It is not just some "ancient book" that speaks, it is the weight of Holy Tradition that speaks.
It is the same to me if what we have on one side of the equation are a set of abstract concepts or principles, being weighed against the needs of flesh and blood people. It makes little practical difference, in my analysis, whether the wisdom under consideration is part of an ongoing tradition or whether it took on final form 2000 years ago.
I cannot think of one instance where Jesus compromised a moral teaching
I can think of two offhand. Picking Wheat on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8) and the Adulterous Woman (John 8:2-11). In both of these cases, Jesus argued against the literalistic interpretation of the law in favor of cutting people some slack because they need our compassion. To emphasize this point, he quoted the prophet Hosea: "God demands mercy and not sacrifice;" God wants our mercy more than he wants us to uphold abstract principles.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-03-13 08:21 pm (UTC)It is the same to me if what we have on one side of the equation are a set of abstract concepts or principles, being weighed against the needs of flesh and blood people. It makes little practical difference, in my analysis, whether the wisdom under consideration is part of an ongoing tradition or whether it took on final form 2000 years ago.
I cannot think of one instance where Jesus compromised a moral teaching
I can think of two offhand. Picking Wheat on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8) and the Adulterous Woman (John 8:2-11). In both of these cases, Jesus argued against the literalistic interpretation of the law in favor of cutting people some slack because they need our compassion. To emphasize this point, he quoted the prophet Hosea: "God demands mercy and not sacrifice;" God wants our mercy more than he wants us to uphold abstract principles.