Random
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

When we read the bible, we have to understand that the bible is full of idioms, euphemisms, allegories andparallelism. Read the bible for yourself.

Don't just go with what the church says. For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church was the only church and they were wrong about a lot of things. Not saying that Protestantism is any better. People make their own interpretations and you have to decide for yourself what you should believe.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
SW-User
Understanding scripture according to the Catholic Church:-

To search out the intention of the sacred writers, attention should be given, among other things, to "literary forms." For truth is set forth and expressed differently in texts which are variously historical, prophetic, poetic, or of other forms of discourse. The interpreter must investigate what meaning the sacred writer intended to express and actually expressed in particular circumstances by using contemporary literary forms in accordance with the situation of his own time and culture. For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another. (Dei Verbum, III, 12, 2)
SW-User
@SW-User It seems fairly evident and apparent that approaching any text with such an understanding in mind will offer a movement of the spirit that [i]blows where it will[/i]. Transforming insular creeds of what is only Jesusainity into a true and life giving Christianity. Transforming the "only way" of a time conditioned creed into the only way of a Reality that reveals its truth of grace to [i]all[/i] in infinite ways, according to the infinite uniqueness of each human being.

Those who would seek to argue can argue amongst themselves as to just which of them is the "true" Christian. God is not a christian.
SW-User
@SW-User Regarding the "sacred" author (noted it seems to be presumed it is a HE or a HIM...😀 ) , as I see it, from a non-dualist perpective, ALL writing and words are "sacred". Then truly the spirit blows where it will. Those who have ears to hear etc etc etc