I've been researching for the past few months for a big honkin paper I have to write and it's all centered around the Bible. That being said, I've spent hours looking at biblical texts, seeking out answers to various academic questions. Am I, then, using the Bible to my own end of writing a defendable paper?
I'm searching for "truth" but not necessarily the kind of truth that's going to form me into a better person, that's going to place me more in line with biblical morality. Rather, I'm trying to write a strong paper and make defendable points.
People do this all the time in academia, art, business. Pastors do it when they write sermons to an extent.
What about the marketing of Bibles? Christian bookstores sell a Bible for just about everyone in every circumstance; "Teen Study", "Nursing Mothers", "Men Who Eat Chocolate On Tuesdays." What about biblical iconography? Or the protestant Bibles of the 18-19th centuries with more bling than T-Pain's cadillac?
Is it right? Is there a "proper", "God-honoring" way to read the Bible? Are there lines and boundaries to be drawn (and where)?Or, can the Bible be manipulated and used to yield certain results without the necessary intent of transformation and TRUTH (with a capital 'T')?
I don't think studying the Bible would be dishonoring it. I can understand about mis-using it in that you manipulate it...but how can you separate that manipulation from interpretation? It's easy to say my interpretation is right and theirs is wrong, but how do you really get the ultimate truth on that. Also, who's to say that everyone's interpretations are bad things (not to say that some aren't)? They're just seeking God. I think there are things to be learned from listening to other's interpretations. That being said, I believe firmly in mine and think it's the correct one...so, there you go.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would like the "Men Who Eat Chocolate On Tuesdays" Bible please.