RE: Literal and Not Literal
August 30, 2019 at 8:16 pm
(This post was last modified: August 30, 2019 at 8:16 pm by EgoDeath.)
(August 30, 2019 at 7:37 pm)Belaqua Wrote: That's certainly true.
Proust's novel is an extremely good book, but not holy.
The Bible is holy to many many people because they -- and their tradition -- have made it holy.
But certainly, people cannot make a book divine, right?
(August 30, 2019 at 7:37 pm)Belaqua Wrote: Well, sure. But that's a separate question.
The Bible provoked a long commentary for lots of people. Is it worth your while to learn this commentary? That's up to you. If you're not interested, my personal advice would be to ignore it as much as possible.
Well, saying it provoked "serious commentary" sort of implies that this is serious business, something worth listening to. I'm not sure if that's the case.
(August 30, 2019 at 7:37 pm)Belaqua Wrote: It depends on what you want to do.
If you want to discuss that tradition in an intelligent way, then it makes sense to understand the tradition. If you don't want to think about it, or debate it, or fight about it, then sure -- read something else.
What makes tradition anything worth listening to? Ever read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson?
(August 30, 2019 at 7:37 pm)Belaqua Wrote: There is a written record that educated Christians in the past were comfortable with a variety of types of expression. As were those non-Christians who interpreted Greek myths, etc.
I don't say that "we, in today's age, just don't get it." That would be too broad. I think that many people don't get it, and it makes sense to point out to people who read too simply that the tradition includes non-literal interpretation.
And what I'm saying is that even dynamic interpretations of the Bible surely contain plenty of literalism. What parts do you think are taken literally?
(August 30, 2019 at 7:37 pm)Belaqua Wrote: Yes, thank you, I think this is right. I've said this before.
Some parts were read literally, and other parts not. The Bible is an anthology by many authors with different goals and different methods. Working out which is which requires using one's brain, and some knowledge of hermeneutics. That is all.
But, in suggesting this, you insinuate that there is one ultimate interpretation to be discovered, so long as you just "use [your] brain."
If you're frightened of dying, and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the Earth.
