Gavin has a great post up on Bibliolatry. There are some priceless lines in his blog entry. Three of my favorites are:
"Yes, it's [The Bible] dangerous in the hands of idiots and televangelists."
"Sometimes the text rings true from the outset; think of many of the parables. At other times any sane reader couldn't help but recoil in horror as they enter into the text - texts, for example, that glorify Bronze Age tribalism and xenophobia, wrapped in the obscene language of divine authorisation. If you're going to read the Bible profitably, you've got to know the difference. Our response cannot and must not default to a prayerful, passive acceptance, but sometimes a screamed 'No!'"
"Anyone with a Life Application Study Bible is swimming in swill..."
Read his entry on Bibliolatry Backfire.
2 comments:
With oral traditions and stories, groups can flow more easily in reality and life goes on. Once you write it all down, the war begins over what the words mean and who has the correct view of the words.
Once you convince everyone the words are harmonious and inerrant (which they are not) all hell can break loose on those that don't see it that way.
The result of writing it all down is plainly visible in the confused world of denominations, sects, cults and fartmongers.
Dennis, your comments are what happened in my situation. Once I started checking on the meanings of the words written and finding differences from what we were taught, I began asking questions. It was if I was questioning the understanding of the authority of those in charge of the organization, which I was. The usual answer to my questions and comments were "What does that have to do with salvation?" I am not saying I have all the correct answers, but I have come to realize - MOST FOLKS REALLY DON"T WANT TO KNOW OR INVESTIGATE!
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