Let me just say that I love the Old Testament. There are so many challenges in it for us complacent modern Christians. The joy of having been a staunch agnostic is that I have always thought the Bible was full of craziness, so its craziness doesn't challenge my belief. I believe in God despite the Bible, rather than because of the Bible-and I mean your standard King James, New Standard Revised Version, or New International Version of Bible, just to clarify.
Sometimes, I feel a bit sorry for those I know have always been Christians and whose belief systems are founded in the Scripture and Tradition of their childhood. They often seem to have the difficult task of trying to make the "God They Know," fit the description of the "God They Were Taught." Because I spent a great deal of my youth daring God to strike me dead with bolts of lightening, I don't really fear to challenge the ideas and images of Christianity. If Christ proves false, Christ is not the Christ. If God proves Not God, then I have nothing to fear.
I know God, but I do not understand God. I know Christ, but I do not understand the Christ. I find the Bible, religious discourse, church activity, and active participation in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, sacrifice and self-control strengthen my relationship with God and the Christ.
Nevertheless, when I confront Bible verses that claim exposing a woman to gang-rape, bodily mutilation and incitement to war are correct actions [Judges 19-20], I don't have to hold on to the "inerrancy" of the Bible. I can require that the Bible prove itself to me. I can require that the Bible prove itself worthy of God, and if it doesn't, I know which of the two has my vote.
Anyway, just some thoughts I have this Monday morning
Yours in Peace and Joy,
Cobalt Dreams
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