Why does God need a book?

[OnceConvinced]

The bible tells us about the Book of Life, which contains the names of those who have been saved and are going to Heaven. If your name does not appear you go to Hell. (Chick Tracts even have God asking the chief Angel "Does his name appear in the book of life?")

There are two issues I have with this (and topics for discussion):

1) If God is all knowing and he knows each of us personally, then why does he need a book to record our names? Santa doesn't need a book to know who's naughty and nice. He just knows. But God needs a book. Why does he need a book when he is all knowing?

2) Why a book? Wouldn't they have really amazing technology in Heaven? You'd think they'd have computers, perhaps even something superior to computers. If the bible had described some kind of metal box that contained all the names... or perhaps a flat round disk, that would go a long way to showing that the bible was divine and not just ancient man's ignorance. Imagine how huge the book would have to be! It would be mammoth. So why use a book rather than some other form of data storage?

Feel free to speculate, even if you have nothing solid.

[bluethread]

Sorry, for coming in late, but Adonai does not need a book. The references to "a book", more likely a scroll, is for the benefit of the reader. I suppose when the Scripture say, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." we are supposed to worry about the people who will be crushed when He puts His feet up, right?

Your quote comes from the book of Isaiah, written by a completely different author in a different time. So how is it logical to try to compare them? Your example is clearly a metaphor for the reasons you identify, however a simple book with names of who is righteous is not obviously a metaphor. It's not as simple to identify in this instance and it seems very literal.

I'm sure 2000 years ago it would have been reasonable to see it as a literal book, especially considering they believed Jesus was returning in their life time and they didn't realise just how large the world was. Now 2000 years on it's not so reasonable, so I understand yours and other Christians needs to turn it into a metaphor. I'm not buying that it is meant as a metaphor though.

Sorry, but the only biblical references I have seen so far are 1Cor. 13:5 and Rev. 20. There is a bit about a chick tract, but are you really going to require me to defend that? 1Cor. 13:5 is clearly using an idiom, when it talks about love not keeping a record of wrongs. Do you actually think Paul is saying that it is OK to hold a grudge as long as one does not write it down? Also, the book of the Revelation is idiomatic from beginning to end. Many things in it can be related to actual things and events, but the language is clearly an amalgam of Scriptural idioms and symbols.

[myth-one.com]

The bible tells us about the Book of Life, which contains the names of those who have been saved and are going to Heaven. If your name does not appear you go to Hell.

The Bible represents two covenants between man and God.

Those who qualify as heirs under either testament are granted everlasting life, or salvation.

The Book of Life is simply the legal document listing the heirs who qualify for the inheritance of everlasting life under that covenant.

Why not a book?

But the inheritance is everlasting life, not everlasting life in Heaven. That is a very common error.

[sf]

The bible tells us about the Book of Life, which contains the names of those who have been saved and are going to Heaven. If your name does not appear you go to Hell. (Chick Tracts even have God asking the chief Angel "Does his name appear in the book of life?")

There are two issues I have with this (and topics for discussion):

1) If God is all knowing and he knows each of us personally, then why does he need a book to record our names?

He likely does not need a book. I think of it as an analogy to make it easier for us to comprehend. Nevertheless, I've never given it much thought and am interested in what others have to say.

Santa doesn't need a book to know who's naughty and nice. He just knows.

I thought Santa had a list too? You know, he even checks it twice

[sf]

The bible tells us about the Book of Life, which contains the names of those who have been saved and are going to Heaven. If your name does not appear you go to Hell. (Chick Tracts even have God asking the chief Angel "Does his name appear in the book of life?")

There are two issues I have with this (and topics for discussion):

1) If God is all knowing and he knows each of us personally, then why does he need a book to record our names?

He likely does not need a book. I think of it as an analogy to make it easier for us to comprehend. Nevertheless, I've never given it much thought and am interested in what others have to say.

Before everyone jumps on me for saying a word (analogy) that is similar to metaphor, in reading the posts I realized that I need to ask a clarifying question. OnceConvinced: is your question why does God need a physical record or any kind or why does he need a book specifically? I was thinking you meant a book, which is why I said maybe it's an analogy for whatever the physical record really looks like. Or do you mean why does God need a record outside his "mind" in the first place?

[OnceConvinced]

Why not a book?

I think I've given enough good reasons why not a book.

Santa doesn't need a book to know who's naughty and nice. He just knows.

I thought Santa had a list too? You know, he even checks it twice

Yeah I forgot all about that song. But whoever wrote that song didn't believe in the one true Santa. He believed in a false Santa.

I realized that I need to ask a clarifying question. OnceConvinced: is your question why does God need a physical record or any kind or why does he need a book specifically? I was thinking you meant a book, which is why I said maybe it's an analogy for whatever the physical record really looks like. Or do you mean why does God need a record outside his "mind" in the first place?

Both questions really

Why would he need any type of reference material at all when he's a god.
Why, if he needed one or wanted one would he choose a book?

If the book is simply an analogy or metaphor then it's fine, but I'm not convinced that it was meant to be an analogy or a metaphor. If this question was raised 2000 years ago, I would think it would be reasonable to expect that a book would be sufficient and relevant. However 2000 years on...

[JoeyKnothead]

From Post 48:

Noting there's legitimate "wiggle room" in the context of the quoted statement...

The Bible represents two covenants between man and God.

I reject any accusation that I, being among "man", have made a "covenant" with an entity I can't even show exists.

As relates to this "all of us" notion then, I find it quite bothersome when Christians'd enact legislation based on a "covenant" they can't show to be anything but Christian propaganda.

[sf]

Yeah I forgot all about that song. But whoever wrote that song didn't believe in the one true Santa. He believed in a false Santa.

I saw a postcard the other day that had Santa in a therapist office saying his OCD is acting up; he's checking his list three or four times now

I realized that I need to ask a clarifying question. OnceConvinced: is your question why does God need a physical record or any kind or why does he need a book specifically? I was thinking you meant a book, which is why I said maybe it's an analogy for whatever the physical record really looks like. Or do you mean why does God need a record outside his "mind" in the first place?

Both questions really

Why would he need any type of reference material at all when he's a god.
Why, if he needed one or wanted one would he choose a book?

If the book is simply an analogy or metaphor then it's fine, but I'm not convinced that it was meant to be an analogy or a metaphor. If this question was raised 2000 years ago, I would think it would be reasonable to expect that a book would be sufficient and relevant. However 2000 years on...

Although not all Christians agree, there is a doctrine that once someone is saved, they cannot lose it by making mistakes (sinning). Could this be a reason to have the name in a book instead of God's mind: so that once the name is written down, it cannot be removed?

[Zzyzx]

.

Although not all Christians agree, there is a doctrine that once someone is saved, they cannot lose it by making mistakes (sinning). Could this be a reason to have the name in a book instead of God's mind: so that once the name is written down, it cannot be removed?

Is this to say that God's memory and trustworthiness is trusted LESS than a book?

Is there a fear that God will change his mind about someone's "salvation" or worthiness or whatever?

Actually, doesn't it seem reasonable that ancient writers invented the book concept to promote their ideas -- while having no concept of what God or advanced technology could do?

[Clownboat]

[Replying to post 9 by Zzyzx]

Do you assume that story (or a bible story) is true if the writer claims it is true (as you said previously)?

I did not say I assume , I said I accept .

Do you assume that a person has not read the entire bible if they misquote it?

I did not say I assume , I said I realized .

Do you speculate about the existence of God (since that cannot be shown to be true)?

I do not speculate , I believe . You speculate about God's existence and for you to say it can not be shown to be true it would mean that you know everything .
There is a difference in meaning between the words believe , realize and the words assume and speculate .

spec-u-late
spekylt/Submit
verb
1.
form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence

You don't speculate you say. Great, please provide the evidence that caused you to accept that the god of the Bible is real.

Since you don't speculate, I must assume you have evidence. Please supply it for examination, or perhaps admit that you do speculate.

To believe without evidence would be to speculate. To believe due to evidence, would not be speculating. Please provide the evidence that causes your beliefs to not be speculations or assumptions. Anyone can make claims of course....

[OnceConvinced]

Although not all Christians agree, there is a doctrine that once someone is saved, they cannot lose it by making mistakes (sinning). Could this be a reason to have the name in a book instead of God's mind: so that once the name is written down, it cannot be removed?

I can understand why they would disagree. Rev 3:5 very much implies it is possible for you to have your name removed. It also strongly indicates it's possible to be an ex-Christian.

Rev 3:5
He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

It would be scarcely necessary to say "I will not erase his name" if it were something that couldn't happen.