David Person, Contributor
WHILE many of the Bible's critics came from outside of the church, some of the most compelling modern criticism has come from within its ranks. One of the most headline-grabbing critiques of the Bible came from a group of theologians calling themselves the Jesus Seminar.
Using a method of analysis called historical criticism - a direct descendant from European Enlightenment, by the way these New Testament scholars have picked apart the gospel, coming to conclusions at odds with mainstream Christian beliefs. They believe, for example that Jesus' resurrection never took place. They also suggest that less than one-fifth of the four Gospels (the New Testament books Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are reliable.
Just as their philosophic ancestors did several centuries ago the Jesus Seminar theologians have concluded that the Gospel record-particularly Jesus' miracles must be corroborated by logic and observable studies in order to be believed.
In reality, and perhaps unwittingly, they have joined a long line of biblical sceptics and critics that include some artists, musicians, scientists, academics, New age philosophers, and followers of eastern mysticism. Standing behind them are well-meaning practitioners of traditional African religions, Muslims and Jews.
These are those for whom the Bible is merely a brilliant piece of literature, an incomplete chronicle of human history, a biased collection of myths and fairy tales, or an excuse for judgment and bigotry.
The truth is this: A belief in science and in the Bible can coexist.
The Bible has survived the myriad attacks on it in part because of scientists such as Newton and Bowman, who see in its testimonies a revelation of the divine virtue that created the world they studied.
They reject the view that God's Word is merely a collection of myths, revisionist history, and propaganda. They see within its pages a quick peek at the mind of the Creator, who is the ultimate scientist.
David Person contributes from Hunstville, Alabama.
