From my special
post to Brian one might assume I do not believe in the words of the Bible so I am posting this explanation
of my views on the Holy Bible, an anthology of ancient texts.
In the past there existed individual texts which were deemed to be wise, historic or sacred. These were commonly referred to collectively as “the scripture”, even though they were actually separate writings and not conveniently formatted into one single published book. In rare instances, an individual, or group of individuals, would have a collection of these highly prized texts, usually held in scroll form or on parchment. These would have been meticulously copied
by scribes, a quite lengthy and very expensive process. Generally only wealthy households or places of worship held these reproductions. The common man had very limited access to them simply because of the expense. To
give some perspective on what it took to create just one Bible by a
scribe, here is a blurb from Atlas Obscura quoting the National Library
of Sweden on what was involved in hand copying just one "Bible":
The National Library of Sweden puts this massive undertaking into perspective:
“If the scribe worked for six hours a day and wrote six days a week
this means that the manuscript could have taken about five years to
complete. If the scribe was a monk he may only have been able to work
for about three hours a day, and this means that the manuscript could
have taken ten years to write. As the scribe may also have ruled the
lines to guide the writing before he began to write (it probably took
several hours to rule one leaf), this extends the period it took to
complete the manuscript. The scribe also decorated the manuscript, so
this all means that the manuscript probably took at least 20 years to
finish, and could even have taken 30.” https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/codex-gigas-the-devil-s-bible?mc_cid=afd9fd1e2e&mc_eid=a74cb27ecf
For those wanting to read these scriptural texts, assuming they were literate in the first place, they would usually go to the location where the books or scrolls were held. Paper was an expensive commodity so most often these books and scrolls were held in a place of worship. It was in this manner the “scriptures” were disseminated
broadly and very few written copies existed because the printing press had not
yet been invented. Paper was quite limited, expensive and highly
valued, and just making paper was a very time-consuming process.
To produce a skin for a scroll took much less time so scrolls were more common than bound books. This is how it was for most of history since paper was not machine made and
available at your closest Office Depot. I have made paper and, while it is not difficult, it is messy and requires lots of pressing and drying for the paper to be
functional. Our modern world, with its multitude of printing presses, copy machines
and giant paper mills has given us a skewed view of books. The ease at which we do things now, especially
with the internet and computers, was not the norm historically. We must view the scriptures in the historical context in which they were written and not lose sight of what is most
important; kindness and love. This graph below illustrates how books began to permeate our world more than at any time in previous history. The graph shows the rise into the 1800's but then the number of published books, including printed copies of the Bible, rose exponentially in the 1900's, especially after the two World Wars.
Tentotwo
Data from: Buringh, Eltjo; van Zanden, Jan Luiten: "Charting the “Rise
of the West”: Manuscripts and Printed Books in Europe, A Long-Term
Perspective from the Sixth through Eighteenth Centuries", The Journal of
Economic History, Vol. 69, No. 2 (2009), pp. 409–445 (417, table 2), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Previously, one had to be literate, or have a family member or friend
that was literate, to
even read the scriptures. The illiterate would sometimes
pay a literate individual as a “reader” and even today, in many countries, it is common for persons to make their living as “readers” for less literate
individuals. The concept of a Bible study, with everyone sitting in a circle, or a square, reading from a
printed Bible, surrounded by study books and commentaries, is quite new and was unheard of before our modern times.
The Bible became a
mass-produced bound book of selected texts just hundreds of years ago. Not that
long ago in relation to the age of mankind. This anthology of assembled texts we call the
“Holy Bible” was created by the early Catholic church and became mass produced less than eight-hundred years ago. It was named “The Holy Bible”, with “Holy” meaning
these were the texts set apart as approved and accepted to be given to the laity. These were expressed as being the entire wealth of knowledge to explain God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and all things pertaining to. But
who decided these were the accepted texts, to the exclusion of other texts? It was a
group of men, some with large egos who were willing to kill for their views. There were also others of lesser ego who descended into political games, or party
arguments, to defend their personal view of what to include and what to exclude. This compiling of texts, from around the world, was not a time
of contemplation or reverence. It was not a time of consulting God, or the Spirit, on what should, or
should not be, included. Some of these
texts were even acquired by means of pillage and plunder.
These acquired texts were assembled as the
"accepted texts" by a committee that, at times, even led to a beheading or a stake burning. The "guilty" being labeled as “blasphemers”
or “heretics” as justification.
What followed is the creation of the book we now call the "Holy Bible". A proliferation of other books to divide and explain this Bible soon followed. Young’s, Strong’s, Vine’s, Stegenga, to name
but a few. All of these books were written in very modern times. There is even a book that attempts to
harmonize all four gospels together but the four gospels have four different
authors, with four different perspectives, written in four
different time frames, all post Christ’s death and resurrection and, with
their varied perspective come perspective differences. These
differences should be embraced, rather than explained away in yet another book. In
1684 some of the original books selected for "The Holy Bible" were removed; Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom of Jesus ben Sira,
Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Daniel Additions… In fact, the Bible itself, refers to books that no longer exist in our current Bible. (See reference below courtesy
of Wikipedia.) Where are these books?
If you choose to forgo Old Testament history, the prophets and wisdom books, and just write the entire
history of Jesus short life instead…good luck. John referenced this at the end of his
writings. “And there
are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be
written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the
books that should be written. Amen.”
So,
one need asks; What are we missing? What important thing did Jesus say that we
will never know? Is it important to know? Can we find yet another book that
clarifies these things? Someone probably wrote them down. Isn’t it important we
find these writings? If I die without this knowledge, do I still achieve salvation?
Perhaps Jesus gave additional instructions on baptism before he was taken up. Will
God still honor my baptism if I did not have this knowledge?
So, what then? How do
we find the whole truth if it is not written or accessible? We have now the Holy
Bible printed in mass quantities, which can be purchased for very little. We have endless commentaries and study
books to explain it and we believe these will show us the right way. Most often the overuse of these books only puffs up egos and causes divisions. These books,
it is assumed, help us create structure and define a “map” to God and salvation, but this is wrong. Did God ask us to
create a structure for Him? No. When
King David asked to create a structure for God, God’s response was
“As I have moved with the Israelites, I have never said
to the tribes, whom I commanded to take care of my people Israel, “Why haven’t
you built me a house of cedar?”’
Did God ever
ask for a structure, real or virtual?” No. Paul wrote to the Corinthian’s that we ourselves
are God’s building. But I hear the repercussions now. “We, the ABC, teach
others to build a foundation”. Great! Clearly not a bad idea. Necessary for any sound building. But what then? A virtual house for the worship of God. Each is to build their
own house, preferably with gold, silver and precious stones. But in every house there will inevitably be a bit of wood, hay and stubble as well.
What happens in the ABC is foundation is layered upon foundation, again and again, rather than supplying those
things it takes to build a solid house; Justice, Mercy and Faithfulness.
The original
plan was one would receive help planting their foundation and would then be set free into the world to help others lay a foundation. The plan was never to congeal into a formalized structure,
real or virtual, incorporated or not. It
is up to each of us to build a house on our foundation. One that is not tied to a format built on books from dead trees. In this way, everyone’s house is diverse, just as nature is diverse. Some homes are
works of art, with precious stones, while others are made of sod and hay. Both are
suitable as a dwelling because, if one has a foundation in Christ, the house is but a temporary dwelling anyhow. In the final fire, if the house is totally
destroyed, so be it. The foundation remains. Therefore we should not be quick to judge one another over our
words or actions. Paul understood
this when he wrote to the Corinthians.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are
God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of
God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation,
and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will
become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire;
and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures,
he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer
loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
In Ezra, when the foundation of the temple was laid, this is when the priests shouted for joy. This is when the temple was considered intact again and not when the structure was built on top.
When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord:
“For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”
Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
Each one’s work. Those are important words. Each one’s work. We cannot be quick to judge another person’s work. It is not our responsibility to build anyone’s house or tear it down. Each one's work.
It has been illustrated the foundation consists of multiple building blocks but nature does not build in blocks. Nature is a symphony and nature composes and a true foundation is a singular rock composed of many elements. There are no foundation building "blocks" since a foundation made of blocks is not solid and will drift and crack with each movement of the surrounding earth. Rock is the only true firm foundation.
Books are blocks and truth will never be found solely in a book. Books are great in their convenience
but must not be worshiped. Books are noise. Books are flawed.
God speaks with a still small voice and the excess noise from books has the
effect of drowning out God’s still small voice.
On that final night I taught at Mark’s home, after which I was accused of blasphemy, I was continuously
interrupted by others with Greek words, tenses, contexts, mate
scriptures and the like. There was a furious rattle of book pages by a few as
they pored through books, seeking out the precise Greek
words, tenses and the like. All to prove, or disprove, my words in real time. It got so intense, at one point, I stopped teaching, then leaning forward slightly over
the podium nearly begged people to listen to the message of the words,
rather than be so wrapped up in senseless word and tense searches. Internally I was seriously about to cry that night because people had become so hardened to the beauty of the words, love and respect
for one another was lost and was replaced with a focus on the technicality of the words themselves, not the
message of what they say. My plea fell on deafened ears and it is
clear from the outcome some took great offense that night. I do understand that trap. I
too was once a great Pharisee emboldened by my phylactery of knowledge and was expert
at pursuing these word wars with others. I gloried in my books but it is a
fruit killing poison.
I liken it to a time
I went on a “wildflower hike” with a hiking group. I found the leader had no
intention of having the group wander silently on a trail through fields of wildflowers while
enjoying their beauty. Instead, as soon as we parked, he got out a large wooden
case from his trunk filled with magnifying glasses. He handed one to each
person on the “hike” then set us to wander in a small field, right next to the noisy
highway, looking at tiny stamens and pistils while he expounded endlessly from his
knowledge of the reproductive cycle of wildflowers. For two hours! Yet, if one
had just gotten up off their knees that day, and put down that magnifying glass, they could have
wandered inland just a bit to listen to the silence of the field and take in
the glory of God’s creation all around. They would have been much more edified observing the beauty of the wildflowers instead of the technicality.
Knowledge
puffs up, only the Spirit gives life. I need not be burdened with the understanding
of stamens and pistils to understand the wildflowers God created. God’s
presence is in every single wildflower, and all of creation and that is
all I need to know. I need not know tenses and moods and perfect alignments of
contexts in a book to understand the beauty of God. In fact, if I do pursue the technicality over the beauty I run the risk of becoming
puffed up in my noisy knowledge, no longer able to hear the
the voice of God. Note how many times
David and Solomon reference God’s created things in Psalms and Proverbs. Books
are man’s creation, wildflowers are not. You cannot reproduce the peace of the Spirit
of God with a printing press.
I can hear the words
now in my head as I write this. We are to “rightly divide the word of Truth”
(2Ti. 2:15) or that “all scripture is God breathed…” (2 Ti. 3:16), etc., etc.
etc. All are true, but the mass produced anthology of
ancient texts we now call “The Holy Bible” did not exist in Jesus day, or Timothy’s
day, or Paul’s day, or Mathew’s day, or Marks day…or for well over one-thousand
years following. This piece of scripture is not talking about an anthology of
texts, modern and ancient, chunked out in global printing presses then sliced and diced
into book, chapter and verse with concordance attached. Words are now easily shredded and reformed into a structure of our own design.
The scripture in Timothy’s day, would have been the Torah, Septuagint and various other
collections of prized letters and texts that were not universally available at
your local bookstore. They were instead committed to memory, as imperfect as that may seem. These were non-formatted
texts with no chapter, paragraph, verse numbering and no context notation
whatsoever. No printed concordance or commentary existed to interpret these
texts. Prior to the industrial age most
learning was of an oral tradition but with the advent of the printing press
we now have a mass production of books that are too easily sliced, diced and reformed ad infinitum to match one’s, or a group’s,
own personal view. This is not how it was meant to be. One could argue the word “divide” here is not technically a mathematical term, but to argue that point would just be descending straight
back into the war over words I reject and abhor.
What has happened over
the centuries is these once separate books, texts, poems, histories, laws
and prophetic visions, meant to be viewed independently from each other, with
their varying perspective and earthly flaws, have now been congealed into many divisive
doctrines. Man now argues over words and phrases through the use of these mass produced study books. God is
much much simpler than that and this congealing to form doctrines is tantamount to
a cancerous growth on the body of Christ.
In about the fourth century, under Constantine, the Vatican texts of
the New and Old Testament were compiled.
Prior to the new Testament era, under king Hezekiah, the Old Testament
texts were assembled into one central location. Copies of these were painstakingly scribed and were sent to the Vatican as well. These texts were all housed
under one roof in the Vatican library for centuries, protected by armed guard, and it would be many more centuries before they were disseminated
globally as "The Bible". People were born, lived and
died without ever having access to this knowledge we now easily obtain.
The anthology
we call “The Holy Bible” went through many changes in it's history and, because of this, it is flawed and incomplete. No
matter which version you choose, none are perfect, all are flawed.
In the 70’s there were bumper
stickers all over that said, “I Found It!”
The meaning behind this statement was that this person found God. I get
what they mean, but this is simply not possible. We can find the beginning of
the path to God easy enough but, as humans, we can never quite fully understand
or find God. It is why we are programmed to continually seek. The most we can do is have
true faith and glory in our ignorance. We must accept we do not know much, can
prove very little, have no valid tools to construct any sort of structure and, through
faith, must accept that God can rescue us. That is it. The whole duty of man.
If one feels I do
not value the words of the Bible, I freely quote
from it. These words can be edifying if accepted for what they are. Incomplete words
that explain a complete God. Words can be bring peace, or they can be turned as weapons in a war over words.
This is the spiritual war we see today in the world. The complete truth is only
found by seeking God through the Spirit. It is a difficult concept and the Holy
Bible is a useful tool, but it is just that, a tool. Some will quote back to me
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Fine enough, but, when this letter was written to the Hebrew people, how many people had a “Holy Bible” sitting in their home? Nearly zero. So, the statement “the Word of God” is not referring to an anthology or manuscript manufactured from dead trees. It is a living word that can never be maintained on paper, written on the heart by the Spirit.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Those were words written to Timothy by Paul. Timothy likely
never read the letter written to the Hebrew people. Some
feel Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews but even that is unproven. There is adequate
theory it was actually written by a woman, possibly Priscilla, Junio or Phoebe. It may have been
written by Apollos, but we’ll never know for sure. What is for certain is Acts, Hebrews,
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and all of the other “accepted writings” we regard as
the “Word of God” were only universally shared and compiled for mass distribution about seven or eight hundred
years ago. It is wonderful to have easy access to all of these letters, but to build a doctrine on this evidence alone is flawed. God is much bigger than that. Tough pill to swallow, but it’s true. We must
seek out the weightier matters; Justice, Mercy and Faithfulness. Much study and false piety will not create these things and is wearying as Solomon discovered in his journey seeking knowledge.
“And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Book of Ecclesiastes
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