Foundational scripture
Apr. 11th, 2003 12:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sophiaserpentiaI've been largely silent for the past few days because I've spent most of my spare time, which hasn't been much lately, putting together this post.
In a comment on Beliefnet's Progressive Christianity board, user Sparrowhawk mentioned a concept by theologian Walter Bruggemann, that each Christian has about 40 passages which serve as a basis for her faith and actions. Inspired by this, I thought it might be an interesting exercize to see what passages have central importance for me.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive -- and at this point excludes sources outside the regular canon, a shortcoming I will have to rectify at some point -- but it helps put a lot of my ideas into perspective. I found the exercize very helpful.
Herein I've I read the word "deliverance" instead of salvation to translate swthria, because to me it represents more than anything else deliverance not from "eternal punishment in the afterlife" but from emptiness, hollowness, addiction, and emotional death in this life.
Matthew 25:31-46
This passage presents unconditional compassion as the foundation of deliverance. Christ resides even in the "least" of people, the most miserable, and they are deserving of our consolation. Nothing is said here about beliefs, just action.
Luke 17:20-21
The Kingdom of God (which I prefer to call the Cosmic Tribe, for reasons I discussed earlier) is within and among us -- it interpenetrates the followers of righteous teachings. Again I read this in a "wide" sense, meaning that the Cosmic Tribe extends to and interpenetrates all people who act from compassion and shine forth with inner light.
Matthew 22:34-40
The two greatest commandments are Compassion and Agape, which correlates in many ways to Buddhist mindfulness, but includes reverence for the divine as well.
Romans 14:6-8
It is not the details of a practice that make it a sacred rite, but rather, our attitude of thankfulness that can make every moment, and every mundane task sacred. This means turning every moment into a celebration of eucharist.
Galatians 2:19-21
Selfish concerns are replaced with sacred and harmonious concerns as one nourishes the Spirit of Christ within. This passage is the centerpiece of Christian mysticism.
Romans 6:4-6
The 'myth' of the resurrection of Christ is a model for the personal transformation that comes about by following the Christian path.
Ephesians 2:14-16
He who brings people together and destroys barriers between human beings, who teaches the law of compassion rather than the law of books, is the embodiment of peace.
Romans 13:8-10
Love is the fulfilling of the Law. This means that being concerned with rote following of sacred rules or state laws simply for their own sake misses the point; one who practices compassion not only achieves harmony with God but keeps the law as well.
Matthew 6:6
Prayer should be centered in the heart -- in one's "secret closet."
Matthew 5:3-11
The beatitudes in the sermon on the mount. It is impossible to comment on perfection, except perhaps to note that again, specific beliefs are not mentioned.
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. I've elaborated at some length here and here about the significance of "light" as a spiritual metaphor.
Matthew 7:7-11
Seek and you will find. The effort must be made, even though in a strict sense there is no single bit of effort required to acquire spiritual insight.
Matthew 7:12
This concerns the Ethics of Reciprocity, which I have previously addressed.
Matthew 7:17-20
"By their fruit you will recognize them." Read in a wider sense, this refers to the recognition of citizens of the Cosmic Tribe by their willingness to live by ethical standards, to radiate peace, and to speak words of love.
Matthew 7:21
Deliverance comes not from faith alone, but by following the will of the cosmic Father, or IOW acting in rhythm with the Root of All.
John 8:3-11
This demonstrates the way Jesus taught not by condemnation but by mercy. He saw the Law not as a system whereby people are punished for transgressions, but are guided towards that which is right. This is why a significant part of his message in the Sermon on the Mount focused on the inadequacy of the literal law to effect personal transformation.
Romans 7:6-13
The transformation spoken of above makes apparent the working of Spirit in many ways of the world -- including its presence in people of all faiths who act from compassion and agape. I read "The Law" in this passage as representing all religions, as sets of teachings meant to confer life, but becoming institutions of the world, the inner meanings being lost in favor of literalism. Religions are good things, but they only take so far towards being people of Spirit and must eventually be transcended.
Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-27
The common person is the lord of the Sabbath.
John 14:6-7
I used to read this verse the way I was taught to -- as a litmus test used primarily for "excluding" people from the Kingdom of Heaven. But lately I've come to see that it is inclusive; IOW I read this verse not as requiring worship of Jesus as Christ, but rather, inviting the Spirit of Christ into one's heart, and acting from compassion and agape. One comes to the Father through Christ -- whether or not one uses the 'name' "Christ" to represent the guiding spirit. So it can apply to the ones of any religion who approach God through the way of truth and life.
John 14:8-14
The one who contemplates Christ contemplates the Father (which I call "the Root of All") because Christ represents harmony with this Root. This passage strongly suggests that the relationship which Jesus had with the Root of All was not unique. Jesus explained that it was not he who performed works, but the Father through him, and further, that all who followed his teachings would be capable of the same, and more. I read this mystically to mean that Jesus intended for people of compassion and agape to be seen as agents, like him, of the Root of All.
Mark 7:18-20
It is not what goes in that defiles, but what comes out. This simple message demonstrates subtlely the perspective described in my comments on other verses -- that actions and sentiment are a much clearer indication of a person's spirit than their adherence to religions customs.
Ephesians 1:9-10
The "goal" of God is to harmonize all things on heaven and earth under one "head," that of Christ. The tendency of the cosmos is for all things to flow in concert with one another. From the perspective of the individual human, this translates into following the path of compassion and agape.
I Corinthians 15:42-49
Describes the resurrection and contrasts the physical (psychic) body with the spiritual (pneumatic) body. This is a somewhat esoteric passage that compares the self without deliverance to the self that has achieved some degree of deliverance. There is also a strong hint here that Paul, who came from the tradition of the Pharisees, who believed the righteous dead would be bodily resurrected at the coming of the Meshiakh, saw a radical revision of this concept in the Christian myth. The phrase "the body of Christ" is often used to refer to the church, human fellowship united by love. I believe Paul understood human fellowship as the "pneumatic body" into which Christ was risen.
Matthew 13:31
The kingdom of heaven is here compared to a "mustard seed." Farmers in the middle east sow mustard seed because it adds nutrients to the soil. Once it starts to grow it spreads rampantly, wildly, like a weed. So we might think then of the kingdom of heaven as something that we plant within ourselves, but that which grows beyond our ability to control it or box it in.
Matthew 3:16-17
The dove of the Holy Spirit descending onto Jesus at the time of his baptism. A very evocative
II Corinthians 2:14-16
The Christian community as the "aroma of Christ" possessing the "fragrance of Gnosis" is very evocative in an esoteric sense. I've commented on its esoteric implications here, but the passage has a more mystical meaning as well, an elaboration of the concepts mentioned in my comment on I Cor. 15:42-49.
John 3:1-20
The teaching to Nicodemus contains a concise summary of the relationship between Christ, Spirit, and humanity. It speaks of a personal transformation, being "born of water and of the Spirit," wherein one 'sees the light' as if for the first time, as if awakening from a dream. Those who do not act in righteousness do so because they cannot see clearly. It also shows that the Spirit is 'untameable,' in that it cannot be captured. The Christ (monogenes), though, through the example of its life and its descent into this world of darkness, makes it possible to apprehend the Spirit and act in harmony with it.
I Corinthians 2:6-13
This passage demonstrates that different people have different spiritual needs and approaches. Paul then indicates that he prefers the teaching that upholds that which has never been seen, heard, or known -- the ineffable mysteries.
In a comment on Beliefnet's Progressive Christianity board, user Sparrowhawk mentioned a concept by theologian Walter Bruggemann, that each Christian has about 40 passages which serve as a basis for her faith and actions. Inspired by this, I thought it might be an interesting exercize to see what passages have central importance for me.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive -- and at this point excludes sources outside the regular canon, a shortcoming I will have to rectify at some point -- but it helps put a lot of my ideas into perspective. I found the exercize very helpful.
Herein I've I read the word "deliverance" instead of salvation to translate swthria, because to me it represents more than anything else deliverance not from "eternal punishment in the afterlife" but from emptiness, hollowness, addiction, and emotional death in this life.
Matthew 25:31-46
This passage presents unconditional compassion as the foundation of deliverance. Christ resides even in the "least" of people, the most miserable, and they are deserving of our consolation. Nothing is said here about beliefs, just action.
Luke 17:20-21
The Kingdom of God (which I prefer to call the Cosmic Tribe, for reasons I discussed earlier) is within and among us -- it interpenetrates the followers of righteous teachings. Again I read this in a "wide" sense, meaning that the Cosmic Tribe extends to and interpenetrates all people who act from compassion and shine forth with inner light.
Matthew 22:34-40
The two greatest commandments are Compassion and Agape, which correlates in many ways to Buddhist mindfulness, but includes reverence for the divine as well.
Romans 14:6-8
It is not the details of a practice that make it a sacred rite, but rather, our attitude of thankfulness that can make every moment, and every mundane task sacred. This means turning every moment into a celebration of eucharist.
Galatians 2:19-21
Selfish concerns are replaced with sacred and harmonious concerns as one nourishes the Spirit of Christ within. This passage is the centerpiece of Christian mysticism.
Romans 6:4-6
The 'myth' of the resurrection of Christ is a model for the personal transformation that comes about by following the Christian path.
Ephesians 2:14-16
He who brings people together and destroys barriers between human beings, who teaches the law of compassion rather than the law of books, is the embodiment of peace.
Romans 13:8-10
Love is the fulfilling of the Law. This means that being concerned with rote following of sacred rules or state laws simply for their own sake misses the point; one who practices compassion not only achieves harmony with God but keeps the law as well.
Matthew 6:6
Prayer should be centered in the heart -- in one's "secret closet."
Matthew 5:3-11
The beatitudes in the sermon on the mount. It is impossible to comment on perfection, except perhaps to note that again, specific beliefs are not mentioned.
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. I've elaborated at some length here and here about the significance of "light" as a spiritual metaphor.
Matthew 7:7-11
Seek and you will find. The effort must be made, even though in a strict sense there is no single bit of effort required to acquire spiritual insight.
Matthew 7:12
This concerns the Ethics of Reciprocity, which I have previously addressed.
Matthew 7:17-20
"By their fruit you will recognize them." Read in a wider sense, this refers to the recognition of citizens of the Cosmic Tribe by their willingness to live by ethical standards, to radiate peace, and to speak words of love.
Matthew 7:21
Deliverance comes not from faith alone, but by following the will of the cosmic Father, or IOW acting in rhythm with the Root of All.
John 8:3-11
This demonstrates the way Jesus taught not by condemnation but by mercy. He saw the Law not as a system whereby people are punished for transgressions, but are guided towards that which is right. This is why a significant part of his message in the Sermon on the Mount focused on the inadequacy of the literal law to effect personal transformation.
Romans 7:6-13
The transformation spoken of above makes apparent the working of Spirit in many ways of the world -- including its presence in people of all faiths who act from compassion and agape. I read "The Law" in this passage as representing all religions, as sets of teachings meant to confer life, but becoming institutions of the world, the inner meanings being lost in favor of literalism. Religions are good things, but they only take so far towards being people of Spirit and must eventually be transcended.
Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-27
The common person is the lord of the Sabbath.
John 14:6-7
I used to read this verse the way I was taught to -- as a litmus test used primarily for "excluding" people from the Kingdom of Heaven. But lately I've come to see that it is inclusive; IOW I read this verse not as requiring worship of Jesus as Christ, but rather, inviting the Spirit of Christ into one's heart, and acting from compassion and agape. One comes to the Father through Christ -- whether or not one uses the 'name' "Christ" to represent the guiding spirit. So it can apply to the ones of any religion who approach God through the way of truth and life.
John 14:8-14
The one who contemplates Christ contemplates the Father (which I call "the Root of All") because Christ represents harmony with this Root. This passage strongly suggests that the relationship which Jesus had with the Root of All was not unique. Jesus explained that it was not he who performed works, but the Father through him, and further, that all who followed his teachings would be capable of the same, and more. I read this mystically to mean that Jesus intended for people of compassion and agape to be seen as agents, like him, of the Root of All.
Mark 7:18-20
It is not what goes in that defiles, but what comes out. This simple message demonstrates subtlely the perspective described in my comments on other verses -- that actions and sentiment are a much clearer indication of a person's spirit than their adherence to religions customs.
Ephesians 1:9-10
The "goal" of God is to harmonize all things on heaven and earth under one "head," that of Christ. The tendency of the cosmos is for all things to flow in concert with one another. From the perspective of the individual human, this translates into following the path of compassion and agape.
I Corinthians 15:42-49
Describes the resurrection and contrasts the physical (psychic) body with the spiritual (pneumatic) body. This is a somewhat esoteric passage that compares the self without deliverance to the self that has achieved some degree of deliverance. There is also a strong hint here that Paul, who came from the tradition of the Pharisees, who believed the righteous dead would be bodily resurrected at the coming of the Meshiakh, saw a radical revision of this concept in the Christian myth. The phrase "the body of Christ" is often used to refer to the church, human fellowship united by love. I believe Paul understood human fellowship as the "pneumatic body" into which Christ was risen.
Matthew 13:31
The kingdom of heaven is here compared to a "mustard seed." Farmers in the middle east sow mustard seed because it adds nutrients to the soil. Once it starts to grow it spreads rampantly, wildly, like a weed. So we might think then of the kingdom of heaven as something that we plant within ourselves, but that which grows beyond our ability to control it or box it in.
Matthew 3:16-17
The dove of the Holy Spirit descending onto Jesus at the time of his baptism. A very evocative
II Corinthians 2:14-16
The Christian community as the "aroma of Christ" possessing the "fragrance of Gnosis" is very evocative in an esoteric sense. I've commented on its esoteric implications here, but the passage has a more mystical meaning as well, an elaboration of the concepts mentioned in my comment on I Cor. 15:42-49.
John 3:1-20
The teaching to Nicodemus contains a concise summary of the relationship between Christ, Spirit, and humanity. It speaks of a personal transformation, being "born of water and of the Spirit," wherein one 'sees the light' as if for the first time, as if awakening from a dream. Those who do not act in righteousness do so because they cannot see clearly. It also shows that the Spirit is 'untameable,' in that it cannot be captured. The Christ (monogenes), though, through the example of its life and its descent into this world of darkness, makes it possible to apprehend the Spirit and act in harmony with it.
I Corinthians 2:6-13
This passage demonstrates that different people have different spiritual needs and approaches. Paul then indicates that he prefers the teaching that upholds that which has never been seen, heard, or known -- the ineffable mysteries.
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no subject
Date: 2003-04-11 11:44 am (UTC)jeremian 1:something-something
"and the word of god was made to me, saying, "before you were born, i knew you. while you were in the womb, i chose you to be a prophet to the nations."
not the exact quote, working off of memory here.
no subject
Date: 2003-04-11 11:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-11 01:50 pm (UTC)I am a Prophet
Date: 2003-04-18 12:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-11 12:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-11 01:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-12 04:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-14 05:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-18 12:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-20 04:03 pm (UTC)I'm not sure how examining the Greek would change the reading of this passage; it is not a different translation that affects my understanding of the verse, but a way of reading it. As I mentioned, I read it in a "wider inclusionary" sense rather than a "narrow exclusionary" sense. I think that the essence of Christ is to draw people together, not to create distinctions but to bind by compassion.
In one of my very first entries on LJ I described another interesting perspective about this passage:
http://www.livejournal.com/talkread.bml?journal=sophiaserpentia&itemid=340
I think that the word "Christ" refers to that spirit which draws humankind closer to the divine. Since this is a work that is never done, I cannot imagine that the Christ would truly limit itself to one time, or culture, or place, and so risk the failure of its task.
I agree with Paul when he says "when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all" (I Cor. 15:28). Either there is to be total reconciliation, or this will never come to pass.
Analogies
Date: 2003-04-21 07:35 pm (UTC)I believe in a literal Jesus, from a literal bible, telling about only one way to heaven...through him and his death on the cross.
Comments?
All things are subject to him. God is all in all.
Re: Analogies
Date: 2003-04-21 08:34 pm (UTC)Turning away from Christianity at that young age was like freeing myself from under a burden -- but at the same time, I spent many years afterwards feeling like a spiritual refugee in a self-imposed exile.
It was not until much later that I learned there are other ways to approach scripture -- and finally being able to appreciate the beauty in scripture was like watching a desert bloom into life.
It is not that I am "guessing" what passages mean, so much as that I feel these meanings are like blooms just starting to push up through concrete that was laid down over them.
Re: Analogies
Date: 2003-04-21 11:08 pm (UTC)In what ways has the Bible fallen short of your science, common sense, and self examination standard?
When you approach scripture the way you do...you "appear" to be attempting to make it say the opposite of what it says.
How has your "reality" made you not believe in a real literal bible?
Re: Analogies
Date: 2003-04-22 05:24 am (UTC)Re: Analogies
Date: 2003-04-22 09:06 am (UTC)