A Liberal Testament

[susannah]

In response to the very honest post of okaywhatsnext yesterday, I thought I would set out here some the reasons I believe that our faith is not dependent on an inerrant bible but actually benefits from viewing the bible as a human and fallible document. I am a 'liberal' christian in the sense that my approach to the bible is one where I'm prepared to

Comments

[catholic_heart]

Unfortunately, when you say your way gives the opportunity "for each of us to open out and explore this Godde we meet and really think for ourselves about morality, what that really translates into is, "the opportunity to create God in our own image, and create our own human morality without reference to the objective morality given to us by God." I'm sorry, but your way only leads to idolatry, which is exactly what Godde is.

The funny thing is, at first glance our views on the Bible don't seem so far off. It's when you begin to really explain it that the chasm opens up. I recognize the limitedness of the human authors, and the social and anthropological components. But the difference is, recognizing God's inspiration means that I recognize that through limited human beings, God has decided exactly what truths He wishes us to know, and has allowed those truths to be expressed in their human terms. That, to me, makes the encounter with God so much more profound.

[susannah]

"the opportunity to create God in our own image..."Michael, I think that is also what the author of Joshua was doing, when he portrays Godde as so belligerent, and as the one who commanded the slaughter of the Canaanites

The bible 'contains' the truth, but is itself flawed

[susannah]

Do you think it is 'inspired' in the sense that every single word is actually an expression of how Godde views things

[mlfoley]

The gods, like most everything else, are a giant Rorschach test.

[osita2000]

i love you

[susannah]

Cool :) Thank you. I'm probably going to need some love with this topic!

[forensicgirl]

So much word, my friend. So. Much. Word

[muffledlaugh]

i guess i should start by saying that i believe the Bible to be an inspired text and that the authors transcribed it without error to the best of their ability in understanding God.

i think my confusion of the inerrancy issue is that many times when people use the phrase "inerrant Bible" they don't mean 'every word was transcribed without error as written in the original manuscripts', but rather that original idea with 'my interpretation of the translated words are inerrant' added along to it.

and i guess i have a bigger problem with the second statement rather than the first.

[susannah]

Well an example with the second statement might be

[muffledlaugh]

the inerrancy arguments always just seem to muddle my mind, which i find troubling because i really shouldn't let it get in the way of how i experience God or what i take from the Bible.

whether i believe the Bible inerrant or not, i really don't think it really impacts my relationship with God or even impacts what i take from the Bible that strengthens that relationship.

btw, kudos to you Richard, as i'm sure your inbox has been taking a beating with all these interesting and 'controversial' posts-- i admire your courage and strength to stand behind what you believe and to express it in a way that is neither patronizing or condescending, but open to question and fostering discussion.

[susannah]

Oh! Well, I really appreciate your kind comment, thank you :)

Yes, as you say, my inbox has been a bit manic since I posted that abortion post. It's still carrying on.

As you say, the most important thing of all is to keep focussed on God.