(November 3, 2018 at 7:28 am)Belaqua Wrote:(November 3, 2018 at 6:45 am)wyzas Wrote: Do these "smart christians" denounce parts/sections of the bible?
This sounds like cherry picking. Isn't that what only reading Paradiso would be?
Most of the christians I know are of this sort. They hold up the bible as the word of god, but when the lowest common denominator god show up it's ..............
Do you think there are no such thing as "smart Christians"? I don't know your background, but this may be a lack of research on your part.
Sola scriptura literalism is pretty new. Most theologians of the past would have considered it simple-minded, driven by pride ("I can understand it just fine, thanks"), and even idolatrous, since it worships the book rather than God. Biblical hermeneutics is a fascinating field, and has prompted the literature of Christian Europe, even not explicitly religious literature like Proust, to be susceptible in honest ways to different kinds of interpretation.
Some people will be guilty of cherry-picking, but that's an overly simple way of describing what goes on among -- I'll say it again -- smart Christians.
As an example, Augustine saw the main message as that of the Gospels, and insisted that the rest be read in this spirit. He wrote:
“So anyone who thinks he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbour, has not yet succeeded in understanding them.”
A good interpretation will lead our love for our neighbor to increase, according to him. And I know there are parts of the OT which don't lend themselves to that, but he thought these parts were outdone by Jesus.
He also didn't insist on bibliolatry:
“Therefore a person strengthened by faith, hope, and love, and who steadfastly holds on to them, has no need of the scriptures except to instruct others. That is why many people, relying on these three things, actually live in solitude without any texts of the scriptures.”
The message and the way of life is what's important, not the text. Dante echoes this at the top of Purgatory, when Virgil tells him that, now he's pure, he should only do what he wants, because it will be right. (Sin is a misdirection of desire.) At that point, the Bible is unnecessary. William Blake, in one of his very last drawings, shows the Bible chained up in Heaven, where it is no longer useful.
I would never suggest reading only the Paradiso. It's part of a balanced diet. However if I were on a desert island, it'd be in my top ten.
As for "most of the Christians" you know -- I am fortunate in that I don't have to deal with them. Quality and truth are not decided by majority vote, and I feel no compunction to set them straight. Guarda e passa -- look and pass on.
Until you do, and on a daily basis, I don't think you should be pointing fingers. I have to interact with them frequently and my distaste for christians/christianity is well earned. While they claim belief in the "god of love" their words and actions often betray them. Words and actions often directed at my lack of belief.
If you want to live in a philosophical safe zone that's fine. I'm not afforded that luxury.
Being told you're delusional does not necessarily mean you're mental.
