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Bible in general (Archive 1)
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| Bible Question (short): Should the Bible be taken literally? |
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Question (full): A while back I asked the question should the Bible be taken literally or should we bring in outside knowledge that may effect the meaning of the text. Everyone insisted on examples and everything I could think of was so inflammatory that the examples ended up being debated rather than the question that precipitated it. Yesterday on the Radio one of my favorite radio preachers (no I will not identify him as that knowledge could taint this thread so please if anyone else heard this please do not use his name.) This preacher was talking about the Prodigal son Luke 15:11-32, in verse 19 the son decides to return to his father. Luke 15:19 “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men." I read this as repentance and humbleness on the part of the son. And I think the rest of the story bears that out. However the Radio preacher said that this shows he still had a harden heart and wanted to come back on his terms. He explained his reasoning this way. In those times there were three classes of servants. Slaves, who had not choices in life, Bond servants that had no choices at work but for the most part were free after, and hired men that could choose their jobs and had total freedom after work. Therefore because this son came back and asked to a “hire men” shows he still wanted to do what he want to do. I say God did not intend man to analyze this story to that extent but rather wanted us to take it at face value. The son thought he knew best, went out blew everything he had, nearly starved, realized his dad wasn’t so dumb after all, and returned home. Knowing what he had done he said he wasn’t worthy of being a son again but would he please be allowed to work for room and board. I see total repentance, the radio preacher saw manipulation and rebellion. I’m not questioning the accuracy of the radio preacher analysis what I’m questioning is, should it have been done in the first place. Should we read this passage and take it for what it says without analyzing the son's motivates or must we analyze each point and find “hidden meanings”? What about the rest of the Bible? My question is: Is everything we need to know contained in the Bible? And if it is, then if when we try to use outside knowledge which effects the meaning of a passage are we doing a dis-justice or not? Does your answer apply in all situations? If not who chooses when it should apply and when it shouldn't? Be careful how you answer here, it may effect more than you think! |
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