# Does God write ALL books **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 23, 2015, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526 "2015-10-23T12:03:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/41 "2015-10-23T20:06:37Z")
He _does_, however, write the songs. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/42 "2015-10-23T20:09:28Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Of course not. I assume you are referring to the relevant passages of Torah while completely missing the point. The difference between Torah law and the laws of the neighboring countries isn’t that rape of captives was acceptable; that was universally practiced at that time and place. The difference is that Torah imposed some obligations on the rapist, to assume financial responsibility for the woman for the rest of her life rather than just kick her out the door when he was done. > > The point is that we are shown the direction in which to move toward God – the direction of respecting the humanity of those who are disadvantaged and unable to protect themselves. Each generation must figure out how to apply these principles in their own unique situation. Thankfully, enough progress has been made that the Torah laws now themselves now seem horrifying cruel and archaic, but the point behind the laws remains valid as ever. If my grandmother had wheels, she would be a wagon. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/43 "2015-10-23T20:18:02Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > He _does_, however, write the songs. The ones the whole world sings? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/44 "2015-10-23T20:19:07Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Of course not. I assume you are referring to the relevant passages of Torah while completely missing the point. The difference between Torah law and the laws of the neighboring countries isn’t that rape of captives was acceptable; that was universally practiced at that time and place. The difference is that Torah imposed some obligations on the rapist, to assume financial responsibility for the woman for the rest of her life rather than just kick her out the door when he was done. > > The point is that we are shown the direction in which to move toward God – the direction of respecting the humanity of those who are disadvantaged and unable to protect themselves. Each generation must figure out how to apply these principles in their own unique situation. Thankfully, enough progress has been made that the Torah laws now themselves now seem horrifying cruel and archaic, but the point behind the laws remains valid as ever. So, when we read that homosexuals should be stoned to death, should we think of that as an improvement over some contemporaneous practice of something worse, like perhaps beheading homosexuals? Man, you’re truly a “glass half full” kind of guy! ---
**Author:** ![IDtenT\_Error](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@IDtenT\_Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDtenT_Error)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/45 "2015-10-23T20:23:22Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > He _does_, however, write the songs. Naw, that was [Barry Manilow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-fev20voMc). I hate you for making me look that up. You should be punished in hell, forever, for that. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/46 "2015-10-23T20:31:44Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > So, when we read that homosexuals should be stoned to death, should we think of that as an improvement over some contemporaneous practice of something worse, like perhaps beheading homosexuals? > > Man, you’re truly a “glass half full” kind of guy! It doesn’t actually specify any particular method of execution. Personally, I would read that with my left brain as some fucked up Bronze Age shit, and with my right brain as a caution to check myself for the sort of violent and judgmental tendencies which the text is exemplifying. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/47 "2015-10-23T20:33:43Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > Naw, that was [Barry Manilow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-fev20voMc). I hate you for making me look that up. You should be punished in hell, forever, for that. [QUOTE=Wikipedia] Johnston has stated that, for him, the “I” in the song is God and that songs come from the spirit of creativity in all of us. Manilow was initially reluctant to record the song, stating in his autobiography Sweet Life: “The problem with the song was that if you didn’t listen carefully to the lyric, you would think that the singer was singing about himself. It could be misinterpreted as a monumental ego trip.” [/QUOTE] So there you go. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/48 "2015-10-23T20:37:57Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > It doesn’t actually specify any particular method of execution. Personally, I would read that with my left brain as some fucked up Bronze Age shit, and with my right brain as a caution to check myself for the sort of violent and judgmental tendencies which the text is exemplifying. Ah - it’s just God using some good old reverse psychology. “Go kill those evil bastards!!! Or… should you?” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/49 "2015-10-23T20:39:45Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > Naw, that was [Barry Manilow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-fev20voMc). I hate you for making me look that up. You should be punished in hell, forever, for that. Actually, it was Bruce Johnson. Manilow was the singer. And I didn’t even have to look it up. _slinks away in shame_ ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/50 "2015-10-23T20:53:27Z")
I think it would follow from predestination that God is responsible for all works (maybe), but not from the three omnis. If God is responsible for Mein Kampf, is that the Revealed Truth or a Teachable Moment? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/51 "2015-10-23T22:24:22Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Doesn’t look sinful to me?](http://www.animatedengines.com/wankel.html) when I was young & foolish, I was suckered into buying a car with one of those wanking engines – that was certainly a sin by the seller. An absolute maintainable piece of junk! Forty-some years later, and I would still never, ever consider buying anything from Mazda! I hope they all burn in hell. ---
**Author:** ![IDtenT\_Error](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@IDtenT\_Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDtenT_Error)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/52 "2015-10-23T23:23:46Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > So there you go. 🙂 OK, Barry Manilow should be killed first. Then we’ll kill you. We’re still getting to you. Just you wait… ---
**Author:** ![tooldtocare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/53 "2015-10-23T23:44:15Z")
**Does God write ALL books** I have asked myself the same question before. I am a Christian and I attended a Catholic school through the third grade. During those years, we never talked about the Old Testament. I married a Baptist and attended her Church which was all about the New. In my 60’s and needing something to do I read the Old for the first time. The tail of the Israelites, the Romans and the rest. It’s telling indeed. While reading those verses I did indeed ask myself the very same question you are asking today. ---
**Author:** ![IDtenT\_Error](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@IDtenT\_Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDtenT_Error)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/54 "2015-10-24T04:38:21Z")
> [@tooldtocare](#): > > In my 60’s and needing something to do I read the Old for the first time. The tail of the Israelites, the Romans and the rest. The Romans didn’t show up in the area until sometime after the war of the Maccabees, which even by the Catholic canon was sometime after the last of the OT was written. Romans are only in the NT. ---
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/55 "2015-10-24T12:57:53Z")
Yes God did write all Barry Manilow’s songs. But He’s not just some distant “blind watchmaker” in hiding. No. He’s ever present in all words. In fact He’s in all words past, present and future for all eternity. Even the opening instructions on your tin of tuna are the word of God. Anyone claiming to have God’s exclusive text is pulling your leg, and possibly after your money. Don’t you agree so ? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2015, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/56 "2015-10-24T13:34:55Z")
> [@MrQwertyasd](#): > > Even the opening instructions on your tin of tuna are the word of God. What about sardine tins, and why do they so often fail to open easily? [QUOTE=Ezekiel 47:9] "It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![tooldtocare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/57 "2015-10-24T16:24:40Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > \*If God is the author of everything, then it means that He is responsible not only for good stuff, but for the awful writing as well…,.,. \* In my view God did not write the “books”. They were written by human beings & passed on from one generation to another tweeting pieces and parts of the verses along the way ---
**Author:** ![tooldtocare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/58 "2015-10-24T16:28:26Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > _The Romans didn’t show up in the area until sometime after the war of the Maccabees, which even by the Catholic canon was sometime after the last of the OT was written. Romans are only in the NT._ Thank you for clarifying this. I did have it wrong all this time again thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tooldtocare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/59 "2015-10-24T16:39:10Z")
**Kayaker:** Originally Posted by Ezekiel 47:9 _"It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes._ I have never seen that verse before. **Kayaker** thanks for posting it ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526/60 "2015-10-24T16:53:24Z")
No, but God writes all the tell-all books [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526.md?page=4)