Ladas wrote:
It was more a question about the political motives in the original stories, in their original languages.
Between co-opted events from other religions or myths and veiled political commentaries in others, isn't the whole thing essentially propaganda?
I suppose this depends. If men actually wrote the books of the Bible, then it'd be interesting as a piece of history, and pretty much worthless for anything else. If, however, God directed the writing so that we can learn about Him, then it becomes so much more.
There have been translators who genuinely wanted to have a translation that is as true to the original text as possible. There have also been people who translated the original texts in such a way that they said what the translators wanted them to say.
Speaking as a man, the Bible says some things I wish it did not. However, since I believe God directed the writing, I believe it is important (and a debt I owe to God) to submit my will to Him, to acknowledge myself as a subordinate, and God as King of kings and Lord of lords. Therefore, I acknowledge that God's way is higher than my way and that God knows better than I.