Aug 1, 2011 -- 3:05PM, Craig_w_dressler wrote:

There is more archaeological, linguistic and historical evidence that backs up the validity of the Bible than any other ancient text. 

I beg to differ

What is up with all this, "my religion has to be true for everyone" crap?  I mean, UPG people!  Just because whatever book is your preference is not absolutely correct in every last bit doesn't make it true!

Myth is the attempt to put into words what cannot be said.  If it speaks to you, then yay!  If it doesn't, leave it.  And kindly allow other people the courtesy of making the same decision for themselves.

At school there're various textbooks for various grades; all are true yet of a different information level. The same goes for spiritual texts, as per the Vedic view.

Scholarship related to the Bible is the largest, i.e. no other text was studied that much.
Its validity doesn't preclude validity of others though. Monopoly on spirituality is a strange idea.

I don't think Craig will reply. At least he never did to me before. Most Gospel preachers are content simply to announce their message to the maximum quantity of listeners.

Hope this helps. Hare Krsna
Your servant, bh. Jan

www.vrindavan-dham.com
www.veda.harekrsna.cz

dvaitaM bandhAya mokSAt prAk prApte bodhe manISayA
bhaktyarthaM kalpitam dvaitaM advaitAd api sundaram

"Duality is bondage before moksa and wisdom after realization. The duality accepted for the purpose of bhakti is sweeter than even non-duality." (from mangalacarana to Advaitasiddhi sara sangraha by Madhusudana Sarasvati, former advaitin)

Aug 1, 2011 -- 3:05PM, Craig_w_dressler wrote:

There is more archaeological, linguistic and historical evidence that backs up the validity of the Bible than any other ancient text. 

Sorry, no buy.  Maine is absolutely right.

The question of an actual historical bible, or Qu'ran or other religious writings rarely confronts the religious believer. The power of faith has so forcefully driven the minds of most believers, and even apologetic scholars, that the question of reliable evidence gets obscured by tradition, religious subterfuge, and outrageous claims.

Since Craig is a Christian, I will address his historical evidence.

No one has the slightest physical evidence to support a historical Jesus; no artifacts, dwelling, works of carpentry, or self-written manuscripts. All claims about Jesus derive from the writings of other people. There occurs no contemporary Roman record that shows Pontius Pilate executing a man named Jesus. Devastating to historians, there occurs not a single contemporary writing that mentions Jesus. All documents about Jesus came well after the life of the alleged Jesus from either: unknown authors, people who had never met an earthly Jesus, or from fraudulent, mythical or allegorical writings. Although one can argue that many of these writings come from fraud or interpolations, the information and dates show that even if these sources did not come from interpolations, they could still not serve as reliable evidence for a historical Jesus, simply because all sources about Jesus derive from hearsay accounts.

Ever heard of the "Dead Sea Scrolls"? If one needs factual evidence in all religious beliefs, they will never find truth, for the things of God can only be known by the Spirit of God, and the Holy Ghost.....but then this is hard for anyone devoid of the spirit to recognize or understand. 

2 Timothy 3:1-17 speaks of apostasy and perilous time of the last days........and describes the value of te scriptures. 

That the Bible has endured as a record of God's dealings with man since the Garden, is evidence to me that God has had a hand in preserving them for us for He knows of their importance and value in helping us find our way through the countless number of religions; doctrines; dogmas etc......

1 Peter 1:7-9 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8. Whom having not see, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not; yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; 9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

No physical evidence proving the Bible is true is necessary for those who have faith in God.....without faith it is impossible to know and understand the things of God.