The Bible and Historical Context (Torah, Tanakh, dogmas, scriptures)

[MaddLlama]

BT's recent comments have stirred up a slew of topics and discussions that I think sort of dance around a larger issue.

Are all parts of the Bible, including commandments and laws of the OT applicable to modern life? Or, were certain things meant only for certain people? Either way, how do we determine which answer is correct, and or how do we decide what is applicable to modern life and what isn't?

[MaddLlama]

Nobody?

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

Are all parts of the Bible, including commandments and laws of the OT applicable to modern life? Or, were certain things meant only for certain people? Either way, how ...

First: for what it's worth, I consider the terms Torah and Tanakh qualitatively more respectful.

The Tanakh is a human document.

[PureX]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

BT's recent comments have stirred up a slew of topics and discussions that I think sort of dance around a larger issue.

Are all parts of the Bible, including commandments and laws of the OT applicable to modern life? Or, were certain things meant only for certain people? Either way, how do we determine which answer is correct, and or how do we decide what is applicable to modern life and what isn't?

Frankly, I would just use common sense.

The bible was written by men, who lived in a specific time and culture, and who's understanding of life, wise though it may have been, is different from mine. I live in a very different time and culture. And common sense tells me that some of the ideas that made sense to them in their world are not going to make sense in mine.

So what I look for in their writings is the spirit behind the ideas. And then I ask myself if this is the spirit I want to achieve in my own soul. And if it is, then I have to ask myself if their methods of achieving it will work in my world, and if they won't work, then how must I change my methods to achieve that spirit in my world.

Also, in the case of the bible, the OT authors were writing without the benefit of Christ. And I believe that Christ changed everything. So I must take this into consideration as well.

I've met a lot of Christians who have disparaged my "picking and choosing" attitude toward scriptures, but to this day I have not met one single Christian who doesn't do the same, whether they'll admit to it or not.

[MaddLlama]

Originally Posted by PureX

Frankly, I would just use common sense.

The bible was written by men, who lived in a specific time and culture, and who's understanding of life, wise though it may have been, is different from mine. I live in a very different time and culture. And common sense tells me that some of the ideas that made sense to them in their world are not going to make sense in mine.

So what I look for in their writings is the spirit behind the ideas. And then I ask myself if this is the spirit I want to achieve in my own soul. And if it is, then I have to ask myself if their methods of achieving it will work in my world, and if they won't work, then how must I change my methods to achieve that spirit in my world.

Also, in the case of the bible, the OT authors were writing without the benefit of Christ. And I believe that Christ changed everything. So I must take this into consideration as well.

I've met a lot of Christians who have disparaged my "picking and choosing" attitude toward scriptures, but to this day I have not met one single Christian who doesn't do the same, whether they'll admit to it or not.

That's really it - how can one have a literalist interpretation of any part of the Bible, and still read it and apply it with an understanding of where it came from, who wrote it, and why?

[PureX]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

That's really it - how can one have a literalist interpretation of any part of the Bible, and still read it and apply it with an understanding of where it came from, who wrote it, and why?

Well, they just pretend that God wrote it, and that settles that. But to me, that's silly, and lacks common sense. And I don't believe that God wants me to behave irrationally, or be willfully ignorant, in the name of "faith". I think I was given the gift of having some common sense so that I could use it to achieve some degree of honesty, charity, love and forgiveness for myself and my fellow humans. And I don't think any of these are achieved by blindly following religious dogmas, or religious fantasies about divine miracles and magic tricks.

But that's me.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by PureX

Also, in the case of the bible, the OT authors were writing without the benefit of Christ.

or Mickey Mouse, or Batman, or ...

[dogsgod]

Although an interesting book, (The Bible), I don 't think that the beliefs and superstitions of middle eastern iron age tribesmen are applicable to modern man/woman.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by dogsgod

Although an interesting book, (The Bible), I don 't think that the beliefs and superstitions of middle eastern iron age tribesmen are applicable to modern man/woman.

Yes... it does appear to be a bit insane...