Paradigm: Religion and Philosophy

The Bible

Here are some facts of the Bible that you might wanna know...

Definition:
 

• The sacred book of Christianity, a collection of ancient writings including the books of both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Composed of 66 books.
• The Hebrew Scriptures, the sacred book of Judaism.
• Book of scripture including the Old Testament and the New Testament, which contains a history of God's people, the birth, life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and many prophesies. Written by prophets to teach God's commandments and laws to all people on earth.

Word Origin:

• byblos- Egyptian Papyrus; egyptain word for parchment
• biblios- Greek word whiceh means "books" or "scrolls"
• biblia- Latin word meaing "book"; then translated to ta biblia ("the books") since the Bible is compose of many books.

Books (Christian Bible)

The Old Testament

• used Septuagint, from the original Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures
• has 39 books
• written prior to the life of Jesus

New Testament

• written entirely in Greek
• composed of 27 books
• the book started with Jesus' genealogy

Language Written:

The Bible is originally written in three languages, namely:

• Old testament- written mostly in Hebrew and party Aramaic
• New testament- written in Koine (Common) Greek

Authors:

The Bible was written by more than or approximately forty authors. But who is the real author of the Bible..? Do you by any chance know him...? God is definitely the author of the Bible, yet He  inspired these people to deliver His Divine Word to the mankind.

Old Testament

• Moses- the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
• Joshua- unknown author; The author must have been an eyewitness of the events he records including Joshua's death. Some opinions stated that Joshua must have written the book except for the last verses. Others stated that the book of Joshua must be regarded as a compilation
• Judges-  The author of this book was most probably Samuel
• Ruth- The Book of Ruth does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that the Book of Ruth was written by the Prophet Samuel.
• 1 & 2 Samuel- the author is not identified but it could be Samuel, Nathan, and Gad
• 1 & 2 Kings- not specified; but the tradition is that it was written by the Prophet Jeremiah.
• 1 & 2 Chronicles- not specifically name its author. The tradition is that 1 and 2 Chronicles were written by Ezra.
• Ezra- not specified; yet it is believed that Ezra is the author of the book. In chapter 7, Ezra appears on the scene, in which the author uses first person subject.
• Nehemiah- The Book of Nehemiah does not specifically name its author. It is highly likely that either Nehemiah or Ezra was the author
• Esther- not specified; The most popular traditions are Mordecai (a major character in the Book of Esther) and Nehemiah (who would have been familiar with Persian customs).
• Job- not specified; The most likely candidates are Job, Elihu, Moses and Solomon.
• Psalms- several different authors; mostly written by David
• Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon- written by Solomon, but some of the context in Ecclesiastes suggest that there is another author after Solomon died.
• Isaiah- Isaiah
• Jeremiah- Jeremiah
• Lamentations- not specified; The tradition is that the Prophet Jeremiah wrote Lamentations. This view is highly likely considering the author was a witness of the Babylonians destroying Jerusalem. Jeremiah fits this qualification
• Ezekiel- Ezekiel
• Daniel- Daniel
• Hosea- Hosea
• Joel- Joel
• Amos- Amos
• Obadiah- Obadiah
• Nahum- Nahum
• Habakkuk- Habakkuk
• Zephaniah- Zephaniah
• Haggai- Haggai
• Zechariah- Zechariah
• Malachi- Malachi

New Testament

• Matthew- Matthew
• Mark- Mark
• Luke- Luke
• John- John
• Acts- Luke
• Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon- Paul
• Hebrews- unknown, best guesses are Paul, Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos
• James- James
• 1 & 2 Peter- Peter
• 1,2 & 3 John- John
• Jude- Jude
• Revelation- John

(*wheeww.. quite long*)

Tanakh- acronym for the three parts of the Hebrew Bible

• Torah- "Instructions"; the five books of Moses
• Nevi'im- "Prophets"; tell the story of the rise of the Hebrew monarchy, its division into two kingdoms, and the prophets who, in God's name, warned the kings and the Children of Israel about the punishment of God.
• Ketuvim-"Writings" or "Scriptures"; contain lyrical poetry, philosophical reflections on life, and the stories of the prophets and other Jewish leaders during the Babylonian exile.

The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the following books:

• Tobit
• Judith
• 1 & 2 Maccabees
• Wisdom of Solomon
• Ecclesiasticus
• Baruch
• Greek additions to Esther
• Greek additions to Daniel

In addition to those, the Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes the following:

• 3 Maccabees
• 1 Esdras
• Prayer of Manasseh
• Psalm 151

Some other Orthodox Churches include a few others, typically:

• 2 Esdras
• Odes
• Psalms of Solomon

References: Wikipedia, GotQuestions.org

Nihilism- Meaningless

Nihilism-comes from the Latin nihil, or nothing, which means not anything, that which does not exist. It appears in the verb "annihilate," meaning to bring to nothing, to destroy completely.

Friedrich Nietzsche- Often associated with the philosophy of nihilism. In his "Will to Power", he stated that: "Every belief, every considering something-true is necessarily false because there is simply no true world".

Nihilists generally assert some or all of the following:

• there is no reasonable proof of the existence of a higher ruler or creator,
• a "true morality" does not exist, and
• objective secular ethics are impossible; therefore, life has, in a sense, no truth, and no action is objectively preferable to any other.

The objective of nihilism manifests itself in several perspectives:

• Epistemological nihilism denies the possibility of knowledge and truth, and is linked to extreme skepticism.
• Political nihilism advocates the prior destruction of all existing political, social, and religious orders as a prerequisite for any future improvement.
• Ethical nihilism (moral nihilism) rejects the possibility of absolute moral or ethical values. Good and evil are vague, and related values are simply the result of social and emotional pressures.
• Existential nihilism, the most well-known view, affirms that life has no intrinsic meaning or value.

Can you believe on the philosophers who formulated with this nonsense philosophy..? Well, as their philosophy in life, it shows that nihilist are meaningless, useless, vague, and etc. I wonder if they ever attained happiness in life.. How poor the soul of the person who doesn't have any directions in life and who doesn't give any meaning to the happenings in the world.  They don't value anyone, like family and friends. Or, I think they don't have friends because they don't believe in friends. It's like living alone in this universe. Can you imagine a person living without ethics, moral, values, beliefs, doesn't believe in good or bad..? What a nonsense life!

Well, it causes great faith to believe. Do you have that big faith about the One you believe as Saviour..? The One who will come in this world to save you..? The One that will give you eternal life..? Do you ever think that the Bible is true..? What if the philosophy of Nihilism is true..? What will happen to your faith..?

Just let me leave you with this context:
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

*You can read the whole chapter of Hebrews 11*

Reference: AllAboutPhilosophy.org, InternetEncyclopediaOfPhilosophy

What Is Your Standing?

Im sorry for a late post in my blog. I've been busy these past weeks. And this is only a short post.

Have you ever think of your sins..? The things you did that you know you're not supposed to do. Things you know that they are bad, yet you still love doing it. Had you hated someone so badly, and you're not thinking of forgiving him? Or, you have a secret sin that no other man knows it... Are you sinful in your heart and mind..?  Pretty rebuking huh...?

Do these questions ever come in to your mind? Let me share this text: 1 Thessalonians 5: 2 & 6, "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a theif in the night... Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."

I don't have to elaborate all kinds of sin here. That doesn't matter, whether it be big or small, the fact is "it is still a sin". But do you prefer to live in a sinful life..? Well, its easier to live sinful life, ayt..? You can do whatever you want, no rules, and no law. Wrong! Living a Christ-like character should not be a burden to you. Living a sinful life...? Do you think you won't suffer the consequences of it? We do not the hour of His coming. No one can tell! But the question is, "Are you ready?"! Do you think you will be enjoying the eternal peace and happiness, or the eternal death? It is your choice.

Friends, now is the time to repent and to ask for forgiveness. You don't have to wait till' tomorrow, of maybe 5 years for now. What if Jesus Christ will come today, tonight, or tomorrow...? Are you ready..?

I will just leave you with these common texts:

█ 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrieghteousness...

█ Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason tegether, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool...

*I'll post about philosophy next time.. If I fully understand the principles.*