Reading about old codes (laws) that predate Moses and his commandments.

I think the shock value only comes if you’re interpreting the Bible as a historical record of actual events.

I don't think the bible was ever supposed to be a complete historical record of the events of the entire world of other peoples and the surrounding nations and pagan religions. The bible started off mostly a story about the original couple and the rebellion that followed. Then it mostly chronicled events from God's people's perspective such as the Israelites and then the Christians. Some history of course can be found as it relates to the world around God's people but it was never meant to cover the history of the people that broke off from God's selected people at the time.

/r/religion Thread Parent