Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Shake · 05-17-2005, 07:44 AM

This is my first foray into this forum, and I hope it's a good place for this.

I came across this essay in my local paper today, and even as an atheist, found it of some interest. I thought that perhaps there might be some here who would appreciate this article.

A snippet:

Quote:

Biblical writings themselves critique and reshape other biblical writings, thus a historical critical method of interpretation is quite biblical. It indicates an ongoing process whereby the Spirit of God may lead to new understandings in new contexts. Thus to absolutize biblical words is quite unbiblical. It limits the work of God's Spirit to a linguistic past, rather than being open to where fresh understandings of ancient texts may lead.

And something else, which I found funny:

Quote:

"The Word became flesh, not text."

I'm interested in the thoughts of the regulars of this particular forum. Thanks.

motorhead · 05-17-2005, 03:24 PM

I would agree that some Biblical writings critique and reshape other biblical writings but why bring in the idea that the "Spirit of God" somehow made this happen to help people understand the writings in new contexts? I think the reason the writings were critique and reshaped is because people who did the critiquing and reshaping disagreed with the previous writings, or discovered they were outright wrong and had to correct them. I propose if this is the case, we should feel free to completely rewrite the Bible.

rexrex4 · 05-17-2005, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shake
I came across this essay in my local paper today, and even as an atheist, found it of some interest. I thought that perhaps there might be some here who would appreciate this article.

I would be interested in exactly how the article interested you; from what angle? For example I have had an interest in such articles in the past because I thought they could help make vulnerable the hard core Christian dogma that I didn't like.

offa · 05-18-2005, 04:47 PM

GOD loves the whole world.

What is the definition of love? If you read Jubilees you will understand that "love" means "rule". Also you will discover that "the whole world" is about twenty-five square miles.

You will also discover that GOD is as human as the POPE. So, what's the big deal?

I could name the big tree in my back yard the "Eiffel Tower" and some nut would climb it with a parachute.

Offa

John A. Broussard · 05-18-2005, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offa

GOD loves the whole world.

What is the definition of love? If you read Jubilees you will understand that "love" means "rule". Also you will discover that "the whole world" is about twenty-five square miles.

You will also discover that GOD is as human as the POPE. So, what's the big deal?

I could name the big tree in my back yard the "Eiffel Tower" and some nut would climb it with a parachute.

Offa

Agreed. If god loves the whole world, it doesn't seem to include Medianites, Amorites, Philistines and all those other people god ordered slaughtered back in the days of the OT.

And that Indian Ocean Tsunami. Phew! What would god do if he hated the whole world.

Eldarion Lathria · 05-18-2005, 08:27 PM

What is absolute biblical truth? That the Old Testament is political and religious propaganda from a pisswilly little Fertile Crescent shaykhdom that a man could ride across in a day or two, and that it's god is a pissant desert tribal chief much like the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, but without Faisal's sense of humor and foresightedness.

The New testament is contradictory views of a local demagogue, probably mythical, some ravings of a maniac, and some letters and sermons by a crazed quibbler whose brain was addled by a lightning strike.

That's absolute biblical truth.

Eldarion Lathria

darstec · 05-18-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Broussard

Agreed. If god loves the whole world, it doesn't seem to include Medianites, Amorites, Philistines and all those other people god ordered slaughtered back in the days of the OT.

And that Indian Ocean Tsunami. Phew! What would god do if he hated the whole world.

Who knows? Maybe flood the whole world with rain for 40 days and 40 nights killing innocent babies, plants and animals?

rationalOne · 05-19-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eldarion Lathria

What is absolute biblical truth? That the Old Testament is political and religious propaganda from a pisswilly little Fertile Crescent shaykhdom that a man could ride across in a day or two, and that it's god is a pissant desert tribal chief much like the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, but without Faisal's sense of humor and foresightedness.

I think you've pretty much nailed it.

Steven Carr · 05-19-2005, 10:17 AM

God can hardluy love the WHOLE world as we are told that there are bits of the world that should not be loved.

1 John 2:15 says Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Apparently, we should love the bits of the world that are lovable, and not love the bits which are not lovable. Another inspired teaching from the Bible.....

offa · 05-19-2005, 05:23 PM

Steven Carr God can hardluy love the WHOLE world as we are told that there are bits of the world that should not be loved.

1 John 2:15 says Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Apparently, we should love the bits of the world that are lovable, and not love the bits which are not lovable. Another inspired teaching from the Bible.....

Maybe Jesus, the real person, is separating himself from those who administer to the parsely 25 square miles, in otherwords, GODS Church (the world). Jesus' leader is the Father (not his daddy) who is separated from the mortal GOD. GOD is probably the high priest and the Father is probably a chief priest represented as GOD's son.

I do not recall any Scripture where Jesus uses GOD as exemplary, whereas, he always uses Father as divine. Our Father who art in heaven ...

So, maybe we ought to think twice about "One nation under GOD?"

offa

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05-17-2005, 03:24 PM	#2
motorhead Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Land of Make Believe Posts: 781	I would agree that some Biblical writings critique and reshape other biblical writings but why bring in the idea that the "Spirit of God" somehow made this happen to help people understand the writings in new contexts? I think the reason the writings were critique and reshaped is because people who did the critiquing and reshaping disagreed with the previous writings, or discovered they were outright wrong and had to correct them. I propose if this is the case, we should feel free to completely rewrite the Bible.

05-18-2005, 04:47 PM	#4
offa Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroeville, Ohio, USA Posts: 440	GOD loves the whole world. What is the definition of love? If you read Jubilees you will understand that "love" means "rule". Also you will discover that "the whole world" is about twenty-five square miles. You will also discover that GOD is as human as the POPE. So, what's the big deal? I could name the big tree in my back yard the "Eiffel Tower" and some nut would climb it with a parachute. Offa

05-18-2005, 08:27 PM	#6
Eldarion Lathria Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Atlantis Posts: 2,449	What is absolute biblical truth? That the Old Testament is political and religious propaganda from a pisswilly little Fertile Crescent shaykhdom that a man could ride across in a day or two, and that it's god is a pissant desert tribal chief much like the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, but without Faisal's sense of humor and foresightedness. The New testament is contradictory views of a local demagogue, probably mythical, some ravings of a maniac, and some letters and sermons by a crazed quibbler whose brain was addled by a lightning strike. That's absolute biblical truth. Eldarion Lathria

05-19-2005, 10:17 AM	#9
Steven Carr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: England Posts: 5,629	God can hardluy love the WHOLE world as we are told that there are bits of the world that should not be loved. 1 John 2:15 says Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Apparently, we should love the bits of the world that are lovable, and not love the bits which are not lovable. Another inspired teaching from the Bible.....

05-19-2005, 05:23 PM	#10
offa Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroeville, Ohio, USA Posts: 440	Steven Carr God can hardluy love the WHOLE world as we are told that there are bits of the world that should not be loved. 1 John 2:15 says Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Apparently, we should love the bits of the world that are lovable, and not love the bits which are not lovable. Another inspired teaching from the Bible..... Maybe Jesus, the real person, is separating himself from those who administer to the parsely 25 square miles, in otherwords, GODS Church (the world). Jesus' leader is the Father (not his daddy) who is separated from the mortal GOD. GOD is probably the high priest and the Father is probably a chief priest represented as GOD's son. I do not recall any Scripture where Jesus uses GOD as exemplary, whereas, he always uses Father as divine. Our Father who art in heaven ... So, maybe we ought to think twice about "One nation under GOD?" offa

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