June 03 2009
If there is anything that should be obvious that we could all agree upon it is that the Bible is full of contradictions. Why I wrestled with this for so long in my spiritual journey can only be attributed to the blind submissiveness I embraced from my pastoral leaders. I was simply told to BELIEVE, even when it seemed impossible- totally foolish. There are many things that are sacred and yet contradictory, all of which makes the mysteries even more fascinating.
Besides, who ever thought we could totally figure out God: from a book which was copied from other books; which has been translated hundreds of ways; of which there is no original manuscripts? One has to either set aside all logic and reasoning or embrace the mystery or enjoy the journey and mystery of not knowing all, but BEING ALL.
Beyond all of the contradictions, of which there are hundreds, and the "letter of the law" is the fruit of the Spirit. Do we, who say we're Christians, carry the Spirit of Christ? Are we loving, caring, merciful, tolerant, and considerate of the views and opinions of others? Or, are we full of CERTITUDE (which usually smacks of arrogance and pride) that WE KNOW, and everyone else who disagrees with that which we KNOW (or have interpreted from past teachers and the environment from which we were reared) are in error?
Probably the two greatest black and white Biblical interpretations are ALL will be saved vs. only those who follow one religion will be saved. Of course that ONE religion is the one YOU embrace. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Taoists, Jews, and Christians all have their BIAS as to how that WAY to salvation is and what needs to be done to "get to heaven". Do any of these arguments usher bring peace? When one Bible verse can be totally offset by another Bible verse (ALL will be saved vs. only those who plead the blood of Jesus will be saved), how is it that anyone can say with such certainty that "THEY" somehow have the right interpretation?
For me, the best way to balance the many Biblical contradictions is not to DENY they exists, but to ENJOY the MYSTERY of the Spirit (in love) and simply SERVE mankind as we feel the Spirit leading. Jesus simply said FOLLOW ME, not worship me, not idolize my words, not even start a RELIGION based on me. Live the life of Christ and develop the MIND OF CHRIST. And how do I define the "mind of Christ"? It's simply UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
And that is the GOOD NEWS!
About the Author: As a spiritual-futurist, I interpret current events in light of possible macro-universal forces at play leading up to 2012, but not limited to it. Author: Ernie Fitzpatrick
