respond. It makes some atheistic arguments against the Bible and God:
I want to respond to a couple of points made in the video just from regular lay
person's understanding of the Bible and God. So if a theologian wants to comment
and better dispute the arguments please do in the comment section.
The first argument made against the Bible in the video is the violent nature
of Deuteronomy 28. I against it is insinuating if this passage is so violent then
God is violent, therefore, not a "good" God. If you actually read about first half
of Deuteronomy 28 you will actually find out how much God wants to bless the
obedient:
1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands
I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on
earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey
the LORD your God:3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the
young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your
flocks.5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be
defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee
from you in seven.8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you
put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is
giving you.9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on
oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his
ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the
name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you
abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your
livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your
forefathers to give you.
So I don't think it is entirely fair to characterize this whole chapter in the Bible
as "fire and brimstone." Secondly, they easily dismiss the historical and cultural
context. In every other historical document we take into account the prevailing
wisdom of the time, why not the Bible? Actually Deuteronomy and other books
in the Old Testament deal with cleanliness. And one of the curses mentioned was
disease. Wouldn't it be understandable for people who didn't have the biological
knowledge we have right now and attribute diseases brought about by uncleanliness
to God?
The second point the video makes: Why didn't reveal Jesus medical knowledge? I
guess the premise of that question is why didn't Jesus help cure sickness. Jesus
didn't come to cure diseases. He came to save souls. The notion that God hasn't
cured diseases only bothers atheists because they don't believe in an afterlife.
If this world is all we have then nobody should be sick. But you see I actually
see this as an argument FOR God. Let me explain. The Bible talks about a fallen
world, that's not perfect. Sickness is a part of world that is NOT perfect. Heaven
is a place where there is no suffering. And honestly atheist don't have an superb
explanation of suffering either. Alright so we now have the technology to know
more about diseases but when someone is seriously sick does it alleviate the
death sentence anymore knowing exactly what it is? Also, isn't this notion
"Well, why doesn't God heal?" question basically an attempt to create a "heaven"
a Earth by science? If theists are crazy for believing in some sort of afterlife, is it
not equally as nuts to believe that humans can create a sick and hunger free
Utopian world?
Another point made in the video is "Why didn't Jesus advance social progress like
racial and gender equality?" I would actually disagree that the Bible doesn't
advance human rights. Ever heard of the term the "Social Gospel"? The Hebrews
were slaves and the Bible talks about how highly unjust that was. The Bible point
blank calls slavery "unjust suffering," there is no two ways about that. 1 Peter
2:19 :
19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjustAs for gender equality, it was radical thing Jesus did when he defended a woman
suffering because he is conscious of God.
about to be stone:
After reading that and still claim that Jesus is some sort of sexist is beyond me.
Joh 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in
adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,Joh 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the
very act.Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but
what sayest thou?Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But
Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he
heard them not.Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience,
went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus
was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman,
he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man
condemned thee?Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I
condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
