I'm not so sure. To a reader not committed to the scientific worldview and its self-made definition of evidence... And then there's the Sermon on the Mount in there, too. Not exactly a prescription to embrace scientism.
That's the point, only a non-thinking, non-critical mind could accept the bible prima facie. In fact, most Christian will go thru all kind of contortions to segregate some absurdities found there, such as the killing of children for insulting an old man.......
The reader not committed to the scientific worldview should consider where along the lines of progress, understanding and innovation we would all be without the kind of critical scientific thought that got us this far (and with no end in sight). Such a thought exercise would provide some much-needed perspective. And while science may perhaps not answer all of life's questions, it does a far better job of explaining the word we live in than does the bible.
Yes, it seems that each devoted reader decides for himself what is symbolic in some manner or other, and what is "literally true." Such rigor, eh?
But would you admit that the very definition of what is a "thinking" mind, a "critical" mind, is heavily influenced today by scientism? Imo it's already loaded. Not that I'm arguing for discarding the scientific method, it's a useful tool in the kit. As for the absurdities, *shrug*, history is full of such even without pulling examples from any of the world's various scriptures.
i can wittle it down even further. just read these verses and ask yourself. did jesus lie? 1) And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, `Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22 NAS) 2) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NAB) 3) Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. (Matthew 18:19-20 NAS) 4) Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. (Mark 11:24-25 NAB) 5) And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:9-13 NAB) 6) And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14 NAB) 7) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. (John 15:7 NAB) 8) It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. (John 15:16 NAB) 9) On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. (John 16:23-24 NAB)