A great English teacher of mine once taught me: "the Bible is man's growing understanding of God."
This understanding culminates with the arrival of His son in spirit and flesh. He teaches us what is needed to be taught. Although many will disagree, the Old Testament is simply man's words. As man is flawed, so may be the stories incorporated with it. It took the words of Jesus Christ to fully grasp the true meaning of the "CHRISTian" doctrine.
I believe we can read stories from the Old Testament as a reference to those who truly believed in God. Whether or not I believe that God let Satan get the best of him and attack his follower Job (which I don't believe the true benevolent God would do), I believe that Job was a good man. Whether or not ancient scribes got the story right should not matter now. The fact that this man was willing to do whatever is needed to stay in faith is all that SHOULD matter.
If I truly believe in Jesus Christ and his words, then I must read his Sermon on the Mount in which (in referral to the days of the Old Testament) he repeats "you heard it used to be said." The Old Testament should not be compared to the words of Jesus Christ himself. Why would you believe someone over the Son of God?
Trust Jesus and his Sermon on the Mount. Your relationship with Christ is unique. You don't have to trust another's relationship with Christ, as long as you trust yours. (I know this is way too long for a message board, but the next time someone wants to attack the Christian faith: understand that a true Christian does not have to believe in fire, brimstone, and the hatred of all mankind to be happy and live with faith.
This understanding culminates with the arrival of His son in spirit and flesh. He teaches us what is needed to be taught. Although many will disagree, the Old Testament is simply man's words. As man is flawed, so may be the stories incorporated with it. It took the words of Jesus Christ to fully grasp the true meaning of the "CHRISTian" doctrine.
I believe we can read stories from the Old Testament as a reference to those who truly believed in God. Whether or not I believe that God let Satan get the best of him and attack his follower Job (which I don't believe the true benevolent God would do), I believe that Job was a good man. Whether or not ancient scribes got the story right should not matter now. The fact that this man was willing to do whatever is needed to stay in faith is all that SHOULD matter.
If I truly believe in Jesus Christ and his words, then I must read his Sermon on the Mount in which (in referral to the days of the Old Testament) he repeats "you heard it used to be said." The Old Testament should not be compared to the words of Jesus Christ himself. Why would you believe someone over the Son of God?
Trust Jesus and his Sermon on the Mount. Your relationship with Christ is unique. You don't have to trust another's relationship with Christ, as long as you trust yours. (I know this is way too long for a message board, but the next time someone wants to attack the Christian faith: understand that a true Christian does not have to believe in fire, brimstone, and the hatred of all mankind to be happy and live with faith.