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James_Lai · Jan 10, 2022

Hello.

I often think of this. I see my Christian friends those who are serious in faith, seem to be mostly interested in the history and culture of the Biblical lands, peoples and period. Anything beyond this is not of much interest to them. I understand this, but is it a right thing to do?

I see at the grocery store National Geographic magazine and other periodic publications regularly dedicated to the Biblical history or anthropology. Seems to be a recurring theme. They do publish on other subjects, but with emphasis on the Biblical subject. Probably targeting religious people who will buy the Biblical history, but not some other?

How come people know forefathers of another nation across the globe, but aren’t interested so much in their own? They’ll discuss vocabulary and grammar of ancient languages in a far land, but wouldn’t look at their own mother tongue’s paleo-linguistics? They’ll tell you which tribe fought against which tribe in the Palestine few millennia ago and how their leaders or heroes were named, but won’t be able to tell you which nations took part in WWII, for example.

There are lessons to learn from history, and if you shut your mind from your own roots or from a global prospective, then is it not a dangerous situation where you lose objectivity?

timf · Jan 10, 2022

if you shut your mind from your own roots or from a global prospective, then is it not a dangerous situation where you lose objectivity?

Your many posts at first glance seem perhaps excessive but sincere in seeking to learn about Christianity. However, when pressed, you seem intransigent in the advocacy of a sort of secular religion (the worship of man in general and often self in particular).

Advocacy (even when couched as inquiry) seems to show an even evangelistic appeal to "come over to our side". The previous suggestion that the bible be improved through making it over is also reflective of such advocacy.

Going beyond advocacy is entering into an accusative mode. One might think there was a manipulative intent behind such posturing.

Suggesting that it is dangerous for people not to abandon what you suggest is provincialism to embrace globalism seems an even bolder attempt to bully people into your world view.

You have received a great deal of attention but to me it is becoming increasing clear that people can be hurt, their faith undermined, and well intentioned Christians may be deceived by such tactics.

"Is it true that God hath said,..."

Vesper_Jaye✝️ · Jan 10, 2022

I think it’s important to learn about all kinds of history, but there are some reasons that some Christians would specifically pay attention to Biblical history.
Some Christians want to know of possible findings of Biblical places like the Tower of Babel, the ark, or the Garden of Eden, so that they can use historical evidence to prove the Bible.
Some Christians are interested in learning Biblical history because it helps them understand events in the Bible better.
There are other reasons too, but I can’t think this early in the morning lol

James_Lai · Jan 10, 2022

timf said:
if you shut your mind from your own roots or from a global prospective, then is it not a dangerous situation where you lose objectivity?

Your many posts at first glance seem perhaps excessive but sincere in seeking to learn about Christianity. However, when pressed, you seem intransigent in the advocacy of a sort of secular religion (the worship of man in general and often self in particular).

Advocacy (even when couched as inquiry) seems to show an even evangelistic appeal to "come over to our side". The previous suggestion that the bible be improved through making it over is also reflective of such advocacy.

Going beyond advocacy is entering into an accusative mode. One might think there was a manipulative intent behind such posturing.

Suggesting that it is dangerous for people not to abandon what you suggest is provincialism to embrace globalism seems an even bolder attempt to bully people into your world view.

You have received a great deal of attention but to me it is becoming increasing clear that people can be hurt, their faith undermined, and well intentioned Christians may be deceived by such tactics.

"Is it true that God hath said,..."

If you don’t like my questions, you can ignore them. Why the need to judge me and to attach labels? Aren’t forums a place for free discussions avoiding ad hominem? I learned a lot from everyone, and I really appreciate it.

James_Lai · Jan 10, 2022

Vesper_Jaye✝️ said:
I think it’s important to learn about all kinds of history, but there are some reasons that some Christians would specifically pay attention to Biblical history.
Some Christians want to know of possible findings of Biblical places like the Tower of Babel, the ark, or the Garden of Eden, so that they can use historical evidence to prove the Bible.
Some Christians are interested in learning Biblical history because it helps them understand events in the Bible better.
There are other reasons too, but I can’t think this early in the morning lol

Yes I understand that and it’s good, but I’m asking about why this becomes almost the only focus of interest?

Albion · Jan 10, 2022

James_Lai said:
How come people know forefathers of another nation across the globe, but aren’t interested so much in their own? They’ll discuss vocabulary and grammar of ancient languages in a far land, but wouldn’t look at their own mother tongue’s paelo-linguistics?

They’ll tell you which tribe fought against which tribe in the Palestine few millennia ago and how their leaders or heroes were named, but won’t be able to tell you which nations took part in WWII, for example.

Well, they'll tell you that the Bible is most important because it's God's word, and so they want to be experts in what it says. Ordinary history, unfortunately, is seen by them as transitory and of less importance.

Generally speaking, the people you are describing are from the fundamentalist kinds of churches.

There are lessons to learn from history, and if you shut your mind from your own roots or from a global prospective, then is it not a dangerous situation where you lose objectivity?

That's true.

Confused-by-christianity · Jan 10, 2022

James_Lai said:
...seem to be mostly interested in the history and culture of the Biblical lands, peoples and period. Anything beyond this is not of much interest to them...

I can't say much here because it hasn't been my experience.

James_Lai said:
...I understand this, but is it a right thing to do?...

I don't think it's morally wrong to be more interested in one bit of history or another.
If someone wants to know more about the holy land - more power to them. If not - thats fair enough.

James_Lai said:
...How come people know forefathers of another nation across the globe, but aren’t interested so much in their own?

I assume in an abstract way - the people you're refering to do consider the people of the holy land as a type of "forefather". More important than heredity I suspect.

James_Lai said:
...They’ll discuss vocabulary and grammar of ancient languages in a far land, but wouldn’t look at their own mother tongue’s paelo-linguistics?

Basically - because they want to refine their faith and make it better.

BobRyan · Jan 10, 2022

James_Lai said:
Hello.

I often think of this. I see my Christian friends those who are serious in faith, seem to be mostly interested in the history and culture of the Biblical lands, peoples and period. Anything beyond this is not of much interest to them. I understand this, but is it a right thing to do?

I see at the grocery store National Geographic magazine and other periodic publications regularly dedicated to the Biblical history or anthropology. Seems to be a recurring theme. They do publish on other subjects, but with emphasis on the Biblical subject. Probably targeting religious people who will buy the Biblical history, but not some other?

How come people know forefathers of another nation across the globe, but aren’t interested so much in their own? They’ll discuss vocabulary and grammar of ancient languages in a far land, but wouldn’t look at their own mother tongue’s paleo-linguistics? They’ll tell you which tribe fought against which tribe in the Palestine few millennia ago and how their leaders or heroes were named, but won’t be able to tell you which nations took part in WWII, for example.

There are lessons to learn from history, and if you shut your mind from your own roots or from a global prospective, then is it not a dangerous situation where you lose objectivity?

I know first hand of a number Christians that love world history. But as for your question about why Bible history is so much more fascinating... it is because salvation of mankind does not devolve around who won the Peloponnesian War (for example)

Maria Billingsley · Jan 10, 2022

James_Lai said:
Hello.

I often think of this. I see my Christian friends those who are serious in faith, seem to be mostly interested in the history and culture of the Biblical lands, peoples and period. Anything beyond this is not of much interest to them. I understand this, but is it a right thing to do?

I see at the grocery store National Geographic magazine and other periodic publications regularly dedicated to the Biblical history or anthropology. Seems to be a recurring theme. They do publish on other subjects, but with emphasis on the Biblical subject. Probably targeting religious people who will buy the Biblical history, but not some other?

How come people know forefathers of another nation across the globe, but aren’t interested so much in their own? They’ll discuss vocabulary and grammar of ancient languages in a far land, but wouldn’t look at their own mother tongue’s paleo-linguistics? They’ll tell you which tribe fought against which tribe in the Palestine few millennia ago and how their leaders or heroes were named, but won’t be able to tell you which nations took part in WWII, for example.

There are lessons to learn from history, and if you shut your mind from your own roots or from a global prospective, then is it not a dangerous situation where you lose objectivity?

Biblical history is one thing, family/local history is another. I am sure Christians can manage to study both. I know I can. Blessings.

Akita Suggagaki · Jan 10, 2022

I think many people may be threatened by examining their own history. Might find something that disturbs them or does not fit their world view.

trophy33 · Jan 10, 2022

James_Lai said:
Yes I understand that and it’s good, but I’m asking about why this becomes almost the only focus of interest?

People are different and Christians are, too.

You are generalizing based on some few you personally know. Some care about this, some care about other things.

Estrid · Jan 10, 2022

James_Lai said:
Hello.

I often think of this. I see my Christian friends those who are serious in faith, seem to be mostly interested in the history and culture of the Biblical lands, peoples and period. Anything beyond this is not of much interest to them. I understand this, but is it a right thing to do?

I see at the grocery store National Geographic magazine and other periodic publications regularly dedicated to the Biblical history or anthropology. Seems to be a recurring theme. They do publish on other subjects, but with emphasis on the Biblical subject. Probably targeting religious people who will buy the Biblical history, but not some other?

How come people know forefathers of another nation across the globe, but aren’t interested so much in their own? They’ll discuss vocabulary and grammar of ancient languages in a far land, but wouldn’t look at their own mother tongue’s paleo-linguistics? They’ll tell you which tribe fought against which tribe in the Palestine few millennia ago and how their leaders or heroes were named, but won’t be able to tell you which nations took part in WWII, for example.

There are lessons to learn from history, and if you shut your mind from your own roots or from a global prospective, then is it not a dangerous situation where you lose objectivity?

I always found it strange the way Christians appropriated that history as if it were their own.

trophy33 · Jan 10, 2022

Estrid said:
I always found it strange the way Christians appropriated that history as if it were their own.

Generally speaking, a Christian has two histories - of his spiritual ancestors and of his physical ancestors.

If they were buddhists, they would perhaps focus on the life of Buddha and on the Indian and Chinese history. Its the same thing.

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