THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504010031
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Issues of Faith
SOURCE: Betsy Wright
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
A FEW YEARS AGO, I wrote about a hot topic and irked a co-worker. After debating the issue and coming to no compromise, the fellow decided to trump me by saying I would be judged by God for my stance and that I had a responsibility to tell the people ``the truth.''
``Don't you see,'' he pleaded, ``it comes down to `what does God say about this issue.' ''
``Don't you see,'' I responded, ``it's not `what does God say about this issue.' It is: `Who says what it is that God says about this issue.' ''
He later confided that those words got him to thinking.
What happens when what you believe God is saying in Scripture conflicts with what someone else believes God is saying in Scripture? That's a question as old as Scripture itself.
It is a question, I believe, that goes to the very heart of all bickering, hate and fear between all people of faith.
Since starting this column four years ago, I've done quite a bit of research into how humans interpret Scripture. I don't have a seminary education, however, and have mostly been put off by the heavy-handed intellectual tone of books on theology and Scripture interpretation. I could get into high-sounding concepts like exegesis and hermeneutics, but the words alone would cloud the discussion. Instead I'll talk about it from a layman's point of view.
Basically there are two main ways to interpret Scripture: literally and critically. Literal interpretation means taking the words at face value. It's the idea that ``the words say this, so this is exactly what they mean.''
Critical interpretation means understanding the words on a deeper level. Mind you, it doesn't mean ``critical'' as in judging something adversely. It means judging, or interpreting, the Scripture by a number of criteria. What did the words mean to the culture for whom it was written at the time in history it was written? What was the agenda of the human author of the Scripture? What was the original meaning of the original words in their original language? What does this particular part of Scripture mean when looked at in context?
Every human interprets Scripture by both means. All humans choose to interpret some things literally and other things critically.
The bickering comes when one human chooses to interpret something literally and another chooses to interpret it critically, or when two people use different sources to lead them to their differing critical interpretation. Either way, when the bickering begins, we humans usually try to trump each other by saying, ``Thus saith the Lord.''
As a personal ethic, I try never to use that phrase. I am not God, and though I speak to God, I do not speak for God. That's why I often use the preface, ``I believe.''
It should also be evident by some of the things I write in this column that I rely heavily on critical interpretation when I read Scripture.
One reader recently told me to set aside my many commentaries and begin reading the plain language of my Bible. That to me would be like laying aside my brain. I simply cannot do that.
Does this mean I never read Scripture literally? Of course not. These are the things I believe literally. (Note: Since I am a Christian, all have been taken from the Christian Testament).
God loves us. (I John 4:4)
Because of this love, God calls us to relationship, both with God and with each other. (I John 4:7-21)
God wants us to have peace (Gospel of John 14:27) and joy (Gospel of John 15:11).
God commands two things of us: (a) Love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and (b) Love your neighbor as yourself. (Gospel of Matthew 22:36-40).
Other than those ``truths,'' I pretty much believe that everything else is up for grabs. Debate. Open discussion.
If you think you've got all the answers, more power to you. But as for me, I'm not sure I've got all the questions, much less all the answers. And that humbly reminds me of the greatest truth of all:
God is God, and I'm not.
But then, neither are you.
P.S. I'm still getting angry letters about my homosexuality column. After reading today's column, if there's anyone who still wants to understand my position on homosexuality, send me a self-addressed stamped envelope. I will send you a reading list of books and articles that helped me reach that decision. It might not change what you believe, but at least you'll know where I'm coming from.
If you do not, however, want to consider any other belief but your own, then we will simply have to agree to disagree. You pray for me and I'll pray for you. I trust that one day God will clue us in on the right answer. MEMO: Every other week, Betsy Mathews Wright publishes responses to her
opinion column. Send responses to Issues of Faith, The Virginian-Pilot,
150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510; call (804) 446-2273; FAX
(804) 436-2798; or send e-mail to bmw(AT)infi.net. Deadline is Tuesday
before publication. You must include name, city and phone number.
by CNB