[Wondergirl]

My response:

The Bible is a mix of parables, poetry, allegories, wisdom literature, oratory, epistles, and human stories, each with a moral. It's a beautiful interpretation of human experience from a divine perspective -- God creates the first humans and, with divine love, gives them free will, they do wrong, repent, and God forgives. That is still true to the current moment.

Is it true, is the Bible real? It definitely isn't a just science or history textbook! The most useful life-changing instruction and truth to take from it are Jesus' words, "God is love. Love one another." Thus, the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

[jlisenbe]

Interesting question, but not sure what is meant by, "the Bible is real". Perhaps it would be more useful to ask if the Bible is true. That, it seems to me, is the real issue.

The most useful life-changing instruction and truth to take from it are Jesus' words, "God is love. Love one another."

If you are going to quote Jesus, please quote him accurately.

[Wondergirl]

And....??? Quote how else?

[jlisenbe]

There is no "and" to it. I am simply asking you to quote accurately. You did not do that.

[Wondergirl]

Then I hereby ask you for the correct quote as per which version.

In the New Testament, Jesus said the greatest commandment of all is to love God with all our heart. But He also added the second greatest commandment: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (See Mark 12:31.)

Matthew 22:37-40 New King James Version 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

[jlisenbe]

Yes. Your supposed quote was not there. Thank you for showing that.

[Wondergirl]

You're welcome, my dear friend in Christ. :-)

[jlisenbe]

Have a good night.

[Wondergirl]

You too! I slept nine hours straight thru last night. Hope I can do that again tonight as I recover from another aplastic anemia bout.

[dwashbur]

Jesus didn't say "God is love", John did in 1 John. That may have been what that was about.

Is the Bible real? Well, yeah, I have several on my shelf. They sure seem real to me. Is it accurate? Define that. Accurate in what way? Historically? Scientifically? Spiritually? Cosmologically? Terpsichorially? What does it mean in the context of the person's question? Is it true? Same series of questions. Give me clarity and accuracy or give me gerflombesnood.

[jlisenbe]

Jesus didn't say "God is love", John did in 1 John. That may have been what that was about.

Correct. And yeah, my comment was somewhat tongue in cheek.