Comments on: How the Early Church Read the Bible http://www.thedarkglass.net/2010/01/18/how-the-early-church-read-the-bible/ Trying to nail down the shifting signifiers Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:23:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anthony Velez http://www.thedarkglass.net/2010/01/18/how-the-early-church-read-the-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-12079 Anthony Velez Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:26:35 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/?p=871#comment-12079 Roger - The dichotomy you pose between factually true and spiritually true invites exploration and examination. I get that the Scriptures are often true the way a good novel is true, insofar as it sheds light on the human condition. However, one of the central doctrines of Christianity, the Incarnation, affirms the importance of history for discerning spiritual truth. On the other hand, the Incarnation also addresses the limitations of history, as no one gets to the living Jesus through strict historical study. Roger – The dichotomy you pose between factually true and spiritually true invites exploration and examination. I get that the Scriptures are often true the way a good novel is true, insofar as it sheds light on the human condition. However, one of the central doctrines of Christianity, the Incarnation, affirms the importance of history for discerning spiritual truth. On the other hand, the Incarnation also addresses the limitations of history, as no one gets to the living Jesus through strict historical study.

]]> By: K.L.B. http://www.thedarkglass.net/2010/01/18/how-the-early-church-read-the-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-11996 K.L.B. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:16:06 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/?p=871#comment-11996 <em>"...the Early Church was more attuned to the way the Bible tells its own story, which includes a greater sensitivity to the symbolic dimension of human nature..." </em> Speaking as a Southerner, I can attest that in some sense, neither the beginning or the end of the story makes much difference. That's because, my good friend, we know that the story is in the telling. Remember, Anthony... "it's okay to say 'green.'" (*LOL*) Amen. “…the Early Church was more attuned to the way the Bible tells its own story, which includes a greater sensitivity to the symbolic dimension of human nature…”

Speaking as a Southerner, I can attest that in some sense, neither the beginning or the end of the story makes much difference. That’s because, my good friend, we know that the story is in the telling.

Remember, Anthony… “it’s okay to say ‘green.’” (*LOL*)

Amen.

]]> By: Roger Green http://www.thedarkglass.net/2010/01/18/how-the-early-church-read-the-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-11962 Roger Green Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:15:06 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/?p=871#comment-11962 It also occurred to me that when the early church read the Bible, the people thought the Second Coming was coming soon, and that fact colored both the perception of the Scripture, and quite possibly, its actual writing. It also occurred to me that when the early church read the Bible, the people thought the Second Coming was coming soon, and that fact colored both the perception of the Scripture, and quite possibly, its actual writing.

]]> By: Roger Green http://www.thedarkglass.net/2010/01/18/how-the-early-church-read-the-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-11957 Roger Green Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:49:29 +0000 http://www.thedarkglass.net/?p=871#comment-11957 When our little group does Bible study, we try (to some passing degree, anyway) to discern what the Scripture might have meant in its historical context, as well as what does it say to us now. Yet historical veracity has seldom, if ever, been an issue. Liberal that I am, I'd almost say that I DON'T CARE if it's factually true, as long as it's spiritually true. When our little group does Bible study, we try (to some passing degree, anyway) to discern what the Scripture might have meant in its historical context, as well as what does it say to us now. Yet historical veracity has seldom, if ever, been an issue. Liberal that I am, I’d almost say that I DON’T CARE if it’s factually true, as long as it’s spiritually true.

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