I guess it depends on the reader and the frame and lenses with all the experiences that one comes up with or is exposed to over the course of time. One thing for certain, I am grateful that the Doug of six years old, eleven, eighteen, twenty-six, forty and even more today has not been stuck into an exact way of seeing, reading and interpreting this amazing work of texts.
Is it a sacred text? Yes, of course, as are many books. This compilation or anthology by the many various inspired writers have brought their current state of consciousness, environment and life experiences to date to the text (and even then it has been interpreted, edited and re-written more) But, let's not forget the various interpretations that have been edited and mulled over and the times and circumstances in which they were passed down, reviewed and used to "inspire" or "provoke" a way of thinking to the readers of each particular time and agenda.
We too, are doing this work and study now. It provides us a way to not be closed to a literal text, yet open to view the words and appreciate how they may have been for the authors, and how we can apply and use them in our lives today.
A good book? Absolutely! It is filled with an amazing amount of richness and thought. In our work in this session, I feel that we have so much ground to cover and also carefully remember that our view is our view and not to lead others by saying "What they meant or Jesus meant to say..." rather "here's what I noticed, here's what showed up for me"or "here's a way in which to take the text and look a little further for yourself." This is key as our purpose becomes a way to continue to invite people to open their thoughts and go on a path of their own discovery and find the meaning for their life.
Perhaps my own work and journal may be dissected, reviewed and study one day to expand conscious awareness and the times we live (at least my view) today.
Yes! Learning about how the Bible was put together has only increased my level of appreciation and reverence for this magnificent piece of sacred literature. It is sacred in that, if we truly believe that God expresses from within, the collective work of people over generations have expressed God.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to me how much wisdom can be derived through the interpretation of this and other ancient texts and how unquantifiable this wisdom is. Indeed, in the expression of who we are (as in our individual journals) and what our story is, we are consciousness expanding, God expressing.
I appreciate how you have placed the reminder to constantly voice one's interpretation of this great text as just that: one's own interpretation. Not only do I think this is important for our current studies and conversations, but perhaps even moreso as we stand on the platform and deliver a Sunday lesson. The simple clause at the beginning of a sentence such as "Here is the meaning I derived from this passage" can speak volumes to a congregation. It opens people to the fact that the too can derive their own fresh realizations from this ancient work. I appreciate your comments about this.
ReplyDeleteAs you mention, the sheer number of times that the Bible has been edited, compiled, re-edited, and re-compiled is mind-boggling, and due to this very fact, it needs to be interpreted with a disclamer at the from of ever interpretation. It is a joy to see that we are entering this age of humility more and more, and not just in Unity. This consciousness is expanding and we are a part of that.