This is a partial list of quotes and information I have gathered about the Bible. Some of the quotes have the sources listed and some don't. I was remiss when I first started to gather information on the Bible to list all my sources.
The Bible is a book of theology in Jewish worldview first and foremost.
We don't actually have the original writings of the (old or) new testaments. We have copies of these writings, made years later... none of these copies is completely accurate... scribes... inadvertently and/or intentionally changed them in place.
This (is) a human book from beginning to end. It was written by different human authors at different times and in different places to address different needs. ...they had their own perspectives, their own beliefs, their own views, their own needs, their own desires, their own understandings, their own theologies; and these... informed everything they said. Misquoting Jesus
The bible was written by at least 150 different people in dozens of different places at different times, many centuries apart, for many different reasons.
The Bible is the interpretation of historical events by ancient nomads.
All context is left in the background or left outside the narrative. This compels the reader to add their own interpretation to the text.
As language develops, the meanings of words change or the meaning is lost all together.
To dissect the bible in search of accurate, verifiable history is to demand of it something that it is not. The bible is narrative expression of shared community life. It emerged in the late 7th century BCE as the response of a small kingdom to the unique pressures it faced, and was later refined as the response of the even smaller Temple community in Jerusalem to the challenges of the post-Exilic period. It demands to be read, not as history in the modern sense, but as the literary and spiritual creation of its own age.
Since the bible developed over a period of many centuries, it makes assumptions that were shared by people at the time a particular passage was written, but not necessarily at an earlier time or later time - Great People of the Bible and How They Lived
The bible is an accumulation of material, much of it repetitive, that was molded over many centuries - from both oral and written traditions - by many generations of storytellers who revised the stories endlessly in the telling, and by religious leaders who periodically brought the accounts up to date according to the biases of their times. - The Israelites
Over time gods took on human qualities such as love and hate, jealous and generosity, anger and pleasure, grief and joy, gratitude and vengeance, and annoyance. - The Israelites
The bible is the record of a people's spiritual progress rather than an infallible document of divine origin - A History of the Jews
It is the greatest human document, with all the loves and hates, the feelings sublime and sordid, that animate human beings. - A History of the Jews
The bible can serve as a very useful historical document if it is kept in mind that its editors have recast tribal traditions and reinterpreted them from a national standpoint, that the story is the idealized product of prophetic and priestly imagination, written down many centuries after the events supposedly occurred. - A History of the Jews
All religious systems, beliefs, creeds, doctrines, gods, and sacred texts, whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu etc., are human creations by which people in different times and different places seek to journey into that which is ultimately holy and wholly other. Until that simple lesson is heard, human beings will continue to destroy each other in the name of the 'one true god.' - John Shelby Spong
Religion for most people is not a search for truth but a search for security. People want security more than truth - John Shelby Spong
The truths in the bible are not historical truths but social, political, ethical, and existential truth
The writers were concerned with showing what they believed to be the finger of god in the events and experiences of the Israelite people.
The past is refracted through a theological lens.
The bible is an attempt to describe the indescribable.
1200 BCE - Hebrew culture unique enough to appear in the archaeological record. - The Jews can rank neither as a nation nor even an ethnic unit, but rather as a socio-religious group carrying large Mediterranean, Armenoid, and other elements, and varying greatly in physical characteristics." - Hurley and Haddon
The ceaseless - often violent - interaction between those who have crossed or are forced to dwell in the yellow lands and those who possess the green land is the recurring theme of the history of the Holy Land. - Silent Cities, Sacred Stone
Repetition is a feature of bible literature - words that repeat 7 to 10 times in a story become a theme - ex. Gen. 1 repeats "It was good" 7 times.
A biblical archaeologist's job is not to prove that the bible is true, but to identify those specific elements in it whose historical relevance can be established: not whether Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did exist, but whether they could have existed within the cultural, geographical, and historical framework of Genesis. - Silent Cities, Sacred Stone
The Bible is a library of books from diverse times and places rather than a single, unified book; biblical narratives contain complex themes and realistic characters and are not "pious parables" about saintly persons; the Bible is a sophisticated narrative not for children; the Bible is an account of the odyssey of a people rather than a book of theology; and finally, the Bible was written by many human contributors with diverse perspectives and viewpoints.
The Torah is 5 centuries of religious and literary activity .
The biblical authors were what we would call collectors, compilers, revisers, editors, and interpreters of ancient tradition. Ancient texts were generally the product of many hands over the stretch of many long centuries, and during that time modifications and reconceptualization occurred
.
The stories were written inside a world view that was open ended, filled with magic and miracles – Spong
The Bible is not a book but a library - is an anthology, written and edited over an extended period of time for different situations - political, historical, philosophical, religious, moral -with many different genres - narratives, law, cultic and ritual, messages of prophets, poetry, proverbs, psalms of thanksgiving and lament
Bible gaps - bible is meant to teach lessons not as a history - only those events that teach are included in the bible
A stories' truth is of less value than its cautionary tale
.
The myths in the bible were not intended to be taken literally, but were metaphorical attempts by ancient people to describe a reality that was too complex and elusive to express in any other way.
Religion starts with a perception that something is wrong
Religion is politics made sacred.
The first 5 - 7 books (or more) of the bible are compilations - these sources therefore do not tell us about the times or situations they purport to describe, so much as they tell us about the beliefs and practices of Israelites in the period in which they were composed - Yale Open Course
Monday, September 08, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Biblical Literalism and Biblical Interpretations
I have been reading and following the debate the last several weeks in my local newspaper about biblical literalism and if the Bible is the absolute word of God. I was going to quote some Bible verses to refute some of what other writers have written but after some thought I decided to try this. I agree with my friend Mr. Panko's statement that "the Bible is the word of God as conceived by the scripture writers of the first century, who, being like us, had their own egos, prejudices, personalities, and values projected upon their concept of God, something man has done from the beginning of time and is still doing." Here is why I believe this statement:
The parts of the Old Testament were originally written in Hebrew several thousand years ago in a social and political context far different from the one we have now. It was written when the Hebrews were wandering around in the desert for 40 years. Then the Hebrews arrived in the land of Israel, and a new social and political context was created. Instead of wandering, the Hebrews were now fighting to conquer the land and settle it. Then after many years, the Hebrews were conquered and sent off to Babylon as slaves. A new social and political realty again. The editors and authors then perhaps were using Hebrew, perhaps Babylonian to do their writings. If the editors and authors were using a language different from Hebrew, than they were re-interpreting the word of God. After that, the Hebrews went back to Israel, many years passed and Jesus was born. Now Jesus most likely spoke Aramaic, yet another different language for the word of God. Israel at this time was also under the influence of Rome, a new social and political context. The editors and authors when interpreting the word of God used Aramaic or Latin and put the word of God into their current social and political context. Jesus' dies and the apostles go out and proselytize. Some go to Anatolia and Greece. Some go to Egypt. Peter and Paul go to Rome. Each of these areas is a new social and political context. The authors of the New Testament and the editors of the Old Testament now have to re-interpret the word of God into Greek, Latin, or Coptic. Times passes and there is a Pope in Rome who interprets the Bible for his social and political context. In Germany, Martin Luther does not share this interpretation and the Reformation begins. Soon after the printing press is invented and Bibles begin to be mass-produced. Bibles are interpreted into many different languages in many different social and political contexts. Even amongst these different languages, there are different interpretations of the Bible. I have had a Good News Bible: Today's English Version since I was 8. One writer in a letter to the editor cites examples of God's word from the New International Version. Yet another from the King James Version. I looked up Bibles and found at least 11 different versions of the Bible in English. Another word for version is interpretation. Now, which of these Bibles is the absolute word of God. God first spoke to man in what I assume is Hebrew. Should we all learn Hebrew so we know absolutely what the word of God is? But some of the Old and New Testament was received from God in Aramaic. Should we also learn Aramaic so we know absolutely what the word of God is? But then, some of the New Testament was written in Greek and Latin. I'm beginning to think that it is impossible to know the absolute word of God when there are so many different interpretations of His word out there. It is impossible to know the absolute word of God if you don't speak or read the language the message was originally delivered in, because any other language is just an interpretation of the original. Interpretations are, by their very nature, open to interpretation.
How I view and understand the Bible and God is different from how another person views and understands the Bible and God. How I view and understand God is between God and myself and no one is going to change that.
The Bible is a living and breathing book that needs to change with and be interpreted by the social and political context of the day. The Bible has gone through many interpretations and revisions from the time it was first written. As times change, social contexts change, and political contexts change, the interpretation of the Bible has also changed. And, it will continue to change. If the Bible remains static and the interpretation remains the same, it runs the risk of becoming irrelevant. History is littered with many gods and religions that became irrelevant because they couldn't or wouldn't change to fit new social and political realties.
Unfortunately, the Bible is being co-opted by the president and others, and is being used as an excused to try to write discrimination into the constitution. More people of good conscience, like Mr. Panko, need to stand up and say this is wrong. In our society we need to protect the rights of minorities from the abuses of those in power. Jesus stood up for and was friends with many minorities. He was a friend to women, children, the weak, the lame, lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors. All of who were outside the established order of the time. He taught that the meek shall inherit the earth. He went against the political and social establishment and powers and helped to form a new religious ideal. I believe that ideal has been lost on many people in this country who take the narrow view that homosexuality and gay marriage is something to be banned. This is not what I interpret Jesus to stand for. Jesus stands for love, hope, equality, and compassion. That is my interpretation of the Bible and Jesus.
When judgment day comes and I am standing before the throne of God and He is reviewing my life and how I lived it, I believe fair treatment and compassion for my fellow man will count for more than a rigid and unbending interpretation of the Bible. I believe what I believe and I will interpret and apply things from the Bible that I believe are best for my family and myself. The things I believe and have learned from the Bible are love, hope, equality, and compassion.
The parts of the Old Testament were originally written in Hebrew several thousand years ago in a social and political context far different from the one we have now. It was written when the Hebrews were wandering around in the desert for 40 years. Then the Hebrews arrived in the land of Israel, and a new social and political context was created. Instead of wandering, the Hebrews were now fighting to conquer the land and settle it. Then after many years, the Hebrews were conquered and sent off to Babylon as slaves. A new social and political realty again. The editors and authors then perhaps were using Hebrew, perhaps Babylonian to do their writings. If the editors and authors were using a language different from Hebrew, than they were re-interpreting the word of God. After that, the Hebrews went back to Israel, many years passed and Jesus was born. Now Jesus most likely spoke Aramaic, yet another different language for the word of God. Israel at this time was also under the influence of Rome, a new social and political context. The editors and authors when interpreting the word of God used Aramaic or Latin and put the word of God into their current social and political context. Jesus' dies and the apostles go out and proselytize. Some go to Anatolia and Greece. Some go to Egypt. Peter and Paul go to Rome. Each of these areas is a new social and political context. The authors of the New Testament and the editors of the Old Testament now have to re-interpret the word of God into Greek, Latin, or Coptic. Times passes and there is a Pope in Rome who interprets the Bible for his social and political context. In Germany, Martin Luther does not share this interpretation and the Reformation begins. Soon after the printing press is invented and Bibles begin to be mass-produced. Bibles are interpreted into many different languages in many different social and political contexts. Even amongst these different languages, there are different interpretations of the Bible. I have had a Good News Bible: Today's English Version since I was 8. One writer in a letter to the editor cites examples of God's word from the New International Version. Yet another from the King James Version. I looked up Bibles and found at least 11 different versions of the Bible in English. Another word for version is interpretation. Now, which of these Bibles is the absolute word of God. God first spoke to man in what I assume is Hebrew. Should we all learn Hebrew so we know absolutely what the word of God is? But some of the Old and New Testament was received from God in Aramaic. Should we also learn Aramaic so we know absolutely what the word of God is? But then, some of the New Testament was written in Greek and Latin. I'm beginning to think that it is impossible to know the absolute word of God when there are so many different interpretations of His word out there. It is impossible to know the absolute word of God if you don't speak or read the language the message was originally delivered in, because any other language is just an interpretation of the original. Interpretations are, by their very nature, open to interpretation.
How I view and understand the Bible and God is different from how another person views and understands the Bible and God. How I view and understand God is between God and myself and no one is going to change that.
The Bible is a living and breathing book that needs to change with and be interpreted by the social and political context of the day. The Bible has gone through many interpretations and revisions from the time it was first written. As times change, social contexts change, and political contexts change, the interpretation of the Bible has also changed. And, it will continue to change. If the Bible remains static and the interpretation remains the same, it runs the risk of becoming irrelevant. History is littered with many gods and religions that became irrelevant because they couldn't or wouldn't change to fit new social and political realties.
Unfortunately, the Bible is being co-opted by the president and others, and is being used as an excused to try to write discrimination into the constitution. More people of good conscience, like Mr. Panko, need to stand up and say this is wrong. In our society we need to protect the rights of minorities from the abuses of those in power. Jesus stood up for and was friends with many minorities. He was a friend to women, children, the weak, the lame, lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors. All of who were outside the established order of the time. He taught that the meek shall inherit the earth. He went against the political and social establishment and powers and helped to form a new religious ideal. I believe that ideal has been lost on many people in this country who take the narrow view that homosexuality and gay marriage is something to be banned. This is not what I interpret Jesus to stand for. Jesus stands for love, hope, equality, and compassion. That is my interpretation of the Bible and Jesus.
When judgment day comes and I am standing before the throne of God and He is reviewing my life and how I lived it, I believe fair treatment and compassion for my fellow man will count for more than a rigid and unbending interpretation of the Bible. I believe what I believe and I will interpret and apply things from the Bible that I believe are best for my family and myself. The things I believe and have learned from the Bible are love, hope, equality, and compassion.
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