February 13th, 2012
Religion and The Bible…Strange Bed Fellows
I have to admit, I don’t get it. I don’t get why a person has to have the Bible mean what they want it, need it, or desire it to mean. Why can’t it mean just what it says? If God is all that the name God implies (and I believe He is), isn’t He big enough to have said it plainly in the Bible? If your Bible is confusing, there is a very simple remedy…get a different modern English translation. People who say, “I think it means…” or “To me it means…” commit the very first rule of interpreting any manuscript - what you think it means is irrelevant. History, context of the writer, the intended ORIGINAL audience all matter, not my personal feelings.
People that want to criticize me about what I do or do not preach, teach, or say from and/or about the Bible…I invite you to give it a try. I own no pulpit, lectern, church, or anything else. I inhabit no “seat of power” nor do I wish to. Instead of picking me apart and taking ONE sentence completely out of context from a 40 - 50 minute sermon - give it a try. Criticism is not a result of insight. Criticism is the result of a critical spirit, period.
If you are interested in what comes from my brain (good luck), you can find it here. I think I have "enabled" the ability for people to respond or give an opinion. Please be nice and respectful to everyone that posts. I hope everyone contributes, and please be patient as I learn how this works.
