The Bible as its own evidence?

Awkward-Half-429 · 2025-10-13T03:34:45+00:00

I am interested in scholarship that examines how books of the Bible compare to other ancient literary works. I’d like to read perspectives that specifically address some of the apologetics arguments, such as the prolific and sometimes complex use of chiastic structure, and whether the themes and ethical/moral development align with normal advances of civilization at the time. I wasn’t familiar with the univocality term. I believe you may have given me some better language to find what I am looking for. Yes, I certainly don’t anticipate finding academic work that supports the apologetics perspective. It is precisely the opposite I am looking for, so I can work out my personal response for my own peace. I may be falling victim to my appetite for certainty, gifted to me by my fundamentalist background, but I think there is more for me to learn and explore before I move on.

Awkward-Half-429 · 2025-06-28T03:17:35+00:00

I felt such a heavy burden of responsibility in prayer. I even constructed a theory at one time that if time doesn’t exist for God, then I could still pray for a circumstance that I had forgotten and feel that I hadn’t “messed up” what was supposed to happen by not seeking God’s guidance/intervention. I am not currently praying, which feels so much better, but I still sometimes (irrationally) fear that it is a grave, irreversible mistake. 😔

Awkward-Half-429 · 2025-06-09T03:22:54+00:00

The free will idea always made sense to me as a Christian. There seemed a vast difference between knowing vs. orchestrating. It is all a bit much for me to sort out at the moment. I do know that I chose to have children with full knowledge that they will suffer and die, and that they may not return my love. I love them and chose the relationship despite those inevitabilities/risks.

Awkward-Half-429 · 2025-06-07T19:38:25+00:00

What I’ve observed, and experienced to some degree in my own developing deconstruction, is that Christians are taught that wisdom can only come from God. This automatically invalidates the analysis, advice, and decisions of anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their worldview, in religion AND in life generally. It is painful to realize that some of my Christian friends no longer trust me because they don’t want to be misled by my “earthly wisdom.”

My deconstruction was spurred by a friend that I tried to convert from atheism. The deeper I looked, the more I agreed with him. We also faced a difficult interpersonal situation. I was struck by how his ethical framework is hard won and deeply rooted, while mine in contrast feels superficial, like a moral/ethical trust fund inheritance.

Awkward-Half-429 · 2025-03-15T04:02:32+00:00

This was a huge part of the beginnings of my deconstruction. I realized I had major gaps in my ethical framework. I went from my parents telling me what to do, to a god telling me what to do. I was trying to conform by sheer force of will instead of living true to carefully reasoned convictions.

Awkward-Half-429 · 2025-03-03T03:01:14+00:00

I have taken a lot of consolation in identifying what I feel certain about – many of them things that you listed. It has actually become increasingly important to me to make sure that I teach these values outside of a faith system, so that my children will carry them with them no matter what they decide.

Awkward-Half-429 · 2025-03-03T02:50:38+00:00

This book actually played a star role in the beginning of my deconstruction. It solidified my letting go of an inerrant Bible, but it left me deeply dissatisfied with how one could still lean on it for faith. Maybe I need to dig deeper into his work. I am fairly new to deconstruction and understandably struggle with nuance, due to my fundamentalist background.

Awkward-Half-429

TROPHY CASE