjoying a glass of wine (or beer) is fine. Getting drunk is not.
• Expecting the world to end: Yes it will. Humanists accuse God of being unable or unwilling to end evil. But, He will end evil, and that means this world will come to an end and all "second" chances to repent and trust in Him as your Savior will end also.

Yes, there are people who use the Bible to justify behaviors that result from human desires. However, as you see from the above list, those behaviors violate what the Bible teaches. Just because someone claims to be a Christian and then engages in certain behaviors, that does not mean those practices are Biblical. Neither the behavior of true Christians, nor that of false Christians, defines what the Bible teaches.

If the Bible were not viewed as God’s word, these acts would occur much less often.

Not true. If the Bible were more often viewed as God's word, and obeyed as written, these acts would not occur. Nearly everything on the humanist's list is a violation of Biblical teaching. In addition, if the Bible were more often viewed as God’s word and obeyed, we'd see fewer single mothers (and the resulting poverty); fewer suicides; less crime; few gender identity problems; fewer riots and disorder; and the list goes on.

Conclusion:

The Bible is true, accurate, without error, and a major benefit to humanity.

NEXT The Humanist's Final Statement:

Many compelling and morally sound reasons support the Humanist position that the Bible is not divinely inspired. Instead of being inerrant, the Bible has far more errors and immoral teachings than most other books.

By treating this mistake-ridden book as the word of God, humanity has been led down many paths of error and misery throughout history. In too many ways, the Bible continues to produce such results.

But in some cases, the errors caused by the Bible have been corrected and the harms have been stopped. This happened when a scientific approach was applied to problems. Science involves relying on reason, observation, experience, and compassion – rather than blindly accepting religious or secular dogma.

We should reject the views of those who say the Bible has infallible answers to today’s problems. As Humanists know, science has proved to be a much better source for answers.

Are the conclusions of the humanists correct? Click here and find out...