March 10, 2002
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Literal Truth
Often times we ask the wrong questions. As a result, the answers we receive frustrate or confuse us. I've noticed that there is a question that often comes whenever there is a post that mentions spirituality or Christianity. "Is the Bible the Word of God?" I think this is the wrong question. The attempt to answer that question forces people to take extreme positions. Soon anyone with an opinion one way or the other on this question is challenged to defend the indefensible. By which I mean that the "for" person is pushed to try to prove that every word of the Bible is literally true, or the "against" person is challenged to prove that each word is literally false.
I think the better question is 'How is the Bible the Word of God?'* The Bible isn't one book. It is a collection of books and letters written over a span of approximately 1200 years. Some of the documents have a certain provenance, such as the letters of Paul which can be placed within a very narrow timeframe, in specific places, and known historical circumstances. Some of the books are of far less certain origin, such as the book of Job which isn't a history but a dramatic narrative used to teach truths of God's character..
Some books of the Bible are collections of poems and songs. Some are history, some are law, and some are mixtures of different types of writings. Through the centuries that encompass the construction of Biblical documents, a particular people in a particular culture recorded their particular experiences with God. Some of the Biblical documents contain rich vocabulary and a polished style. Other documents are simple contructs with limited vocabulary. Each bears the distinctive marks of the human personalities who put their pen to paper (or dictated their words to a scribe.)
It is difficult for anyone holding a modern English translation of the Bible to grasp the distinctive characteristics of these individual documents. The translators' work has homogenized the text to such a degree that it is difficult if not impossible to discern that the Gospel of Matthew, for example, is atrocious in terms of its use of grammar and syntax, whereas the Gospel of Luke is the work of an educated Greek.
With this in mind, it becomes a far more interesting question to ask 'HOW is the Bible the Word of God'? I think that this question not only forces each person to engage the text personally, but makes it difficult to base an understanding of God on a few proof texts. I'm saddened by people who come to the Bible looking for verses to support their preconceived ideas for or against God, Christianity, Judaism, or religion in general. Any person opening the Bible in search of these proofs will find them. But, in finding their proofs, they have lost their opportunity to find the truth.
*This question isn't original with me. My friend Darrel pointed me to G E Ladd who asked this question in his book, The New Testament and Criticism.
Comments (15)
I just try to look at what is said from as many angles as possible to find the grains of truth within.
So hmm you kinda lost me here? Because you used tons of scripture to support your submission post but now you say?
I'm saddened by people who come to the Bible looking for verses to support their preconceived ideas for or against God, Christianity, Judaism, or religion in general.
And do you hate me for doing this? Because you know I REALLY missed you and I'm super duper glad my super smart homeschooling cool chickie friend is BACK!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Didja get my email I've been having problems with my puter too, I hit send it went down. I didn't know if it got to ya or not?
In agreement here! The Bible was not written by God - it was written by men about God. Is God's truth in there? Sure it is. So is a lot of stuff that was interpreted by the writer. JMO.
So... the Bible is therefore... the word of God as translated by man? So yeah... how is it the word of God when the words have all been changed by man? I dunno. It's a good read though. I give it four stars.
Perhaps another way to look at it is that the Bible is not the only place to find the words of God. God has spoken to many people and many different religions and beliefs. God speaks to us inside if we would listen. Most holy books are actually stories, ways for people to explain what is going on in the world. zera
Hmmm..after reading the comments I'll pass on this discussion before I take an extreme position.
God Bless - Dale
"But, in finding their proofs, they have lost their opportunity to find the truth."
This is true in many other instances other than this discussion...if you set out to "prove" something, chances are you can find a way...one side of the coin or the other.
Very interesting. I always enjoy your blogs. They really get me to thinking.
I have studied on this very question for years and this is the only conclusion I have been able to draw: the only part of the bible that you can ABSOLUTELY take literally is the index ..... the pages that say: Genesis - page 5, Exodus - page 243, etc.
You are always so good at getting to the real problem and/or question. Good job again.
"Is this Blog the words of Terri?" I think this is the wrong question. ... I think the better question is 'How is this Blog the words of Terri?'
How is it that I married someone who writes this stuff instead of pursuing the noble calling of dirty limmericks?
A wrong question???
*Dread raises eyebrow*
Your blogs are so thought-provoking...although you are seeking the truth from a totally different angle than I am, still we seem to be ending up very near the same place.
It's weird...my given name is Terri (spelled the same way) and I'm also a homeschooling mom. And hey! We both love Pensacola!
It is always very refreshing to read opinions from people who have open minds - whatever their particular religion tends to be. (Only by analysing the past - without fear - will be ever be able to perceive the real truth.)
I take my hat off to you.
I don't share your religious views...but I share your search for the truth.
my entire problem with "literal truth" is that it forces God into a box - the box of LANGUAGE - which was an invention of man. Truth is, in reality, what you get out of God's Word spiritually. Besides the Word become Flesh, I mean...
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