If the books of the bible are forgeries, why bother to read them?

What does it mean when someone says, “this may not have happened, but it’s true?”

Most Christian theologians agree that some of the books of the bible were not written by their stated authors. Some were outright forgeries, meant to counter a “heretical” school of thought in another Christian community; others were written by disciples of the supposed authors.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were probably written by their followers.

So why even read them, if they aren’t historically accurate? What’s the point?

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.- Phil. 4:8 

It depends on how you define the word “truth.” We’re generally conditioned to think that scientific and historical truth is the only accurate truth. But what about the the parable of the Good Samaritan or the Prodigal Son? Did they really happen? Are they “true?”

Today’s pop theology is a muddle of ancient, medieval, Enlightenment and modern strands of thinking. We still think of heaven as “up there” — a relic of ancient thought. We think that Jesus died as a sacrifice for us — ancient again. We think that Jesus’ death on a cross satisfied God’s need for justice — a medieval theory from about 1100 AD. We think that a story that “didn’t really happen” is not true — a product of our scientific age.

We need to clean our theological house and re-define the question, “is it true?” Does the story or poem or sermon stimulate you to love God and neighbor? Then it might be true.

So why read the bible at all? 

Simple answer — because it’s our story. It is a vehicle for our own spiritual transformation. When I read the bible, I’m in that story or song. And sometimes it changes me — for the better.