Back when Quote by David Cross
“Back when the Bible was written, then edited, then rewritten, then rewritten, then re-edited, then translated from dead languages, then re-translated, then edited, then rewritten, then given to kings for them to take their favorite parts, then rewritten, then re-rewritten, then translated again, then given to the pope for him to approve, then rewritten, then edited again, the re-re-re-re-rewritten again...all based on stories that were told orally 30 to 90 years AFTER they happened.. to people who didnt know how to write... so...”
About This Quote
Source Historical: Development of the Biblical canon, centuries of oral tradition and textual transmission
The quote highlights the complex, layered history of biblical texts, emphasizing multiple edits, translations, and oral origins over centuries
In simple terms: The Bible underwent many revisions and translations before its final form
Key Takeaway
Recognize that many historical works are products of extensive revision and cultural influence
Themes
history
religion
textual criticism
oral tradition
translation
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
historical
analytical
scholarly
When to use this quote
- theological study
- literary analysis
- educational curricula
- faith discussions
- media reporting
Key Concepts
canon formation
historical criticism
cultural transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- How does understanding the Bible's transmission affect its authority?
- What role do oral traditions play in preserving history?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate the chaos, ignoring scholarly consensus on textual stability and core continuity
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![“I think for a lot of people, it's just where their saturation point was. Once you get into the [Donald] Trump stuff and the Republican stuff and the Ayn Rand followers, it doesn't let up for about half an hour. It gets hard and stays hard for a while.” quote by David Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dba/david-cross-3386_followers_i-think-for-a-lot-of-people-it-s-just-wh_76534.jpg)
