Think you're interpreting it all right? Well, you're not, I guarantee it, because you have one of three ways you do it:
a) Using a system, method, or set of core values of interpreting the scriptures
b) Interpreting the scriptures however they speak to your spirit, or how seems most logical to you.
c) Ask your church what it says, and go with that.
Concerning a): every system of interpreting the Bible has a core value that it's all about, and unfortunately, they all contradict. Take for instance, the literalist method, in which you take scripture at face value, believing what it says is what it really means. The problem with this system is that people who espouse it never live it out fully. Ask a literalist if they believe Genesis 1-12 is literally true, and they'll tell you yes, without a doubt. Ask them if what Jesus said about eating his flesh and drinking his blood is literally true, and they'll say no way (argh, what are you, a heretic? A Catholic?) And I have yet to meet any Christian who thinks the Antichrist is actually going to have seven heads.
Concerning b): parts of Paul's Espistle To The Romans seem to favor this method, but are you sure? How do you know? What sits well with your spirit may not sit well with mine. Which of us has the Spirit more? Because I'm pretty sure that the same Holy Spirit wouldn't tell me and you two completely different things (or would he? hmmmm. (extremely deep line of thought that I toy with from time to time that would make you think I'm theologically nuts if I told you (but go ahead and ask me about it if you really want to know))).
By the way, good luck with Ecumenism when you try this one.
Concerning c): Makes you sound like a sheep, right? Well, maybe. You could also make the argument that you're just that humble and dead to self to the point where you need no prideful self-interpretation. You could argue it either way, but either way, you're not going bother getting your own food from scripture with this one, which will stifle your growth in Christ.
That, and a heck of a lot of Christians (and even non-Christians) won't respect you.
Now, I want to lead others to Christ with my life. For some reason, I have this crazy idea that my dumb blog could help me with that. But for this reason, as well as the fact that I feel called (like, 'one of my life-purposes' called) to promote unity between Christians of all denominations, I have consciously abstained from discussing scripture here thus far. I don't want to publicly argue with you about the Bible, plain and simple. It's too messy, and frankly, it makes Christians look like we don't love each other. Atheists mock our thousands of denominations and variance with scripture interpretation all the time, and rightly so-- if Jesus is the real deal, why aren't his followers united like he wanted them to be? Our venomous attitudes toward each other and our attitudes of superiority concerning Biblical interpretation really do kill our witness.
Nonetheless, I do have some ideas that I thought you might like. :D
There are some verses that, honestly, make Christianity really really hard, and it would be nice if they just weren't there. Do you know what I mean?
Check out Luke 6:
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.Really, Jesus? Did you honestly mean all that? Because, if I follow verses 27-31, I will become a doormat. Now, maybe the idea of this verse is that God would reward your right attitude, were you to behave in this way, and not let you come to harm if you really truly lived this out. Then again: what if God doesn't reward your right attitude. He never says he will here. Really, you get the idea from these verses that Jesus doesn't view this behavior as exemplary or notable, but simply as the way you ought to behave. I don't get the impression that (now, I could be wrong, but--) this behavior is anything more than what Jesus expects of all of us, all the time.
Moving on . . .
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.This is, for me personally, the most convicting verse in the Bible. Who honestly lives like this? Don't we all love those who love us, and do good to those who do good to us? This is especially troubling for those of us who are married, as I am, because according to what Jesus is laying out here, me loving my wife and being good to her is nothing special at all. Why? Because she loves me back, and is good to me too. It's easy to love her-- I GET LOVE BACK WHEN I DO. It's easy to do nice things for her-- SHE'S NICE TO ME WHEN I DO. Really, when I examine my own life with family and friends, what am I living for? Quid pro quo? Is quid pro quo honorable? Really, it's not. Quid pro quo is just selfishness justified with logic and in Latin.
Going further: consider your demeanor, if you're a Christian, around your church friends, in light of this verse. I'm sure you're smiley and huggy, warm and interested, and have plenty of time for them. So am I. I love my church friends-- they're pleasant people, and make it really easy to be pleasant back. But by Jesus' standards, am I anything more than a sinner by being pleasant around these people? Not if I'm not just as pleasant, interested, and devoted to everyone else in my life (confession: I'm not), no matter who they are, or how they treat me.
And I'm not even going to get into what he says next about lending to people (hint: the US would be bankrupt in seconds if it carried out this principle). Suffice to say that we all need enormous amounts of grace and humility if we're going to live out the Gospel. And since enormous amounts of grace and humility are hard to come by . . . darn it, why did Jesus have to say this stuff?
What about you? Are there any verses that you (be honest) would be happier without?
I totally agree; Jesus calls us to a more selfless life than any of us can imagine possible. Have you ever noticed what Jesus had the Good Samaritan do in his parable? He basically gives the hotel manager he leaves the guy with a blank check and says, "I'll pay whatever expenses he incurs". Insane.
ReplyDeleteOne I have trouble understanding is the "turn the other cheek" verse. From it I surmise that Jesus is teaching us that we should never physically resist evil directed at us. But does that mean I should never defend my wife and children if they were attacked? That feels wrong. So I'm left in the confusing position that I would be willing to defend my wife and children if they were threatened, but if someone was threatening to harm only me I can find no justification in the Bible for defending myself. Is that right? I'm not sure yet...
I suppose if we were to look at this matter from the standpoint of selflessness = holiness, then you would have your answer, at least in a vacuum.
ReplyDeleteBy defending your wife and children, you would be protecting their lives and God-given dignity, which is a selfless act. However, this does not occur in a vacuum, and there may be elements of fear in losing them that motivate you, which are not selfless.
On the other hand, if you were to be attacked and defend yourself, you would be looking out only for your own interests (i.e. a longer life), and so Jesus would seem to prefer you DIDN'T defend yourself. Although this must be taken in a vacuum as well, as your wife and children might be left in a most unfortunate position lacking financial provision and love, should your life be taken. And then again, you may be turning the cheek (assuming your life is threatened) simply so you can see Jesus sooner (although I doubt anyone who wants to see Jesus that much wants anything other than his timing for their death).
Selflessness = Holiness, most assuredly. But what act is truly selfless? None, I think. I suppose only God can be the judge of motives, and when you judge on motives instead of actions, we certainly do fail an awful lot at being holy.
if this was fb i would like this.
ReplyDeleteEph 4:13 is one of the verses (my main one) that gives me hope. I have no idea what this actually looks like...but I'll take God at his word.
As far as contradictions in the Bible. I've come to a place where I study, pray, ask as much as a I can and just trust God that I won't be led astray. You're so right, the whole argument thing gets us nowhere. To be honest I'm not sure I've ever seen a good example of disagreement on scripture with two or more parties in which the fruit of the spirit was not tossed to the side.
God help us. whatever that means.
"the fruit of the spirit was not tossed to the side"
ReplyDeleteI like that, Tolu. I like that a lot, actually-- I may use it in the future. Thanks.