I am writing this commentary to open a dialog between those interested in learning more about the Sacred Writings and Bible history of God’s dealings with mankind. If we are ever going to have a constructive dialog that will hopefully lead us to increased knowledge and enlightenment and a better understanding of the ways of our Creator, any disagreements concerning this post should be discussed without acrimony…please.
Symbolism has long been a highly debated concept between different groups within the Christian community because the idea that God would use symbolism to convey important messages that He supposedly wants His children to understand, seems both counterproductive and contradictory to a clear understanding of Biblical facts. If God wants us to learn from the Scriptures, and I believe He does, the question most asked is why then would He not be straightforward and direct? Symbols are confusing and subject to interpretation and generally lead us to more questions than answers. They are also incongruous to what many conceive are the ways of God. On the other hand, many believe (I am among them) the use of abstracts and metaphors actually force us to take a closer look at what is being said, and may therefore result in a fuller and deeper understanding.
It is obvious the Bible does contain many symbols and metaphoric passages and Revelations in particular is a book that is full of symbolism. Then there are the parables of Christ. Yes, they were meant to illustrate a moral or religious lesson, but are they not within themselves a type of metaphor? You must remember the people who the Bible was intended to teach were, for the most part, illiterate. To put into words something that was felt to be above their understanding called for some creative license. For example: describe a group of helicopters as a swarm of giant locust and you are able to bring a prophecy of the 21st century into focus for an Old Testament reader, and writer for that matter.
When we view a single book in the Bible, we may find it full of contradictions and to many people, actions that appear to be impossible. There seems to be no way to answer many of the hard questions and this only provides more ammunition for atheists and non-believers to dispute the Bible, which in turn causes doubt that there is a God of creation at all.
A favorite Christian answer to this attack is usually something like this: “These are questions where our faith becomes most important. Knowing the answer to these questions doesn’t have anything to do with our salvation or our trust in the Almighty and therefore is not a challenge to our faith. We will know the answers when God wants us to know the answers. It is by faith that we believe, and by Grace that we are saved.”
Is this enough? Are we not to know the answers to the questions that cause such controversy? Must our faith be blind?
I really don’t have any answers to these questions but I would like to feel less trapped when asked questions like: “Where did the people dwelling in the land of Nod come from?” Or, “Do you really think Noah managed to fit two of every animal that walked the earth into his Arc?” Is the answer that these writings are mere symbolism or poetic license for an illiterate people? How can we depend on such a confusing collection of text? Or are the writings simply a stretch of the truth?
My biggest question is why were so many Sacred Writings left out of various versions of the Bible, such as the Apocrypha, Septuagint and Vulgate? When you study these Sacred Writings some of the afore mentioned questions have a clearer and more complete answer. Are we not to consider all good books in our study of the Scriptures even if some Church and/or Hebrew scholars consider them unworthy or false? It does not mean we should base our understanding on these works alone but if they add to our understanding of the overall meaning of other Bible passages, would they not be useful? After all, many of the books are by authors who were well-respected authors of other writings that were included in the Bible and other Hebrew cannons. Though the inherent value of the text may not be called into question. Doesn’t the weight of a revered or even apostolic author lend authority to the text?
Like I’ve said I don’t claim to have any answers to these questions and I would appreciate your feedback.
There is a definite difference in teaching the ways of the Lord and teaching the doctrines of the church. If we endeavor to teach the moral codes and perfect justice of God, we are helping protect our children from the evil influences of a chaotic and corruptible World. When we infest these teachings with religious doctrines, are we creating a bias that might rob them of their future free will?
Religious beliefs have usually been a huge contributing factor behind most wars, and the only way to change this destructive and ridiculous course, is for mankind to realize the truth of God’s teachings of free will. If God says we are free to choose the way we will conduct our lives, then is it not going against God’s edict of free will for a person or group to force their personal beliefs on others? Which are the greatest sinners, those who break God’s laws or those who change them?