You're dodging my point: Rook mistranslated the text, or used a flawed translation. That leads him to conclude that the text is contradictory, when this verse is not in the least.

You know what? I really could care less. I raise a legitimate point and you answer with a non-sequitar. So much for the vaunted rationality of the atheists. Your pal mistranslated the verse and took it out of context. That's either sloppiness or intellectual dishonesty. When I call him on it (one of many examples I noticed in his long list by the by) you don't focus on the issues I raised, which any legitimate biblical scholar, whether they believe in biblical inerrency or not, would address. Instead you try to turn your pal's mistakes into proof that god doesn't exist.

I am reminded of a midrash which goes something like this: Moses is ready to start writing the Torah, and HaShem is dictating to him: "Berieshis Barah Elokim". Moses objects to writing this, saying that in the future some goy will err, and say that a deity named Bereishis created God. HaShem replies "Let them err!"

I realize that you are not capable of honest discussions, which makes me wonder why you put up this section of your forum. On the one hand you call far and wide for "theists" to come and debate you, but when they do on your own terms, and point out that you made a mistake you attack them.

Last time I checked the purpose of Higher Biblical Criticism is to arrive at some sort of understanding about the text. This requires an understanding that all translations are not perfect, and some are far more imperfect than others. This is why legitimate Biblical Critics never rely solely on translations, they actually learn Biblical Hebrew. They also look at the context of the verses, which is where they find "contradictions". No serious Biblical Scholar at any decent university would have made the basic mistakes that Rook is making in his "list". I decided to choose a verse from his list at random look it up in Hebrew, and compare his translation to others. My conclusions were that his translations were inaccurate, which deflates his arguments.

Then along comes the previous posters, who proceed to ask me questions which have nothing at all to do with the stated purpose of the "Biblical Errancy" forum. You atheists want to have your cake and eat it too. You want to argue that the Bible is not the word of god because there are mistakes in it; then when I point out that the "mistakes" may be the result of mistranslation you use that against me. After all, if HaShem wanted to make sure mankind understood His message, He should magically translate the text into every language, mystically correcting scribal errors, typos, and poor translations. You set the bar higher each time, but if I were to do that you'd attack me. Guess what: this is a two-way street. I have been civil in all of my posts, even posting a few jokes. In return I have been subjected to foul play from your side, and I'm calling you people on it.