The Problem isn't the Bible

[gluadys]

"The Bible is too good and too important to be left to those who won't think critically about it. And frankly, it is too dangerous."

From an interesting article by Brian McLaren

The Problem Isn't the Bible

 

[Resha Caner]

From an interesting article by Brian McLaren

McLaren? Hmm.

Here's what I hear him saying:
* Everything is relative
* It's all about what the Bible means to me

 

[gluadys]

McLaren? Hmm.

Here's what I hear him saying:
* Everything is relative
* It's all about what the Bible means to me

That last sentence cuts two ways doesn't it?
Would it not be true that anyone's understanding of the Bible is about "what the Bible means to me?"

 

[Resha Caner]

That last sentence cuts two ways doesn't it?
Would it not be true that anyone's understanding of the Bible is about "what the Bible means to me?"

I thought you might answer that way, but I think you know what I mean.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

Resha, one of my constant 'problems' is that of the Pharisees during Jesus' time.

They were all students of the Scriptures. They were all students of the commentaries on the Law and the thoughts of the Talmudic scholars. They were the most highly educated men of the era on things Scriptural.

So, did Jesus argue with them because they were 'right' or because they were 'wrong'?

The older I get and the more Bible I study and begin to comprehend, the less I trust those who tell me they're expert.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

I thought this might go on longer. I need to add this comment.

The Bible is not the problem. The problem is the specific 'understandings' people with an agenda have twisted out of context.

 

[EugenSpierer]

I think the relativist understanding of the bible - the personal interpretations we give it - are the natural continuation of the protestant reformation. If cathlicism started being massively fractioned back then, I think its fractioning to "single person churches" is understandable, even welcome. At least this would take away the power of any one interpreter and it would surely encourage much more interesting debate. So no, the bible is not the problem.

 

[lesliedellow]

I found myself at home in the upper right quadrant, where I can enter the Bible as a library, a literary collection containing poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and other genres, and where I have complete freedom to ask questions about the Bible's sources, development, internal tensions, biases, accuracy, cultural context, and genre.

The problem with biblical criticism for the last 100-150 years has been that there is one kind of question it has forgotten to ask, and that is the religious or theological kind.

So, did Jesus argue with them because they were 'right' or because they were 'wrong'?

He argued with them because they were self righteous, not because they were theologically serious.

 

[AV1611VET]

The Problem Isn't the Bible

Indeed!

The solution is the Bible!

 

[WindStaff]

The problem is how people interpret the Bible.

It's not so much about having different interpretations in and of itself, but rather completely presumptuous, uneducated, or inept interpretations.

There's simply no excuse as to why there are so many different beliefs and bickering within one religion, regardless of it's size.

I can understand different core denominations, but seriously- a new church and a new interpretation arises every second, every day. And that is not good- it is the result of careless pride replacing responsibility to accuracy.

The Bible definitely has it's pros and cons in being mass produced, there's really no real defending or opposing it's consequences when it comes down to it. It simply happened, and now we deal with, by extension, mass produced assumptions.

I say a good remedy would be to teach history and culture alongside the Bible. The ignorance of them often leads people to believing all sorts of things that are absurd.

 

[AV1611VET]

I say a good remedy would be to teach history and culture alongside the Bible. The ignorance of them often leads people to believing all sorts of things that are absurd.

In my opinion, these "absurdities" come from people who have their faith challenged, and are more or less prompted to come up with an explanation to an explanation to an explanation, etc.

In this regard, science is the worst of all, as one's faith can be challenged to no end.

Sure, I can say GOD DID IT or GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS to every question, but I try not to unless it's necessary.

 

[grandvizier1006]

I thought this might go on longer. I need to add this comment.

The Bible is not the problem. The problem is the specific 'understandings' people with an agenda have twisted out of context.

I just finished reading this GREAT book called "Misreading Scripture through Western Eyes". It not only confirmed my suspicions about the way some people interpret Bible verses (I've had people tell me that the Bible supports capitalism, for starters), but it's also helped me realize how much of an individualist I am when I read the Bible. I always think about how this verse affects me, and if it doesn't then I just don't care about it.

It was troubling because it made me wonder if I had been greatly deceived, but I'm young and fairly new in my Christian journey so I can manage

But yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly. And if you haven't read the book then you should check it out.

 

[grandvizier1006]

I think the relativist understanding of the bible - the personal interpretations we give it - are the natural continuation of the protestant reformation. If cathlicism started being massively fractioned back then, I think its fractioning to "single person churches" is understandable, even welcome. At least this would take away the power of any one interpreter and it would surely encourage much more interesting debate. So no, the bible is not the problem.

Ditto for your post as well. This is why I REALLY need to be looking into joining a Bible study.

 

[SkyWriting]

"The Bible is too good and too important to be left to those who won't think critically about it. And frankly, it is too dangerous."

I guess we should burn it then.

 

[SkyWriting]

It not only confirmed my suspicions about the way some people interpret Bible verses (I've had people tell me that the Bible supports capitalism, for starters),

If you punish people for stealing what belongs to others
then you are supporting the ideals of capitalism that
"stuff" belongs to individuals and not the collective.

And some passages condemn tax collectors but uphold
the idea of tax collection.

The idea of chosen representation is supported as well.

These are concepts which we have embraced, so you hardly
notice them in scripture, but savages would find them weird.

 

[grandvizier1006]

If you punish people for stealing what belongs to others
then you are supporting the ideals of capitalism that
"stuff" belongs to individuals and not the collective.

And some passages condemn tax collectors but uphold
the idea of tax collection.

The idea of chosen representation is supported as well.

These are concepts which we have embraced, so you hardly
notice them in scripture, but savages would find them weird.

Wait, what do you mean? I thought representative democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of religion were western concepts. I think they're good ideas, I just don't want to say that this or that "good idea" is "I'm the bible" when it isn't.

 

[joshua 1 9]

Indeed!

The solution is the Bible!

John 21:25 "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

 

[joshua 1 9]

Wait, what do you mean? I thought representative democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of religion were western concepts. I think they're good ideas, I just don't want to say that this or that "good idea" is "I'm the bible" when it isn't.

2cor10:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

Gen6:5 "GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."