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How the Bible was Invented: A Lecture Delivered Before the Independent Religious Society

Written by M. M. (Mangasar Mugurditch) Mangasarian

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Bible

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About this book

“How the Bible Was Invented” by M. M. Mangasarian is a critical examination of the origins and authorship of the Bible, presented as a lecture delivered in the early 20th century. This book serves as a polemic aimed at exposing the notion that the Bible is divinely inspired, proposing instead that it is a constructed work with various human influences and deceit. The author argues against the idea that the sacred text was given by God, suggesting it is a product of human fabrication infused with mythology and misrepresentation. In the book, Mangasarian discusses several key points, including the historical context of the Bible's creation and the dishonest practices of early church figures. He brings forth examples from both the Old and New Testaments to highlight inconsistencies, alleged forgeries, and the manipulation of texts over centuries. The author critiques the tendency of believers to accept the Bible without scrutiny and emphasizes the need for open inquiry and criticism regarding religious texts. Ultimately, he advocates for a more honest and tolerant approach to understanding religion and encourages readers to question traditional dogmas that have, he claims, hindered intellectual progress.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in How the Bible was Invented: A Lecture Delivered Before the Independent Religious Society, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 2 hours
  • intermediate
  • Critical
  • Provocative
  • Intellectual

M. M. Mangasarian's "How the Bible Was Invented" is a powerful early 20th-century polemic presented as a lecture, challenging the notion of the Bible's divine inspiration. Instead, Mangasarian posits that the sacred text is a human construct, replete with historical inaccuracies, deliberate fabrications, and mythological influences. He meticulously dissects both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting inconsistencies and alleged deceptions by early religious figures to argue against uncritical acceptance of dogma. Ultimately, the work advocates for intellectual honesty, open inquiry, and a more tolerant understanding of religion, asserting that traditional doctrines have impeded human progress.

“The Bible was not given by God, but made by man.”

Key themes

Critique of Divine Inspiration
This is the central thesis of Mangasarian's work, directly challenging the fundamental belief in the Bible as the inerrant word of God. He systematically argues that the text is a human product, subject to human error, intention, and manipulation, rather than supernatural revelation. He uses historical and textual analysis to dismantle the notion of divine authorship.
Human Fabrication and Historical Construction of Texts
Mangasarian meticulously details how the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, was a constructed work. He focuses on the involvement of various human figures—authors, editors, scribes, councils—who shaped, altered, and compiled the texts over centuries. This theme emphasizes the historical, cultural, and political forces that influenced the Bible's formation, proposing that it reflects human societies more than divine decree.
Intellectual Freedom and Skepticism vs. Dogma
A core philosophical tenet of the lecture is the advocacy for open inquiry and skepticism against the uncritical acceptance of religious dogma. Mangasarian argues that intellectual progress is stifled when individuals are discouraged from questioning traditional beliefs. He champions the application of reason and historical scrutiny to sacred texts, encouraging readers to think independently rather than conforming to inherited doctrines.

Worth discussing

How does Mangasarian's argument about the Bible's 'invention' compare with modern biblical scholarship?

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