Spring Break
Effects of complicated Christianity
Sara Gwin
Issue date: 7/2/08 Section: Forum
There has always been something incredibly fascinating to me about religion. In particular, Christianity is something I have spent the better part of 15 years trying to understand.
I picked up the Bible at a very young age as I began my foray into literature.
From a reader's point of view, I loved how complicated it was. It features parables, supposed real life accounts of Jesus and other biblical figures, ancient history, psalms, proverbs, Apocalyptic books and letters, among other forms of text that may or may not be easily apparent.
Texts can have a myriad of interpretations depending upon the age, sex, class, race and sexual orientation of the reader, not to mention the differences that can develop if he or she believes that the Bible is the literal or inspired word of God, and what type of Christian, or other religion or non-religion a person might be.
I relished in the challenge to learn from the different perspectives and interpretations in order to better understand the Bible. I enjoyed engaging others in philosophical debates and always felt that I gained so much more by questioning and examining what I believed.
It was so interesting to me that even the Ten Commandments, the seemingly most straight-forward part of the Bible were open to interpretation.
For example, the commandment on adultery is often interpreted as more than the physical act of cheating by a husband or wife, but is a Commandment to not have pre-marital sex (as one would be cheating on one's future spouse) or even lustful thoughts toward another.
As I grew older and got a better understanding of history, it became interesting to look at texts from a historical perspective. Revelation is an Apocalyptic book that promised the second coming of Jesus within the lifetime of the author and has subsequently been used to foretell the upcoming Apocalypse during numerous centuries since then. Yet by considering that the text was written during the brutal persecution of Christians by the Romans, this writing could have been some semblance of hope for the author and others during that difficult time.
I picked up the Bible at a very young age as I began my foray into literature.
From a reader's point of view, I loved how complicated it was. It features parables, supposed real life accounts of Jesus and other biblical figures, ancient history, psalms, proverbs, Apocalyptic books and letters, among other forms of text that may or may not be easily apparent.
Texts can have a myriad of interpretations depending upon the age, sex, class, race and sexual orientation of the reader, not to mention the differences that can develop if he or she believes that the Bible is the literal or inspired word of God, and what type of Christian, or other religion or non-religion a person might be.
I relished in the challenge to learn from the different perspectives and interpretations in order to better understand the Bible. I enjoyed engaging others in philosophical debates and always felt that I gained so much more by questioning and examining what I believed.
It was so interesting to me that even the Ten Commandments, the seemingly most straight-forward part of the Bible were open to interpretation.
For example, the commandment on adultery is often interpreted as more than the physical act of cheating by a husband or wife, but is a Commandment to not have pre-marital sex (as one would be cheating on one's future spouse) or even lustful thoughts toward another.
As I grew older and got a better understanding of history, it became interesting to look at texts from a historical perspective. Revelation is an Apocalyptic book that promised the second coming of Jesus within the lifetime of the author and has subsequently been used to foretell the upcoming Apocalypse during numerous centuries since then. Yet by considering that the text was written during the brutal persecution of Christians by the Romans, this writing could have been some semblance of hope for the author and others during that difficult time.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Ryan Purcell
posted 7/02/08 @ 9:47 PM PST
I am honestly not sure of the point of this article. Is this a reflection on Biblical interpretation? Is it a commentary on Biblical use in society? Is the musings of a person on the nature of faith? I am struck by the extremely superficial level of understanding of both the Bible and Christian theology displayed in this article. (Continued…)
Cara Bath
posted 7/03/08 @ 5:01 PM PST
As a Christian, I appreciate your indication that "a belief in God can have a positive impact on a person's life," and I also appreciate your vast knowledge of the Bible but at the same time, logic has been lost in several of your statements. (Continued…)
Andrew Barella
posted 7/15/08 @ 2:29 AM PST
What are you talking about? I love it when people say they are accepting of all views except those of Christianity. Because to me that is basically what you are saying. (Continued…)
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