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literal liesIt is sad when the Bible is used as an intellectual retreat rather than as liberation. This is not a recent problem. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430) pointed out that a literal reading of the Bible brings Christianity into disrepute by supporting opinions that are demonstrated nonsense. He poured scorn on those who use the Bible to attack Science. In times of social change, the insecure and ignorant may feel threatened, seek simple answers based on stereotypes and attempt to purge, persecute and oppress others. Jesus taught in parables. He was not literally a vine or a shepherd any more than his followers were branches or sheep. The parable of the sower is not a lesson in farming. Jesus specifically told his disciples that those who took the parable literally missed the point. Other parts of the Bible are poems, hymns, prayers, fables, myths and legends. The first chapter of Genesis is a ceremonial hymn, which celebrates the glory and graciousness of God. It is one of three creation stories. To read them literally is to become enmeshed in the contradictions between them - they cannot all the literally true in all their details. It is the same with the various stories of the birth of Jesus. Attempts to blend them into a consistent narrative is an exercise in creative writing that misses the point of the Gospel. |