The God of the Bible Exists

The BOP is shared. FULL RESOLUTION: It is probable that the Biblical God exists. ==================OPENING ARGUMENTS==================Argument from Biblical Defects (ABD) (P1) If the God of evangelical Christianity were to exist, then the Bible would be God's only written revelation. (P2) Thus, if that deity were to exist, then he would probably see to it that the Bible is perfectly clear and authoritative, and lack the appearance of merely human authorship. (P3) Some facts about the Bible are the following: It contradicts itself or is very unclear in many places. It contains factual errors, including unfulfilled prophecies. It contains ethical defects (such as God committing or ordering atrocities). It contains interpolations (later insertions to the text). Different copies of the same biblical manuscripts say conflicting things. The biblical canon involves disputes and is apparently arbitrary. There is no objective procedure for settling any of the various disputes, especially since the original manuscripts of the Bible have been lost and there has been no declaration from God that would help resolve any of the disputes. (C1) Therefore [from C], the Bible is not perfectly clear and authoritative, and has the appearance of merely human authorship. (C2) Hence [from B & D], probably the God of evangelical Christianity does not exist [1] DiscussionPremise 1 is unproblemetic since God would want to preserve his word. It is logical to assume that there may be other false revelations, but only one true revelation. Premise 2 is also unproblemetic. If God were to exist, he would want his word to be clear and authoritative. Therefore, there cannot be any mistakes found within the revelation. Premise 3 is where the real discussion begins. This is an important issue that I will be discussing in this debate. It contradicts itself or is very unclear in certain points. One of these major points in which the Bible is unclear or contradictory is in the matter of Savlation. Take a look at the following: By Hearing the Gospel & Belief in God: John 5:24: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life. " By Baptism: John 3:5: "Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. '" By Grace & Faith, not Works: Ephesians 2:8,9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith . .. not of works. " By Faith & Works: James 2:17: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. " By Keeping the Law: Matthew 19:17: ". .. if thou wilt enter unto life, keep the commandments. " By Belief in Christ: John 3:16: ". .. whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " By Belief and Baptism: Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. " By Words: Matthew 12:37: "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. " By Calling on the Lord: Acts 2:21: "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. " Not Works but by Grace & Baptism: Titus 3:5: "Not by works . .. but according to his mercy . .. by the washing of regeneration. " (Note: some denominations will say the washing refers to Christ's blood and sacrifice. ) According to Proverbs 16:4: God made the "wicked" for "the day of evil" (i. e. judgment & damnation). Of course, this makes no sense in light of passages that confirm or suggest that Jesus died for a small number of the elect; or that suggest all will be saved: John 1:29, 4:42, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Hebrews 2:9, 1 John 4:14. Salvation Available to the Chosen Few: Matthew 7:14, 22:14, Luke 12:32, 13:24, John 6:37,65,15:16,19, Romans 8:29, 9:11-23, Ephesians 1:4. Salvation Available to Those Who Desire it: Matthew 7:7-8, 11:28, John 3:16, 5:40, 7:37, Acts 2:21, Revelation 3:20. In fact, Christians cannot agree on how to be saved! Southern Baptist: Baptism (by immersion) seen as a public testimony to the commitment to Christ (infant or preconversion baptisms not practiced); some require baptism, some do not. Belief in God, eternal covenant between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect, repentance of sin. Communion is seen as symbolic. Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod: Grace alone through faith, belief in Christ's sacrifice; baptism is "generally" required. Lutherans believe that Christ's body and blood are present "during" communion (i. e. , consubstantiation). There is also confusion about the role of women. Can women preach or can they not? There are churches that disagree. We can conclude that the Bible is very unclear and/or contradictory. Another issue the Bible can't seem to get straight is how Judas died. "And he cast down the pieces of silver into the temple and departed, and went out and hanged himself. " (MAT 27:5)"And falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all of his bowels gushed out. " (ACT 1:18)Which one was it? Did he die by falling head long or did he die by hanging himself? Even more important is the order of creation [2]: Here is the order in the first (Genesis 1), the Priestly tradition: Day 1: Sky, Earth, light Day 2: Water, both in ocean basins and above the sky(! ) Day 3: Plants Day 4: Sun, Moon, stars (as calendrical and navigational aids) Day 5: Sea monsters (whales), fish, birds, land animals, creepy-crawlies (reptiles, insects, etc. ) Day 6: Humans (apparently both sexes at the same time) Day 7: Nothing (the Gods took the first day off anyone ever did) Note that there are "days," "evenings," and "mornings" before the Sun was created. Here, the Deity is referred to as "Elohim," which is a plural, thus the literal translation, "the Gods. " In this tale, the Gods seem satisfied with what they have done, saying after each step that "it was good. " The second one (Genesis 2), the Yahwist tradition, goes: Earth and heavens (misty) Adam, the first man (on a desolate Earth) Plants Animals Eve, the first woman (from Adam's rib) It contains factual errors, including unfulfilled prophecies. failed prophecy: TyreEzekiel 26:7-14 (KJV)For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee. And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers. By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground. And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water. And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard. And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. God states in this text that Nebuchadnezzar would destroy Tyre. Hwoever, these events never happened. After 13 years, nebuchadnezzar withdrew his army. Tyre survived for another 240 until Alexander the Great destroyed it [3] and the city was rebuilt. References[1]. http://www.infidels.org...[2] . http://www.infidels.org...[3] . http://phoenicia.org...