Both Atheists and Christians would either be glad or dismayed to know
the same message can be taught from the Bible,
even if it is completely mythologized or people don't believe it.
Some Atheists WANT to debunk it altogether, and aren't happy with the idea
that the same universal truth exists whether or not we use the Bible to teach it.
Likewise, some Christians don't like this idea either, and prefer to use rejection
as a way to justify exclusion; while including secular nontheists in salvation is disturbing.
As long as someone believes there is a difference between justice and injustice,
and one brings peace and the other causes suffering:
That is enough to discuss the meaning in the Bible and
argue over how ARE we, as collective humanity, ever going to realize justice and peace if humans are selfish, greedy and constantly at war?
Same message of seeking Truth Justice and Peace,
regardless if we use everyday secular language or Biblical teachings,
even if people disagree and argue over the real meaning or history.
For convenience of sharing online, I summarized in 250 words
"How to Explain the Bible without Reading it"
Which also explains "How to Explain the Bible to an Atheist" who thinks it's false.
Arguing over the Bible doesn't matter. The process of seeking truth for sake of justice and peace is the same for all humanity, whether Jew or Gentile. And we still need DIVINE FORGIVENESS in Christ Jesus to be able to reconcile and agree on God's Truth!
=========================
To explain the story of humanity summarized in the Bible, it helps to distinguish the difference between the Old and New Testaments, which determines if the rest will make sense at all, or even needs to be read.
In short, the Old Testament records the tragic history of living by the "letter of the law" and retributive justice, causing death and genocidal destruction by greed, while the New Testament paints a positive future for humanity, with renewed love of life and relationships by restorative justice, living by the "spirit of the law" for lasting peace.
The key difference between these paths is divine forgiveness, which breaks the cycle of retribution inherited from previous generations. Without forgiveness, suffering repeats, projected forward. However, by receiving forgiveness and correction, where Jesus represents the spiritual process of embracing equal justice, humanity finds liberation from past strife by establishing universal truth, justice, and peace on earth. Thus, human nature is destined to reach maturity in mind, body, and spirit, collectively symbolized by the Holy Trinity.
Salvation in Jesus represents restorative justice with mercy, bringing healing grace to end conflicts. Reconciling local laws among individuals with universal laws on a global scale fulfills both in perfect harmony or marriage between people, as the bride or church, united with the authority of law or state.
The story of sacrifice and redemption represents the spiritual process each individual experiences to grow in life -- through trials, failures, and recovery -- which drives humanity to reach spiritual understanding, wholeness, and peace.
the same message can be taught from the Bible,
even if it is completely mythologized or people don't believe it.
Some Atheists WANT to debunk it altogether, and aren't happy with the idea
that the same universal truth exists whether or not we use the Bible to teach it.
Likewise, some Christians don't like this idea either, and prefer to use rejection
as a way to justify exclusion; while including secular nontheists in salvation is disturbing.
As long as someone believes there is a difference between justice and injustice,
and one brings peace and the other causes suffering:
That is enough to discuss the meaning in the Bible and
argue over how ARE we, as collective humanity, ever going to realize justice and peace if humans are selfish, greedy and constantly at war?
Same message of seeking Truth Justice and Peace,
regardless if we use everyday secular language or Biblical teachings,
even if people disagree and argue over the real meaning or history.
For convenience of sharing online, I summarized in 250 words
"How to Explain the Bible without Reading it"
Which also explains "How to Explain the Bible to an Atheist" who thinks it's false.
Arguing over the Bible doesn't matter. The process of seeking truth for sake of justice and peace is the same for all humanity, whether Jew or Gentile. And we still need DIVINE FORGIVENESS in Christ Jesus to be able to reconcile and agree on God's Truth!
=========================
To explain the story of humanity summarized in the Bible, it helps to distinguish the difference between the Old and New Testaments, which determines if the rest will make sense at all, or even needs to be read.
In short, the Old Testament records the tragic history of living by the "letter of the law" and retributive justice, causing death and genocidal destruction by greed, while the New Testament paints a positive future for humanity, with renewed love of life and relationships by restorative justice, living by the "spirit of the law" for lasting peace.
The key difference between these paths is divine forgiveness, which breaks the cycle of retribution inherited from previous generations. Without forgiveness, suffering repeats, projected forward. However, by receiving forgiveness and correction, where Jesus represents the spiritual process of embracing equal justice, humanity finds liberation from past strife by establishing universal truth, justice, and peace on earth. Thus, human nature is destined to reach maturity in mind, body, and spirit, collectively symbolized by the Holy Trinity.
Salvation in Jesus represents restorative justice with mercy, bringing healing grace to end conflicts. Reconciling local laws among individuals with universal laws on a global scale fulfills both in perfect harmony or marriage between people, as the bride or church, united with the authority of law or state.
The story of sacrifice and redemption represents the spiritual process each individual experiences to grow in life -- through trials, failures, and recovery -- which drives humanity to reach spiritual understanding, wholeness, and peace.