Over the expansive time frame in which the Bible was written and subsequently compiled into it's current varied forms: slavery was acceptable; women were deemed, if not inferior, then at least second-class; war was glorious; everyone who was not with you was against you.
One of the things that intriges me about the Bible is that it doesn't pick favourites. By that I mean it shows the many sides of the characters in it's pages; the successes and failures and human weaknesses; their stuggles and longings, their selfishness and faith and doubt.
History, it's said, is written by the winners... but the Bible is full of failed attempts at faith and obedience. If anything it stands before us as a mirror; confronting us with our nature and ego and the consequences of our self-centred actions. If the winners wrote the Bible, they sure didn't paint themselves in a very good light.
One other thing. If it's true that we humans are made in God's image or likeness, divinely inspired... how is it that God, who's defined as BEING love can't seem to get past spanking his kids. I mean, I'm not the greatest dad in the world, but I do know that punishment is not the same as consequence... that punishment is not justice served... that lessons are learned through love and mercy and supportive encouragement and not a stick across the backside. I certainly wouldn't kill them to make a point. Worse yet, punish the siblings for the offence of another. Ludicrous.
So does this make me more God-like to be compassionate and loving and merciful; to want to spare my children harm and suffering? Or am I more human? This raises another question.
Does God learn as he goes? Is God in the journey along with us? Some would say so. Punted from Eden, wrath poured out via flood, plagues, genocides... enacted and commanded... A change of tactic with the Jesus maneuver?
I'm more of the opinion that as one of the "wise" Bible writers said, "Prophecy is subject to the prophet." Meaning, there's a lot of editorial license taken in the recording of scripture. Biases are not easily shaken, nor are one's dreams or personal ambitions.
Saturday Links
-
Go Beyond the Sex Questions
Reflections on Seven Years of Church Planting
The Vision Without Which People Perish
Do You Use “Gospel” as an Adjective Mor...
4 comments:
Great questions you are asking, Nathan!
Hey Jodi,
Thanks for the encouraging comments... a cool breath of wind in the heat of the day.
I tend to think that we miss so much of what's there because we refuse to develop a nuanced way of reading. If we don't take the contents of the Bible as straight-up how-to manual, then we're heretical.
These days I'm thinking it more likely that many of the stories are included to show how wrong things can go when we think we hear God's voice, but only ascribe to God what we ourselves want.
Appreciate this post, Nathan.
Peace :)
"...we think we hear God's voice, but only ascribe to God what we ourselves want."
That's so powerful. The idea that because we're trusting God then whatever we think we're hearing or sensing MUST be God is so dangerously egocentric.
Thanks for this.
Post a Comment