Reply #88: That's just it -- we're absolutely not

[JerseygirlCT]

"talking about taking dictation from the creator of the universe."

As I've explained, a very small segment of Christianity thinks like this.

For most, the bible is inspired of God -- meaning, written by humans, full of human flaws, but a written record of their experience of God. It is not meant to be read literally -- goodness, the OT is chock full of stories, allegory and myth -- and never intended to read as a strict rule book or history book. More in the way of very meaningful and instructive literature. Jesus taught in parables -- because they're an effective teaching tool.

Paul's letters are that -- the writings of a very moved, faithful man, trying to explain what he felt and thought to other new co-religionists.

Very, very few Christians (although I'll grant you, often loud ones) believe the bible was handed to us, fresh from Godly dictation.