How Do You Read the Bible?
On my first day of my Intro to New Testament class, the professor said this:
A text that has been disembodied from any historical context is nothing but a pretext for you to say whatever you want.A.J. Levine's words on Monday are very true. We don't all have to be scholars with Ph.D.'s, but a quick look into the cultures that produced the documents we like to use as trump cards is well worth it. At a minimum, such an examination will prevent us from saying something stupid.
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Comments (3)
12:57 AM
Just up late doing a little Bible reading myself actually. Funny you should post on this topic because I was just getting on www.followtherabbi.com to check out what it might say about "salt" and the context in which it may have been used in Jesus' day.
11:50 AM
Amen to your professor.
8:51 PM
I always wanted to take a religion class or two. Professors really do know how to make any subject come alive.
Context is the most important determinant of behavior, really, so I agree that it doesn't make sense to study anything out of context.
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