# VII: Examination of the Old Testament explained — The Age of Reason

> Chapter companion for The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.

## What happens

Paine challenges the divine authority of the Old Testament, arguing that its books were selected by church vote rather than divine origin. He redefines 'prophet' as poet or musician, dismissing prophetic claims and condemning the Bible's immoral tales, while praising the Psalms and Proverbs as ethical works.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Biblical Inerrancy

Paine argues the Bible was compiled by human vote, contains errors, and cannot be the infallible word of God.

### Reason vs. Revelation

Paine distinguishes between true revelation (direct divine communication) and the Bible's historical tales, which he deems hearsay.

### Intellectual Freedom and Skepticism

Paine encourages readers to question the Bible's authority and think independently, rejecting imposed dogma.

## Character check-ins

### Thomas Paine

Author and critic, systematically deconstructing the Old Testament's claim to be the word of God.

### Moses

Mentioned as a possible author of Genesis; Paine doubts Moses wrote the creation account.

### Saul

Cited as an example of prophesying meaning musical performance, not prediction.

### David

Ranked among prophets as a musician and reputed author of Psalms.

### Samson

Used as an example of trivial stories in the Bible that have no revelatory value.

### Solomon

Attributed with Proverbs, though Paine suggests they are a later collection.

## Key lines

> These books, beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelations, (which, by the by, is a book of riddles that requires a revelation to explain it) are, we are told, the word of God. It is, therefore, proper for us to know who told us so, that we may know what credit to give to the report.

The Bible is claimed to be God's word, but we should ask who made that claim and whether it's trustworthy.

_Paine questions the source of the Bible's authority._

> When we contemplate the immensity of that Being, who directs and governs the incomprehensible whole, of which the utmost ken of human sight can discover but a part, we ought to feel shame at calling such paltry stories the word of God.

Given the vastness of the Creator, it is embarrassing to label trivial Bible stories as divine revelation.

_Paine contrasts the grandeur of God with the triviality of biblical narratives._

> The word was originally a term of science, promiscuously applied to poetry and to music, and not restricted to any subject upon which poetry and music might be exercised.

Originally, 'prophet' meant poet or musician, not a predictor of the future.

_Paine redefines 'prophet' to undermine traditional religious interpretations._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-vii-examination-of-the-old-testament
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters