We should maintain that if an interpretation of any word in any religion leads to disharmony and does not positively further the welfare of the many, then such an interpretation is to be regarded as wrong; that is, against the will of God, or as the working of Satan or Mara.

Buddhadasa Bikkhu, a Thai Buddhist Monk


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Against Biblical Literalism

If we are embarrassed by the humanity of the biblical writers, we are also probably embarrassed by the humanity of Jesus the Jew from Nazareth and by our own humanity.  Just as we are Docetists if we deny the full humanity of Jesus, so we are Docetists in our doctrine and interpretation of Scripture if we claim that the biblical witnesses were mere automations under the control of the Spirit of God.  If we affirm the full humanity of Jesus, we will also respect the humanity of the biblical witness.
Daniel L. Migliore,
Faith Seeking Understanding (2nd ed., 2004), 54

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