Reply #147: I can give several examples

[Brentos]

As to insight as to how we can know what was inspired by God....

First, the Bible is a dialog between God and man. The Bible is inspired and contains that which God wants it to contain (at least in the original languages), but is not written fully by God. The Bible tells us this:

Joshua 24: 25 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he drew up for them decrees and laws. 26 And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD.

This practice continues to this very day. The Jewish leaders meet once a year to add to the Law.

So, how do we know what was God and what was man? The Bible will tell us. Scripture interprets Scripture.

Example:

Deuteronomy 19:21 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

This sounds harsh for a God of love, but it is the law, right?

Well, what does Jesus say about this section (which is borrowed from the Hammurabi Code):

Matthew 5:38-40 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

Jesus is telling the people there, that while they have heard (meaning it was written, as most people heard it spoken from the scrolls being read from in temple), they have it wrong. He is giving them the correct answer.

The Bible is full of this, which is why one must study it for a lifetime and remain in God's Word to understand God's Word fully. People will always learn knew lessons from it from each reading. It also shows how dangerous it is when fundamentalists take out-of-context sections, such as "eye-for-eye" or other "laws" and try to force them down the world's throat, instead of listening to Jesus, who properly translates the Bible for us.

If you prefer old testament, then read the prophets. They will tell you what God really was saying during the sections in Kings and Chronicles (which contradict each other, as they were written by men).