Actually I agree with a lot of what you've written here.
I think the problem with scripture is that it was written in a very different time and culture; for its time it was progressive in many ways. Our modern ideas of justice and equality have evolved and are (IMO) much more sophisticated and ethical.
The idea of vicarious salvation also grates on me a great deal. I think at the time the NT was written it was an afterthought, a religious legalism; it wasn't central to Christian doctrine until the 11th Century.
To my way of thinking, the main usefulness of the Bible at this point is showing how progressive and theological thought evolved in its time period. Which means, really, that it is only relevant in small ways to modern life.
The idea of defying fate may be one of the small ways in which it might be relevant today.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2004-03-23 04:51 am (UTC)I think the problem with scripture is that it was written in a very different time and culture; for its time it was progressive in many ways. Our modern ideas of justice and equality have evolved and are (IMO) much more sophisticated and ethical.
The idea of vicarious salvation also grates on me a great deal. I think at the time the NT was written it was an afterthought, a religious legalism; it wasn't central to Christian doctrine until the 11th Century.
To my way of thinking, the main usefulness of the Bible at this point is showing how progressive and theological thought evolved in its time period. Which means, really, that it is only relevant in small ways to modern life.
The idea of defying fate may be one of the small ways in which it might be relevant today.