Colossians 3:18-22
I shortened today's scripture passage to focus on this small section. I often speak of how scripture is taken out of context or mistranslated. We must always be careful with how we choose to read scripture. I suppose this is a reason why the Catholic church traditionally has frowned on the faithful reading the Bible. It was in stark contrast to other Christian denominations that seem to be able to quote Bible and verse for every occasion. Neither one is a good approach. The Catholic approach was to leave the translations to the experts, the clergy. As one trained in the seminary and who has studied scripture well, I know the nuances and science of how scripture should be studied. More importantly, how scripture should be translated and understood. To a regular reader of this blog, this concept is nothing new.
Here we have two snippets of information right out of scripture that beg for proper translation. The first concerns marital relations. It seems straight forward enough. The fact of the matter is that this one line of scripture has been used to promote and enforce the submission of women to their husbands for eons. I personally am aware of instances of battered wives and wives who have been essentially raped by their husbands based on this passage that says Wives, be subject to your husbands. How many women went to the church to plead for help when they were told to submit and told to ask forgiveness for being a bad wife? This abuse of scripture is shameful. The fact that the church allowed, nay, promoted this kind of abuse of scripture is one that is glossed over. I am sure that many a literalistic scripture reader in a conservative christian sect still use this passage to control women.
There is also a few lines here that speaks of slaves being obeying their masters. Are we to take this scripture as a sanctioning of slavery? It seems clear as a bell. This line of scripture was in fact used to condone slavery because "it's in the Bible". I think we know that this is wrong even though based on how long slavery lasted it might considered a fine tradition. We know slavery is anti-God. It demeans the value of our brothers and sisters no matter who they are or where they come from. The Spirit has guided us to the knowledge that slavery is evil, pure ans simple.
It is imperative that we read scripture intelligently. There are messages that God wishes to convey to us, eternal truths of love, dignity, and relationships between God and his wonderful creations. It is important however not play Bible bingo and take whatever message we want away. There is an abundance of good research out there. Study Bibles and the Internet can form a good basis for solid understanding. That doesn't mean you will come away with a definitive interpretation of a passage of scripture. I often say you can read the same passage of scripture and come away with two different messages depending on your age and where you are in life. The fact remains though, you cannot simply pluck out a line of scripture and come away with an on the spot meaning.
If we really want to know God, we must search scripture, study it and study the peoples that wrote it. Understanding and faith are key. Above all, a yearning to know our creator and loving God.
I shortened today's scripture passage to focus on this small section. I often speak of how scripture is taken out of context or mistranslated. We must always be careful with how we choose to read scripture. I suppose this is a reason why the Catholic church traditionally has frowned on the faithful reading the Bible. It was in stark contrast to other Christian denominations that seem to be able to quote Bible and verse for every occasion. Neither one is a good approach. The Catholic approach was to leave the translations to the experts, the clergy. As one trained in the seminary and who has studied scripture well, I know the nuances and science of how scripture should be studied. More importantly, how scripture should be translated and understood. To a regular reader of this blog, this concept is nothing new.
Here we have two snippets of information right out of scripture that beg for proper translation. The first concerns marital relations. It seems straight forward enough. The fact of the matter is that this one line of scripture has been used to promote and enforce the submission of women to their husbands for eons. I personally am aware of instances of battered wives and wives who have been essentially raped by their husbands based on this passage that says Wives, be subject to your husbands. How many women went to the church to plead for help when they were told to submit and told to ask forgiveness for being a bad wife? This abuse of scripture is shameful. The fact that the church allowed, nay, promoted this kind of abuse of scripture is one that is glossed over. I am sure that many a literalistic scripture reader in a conservative christian sect still use this passage to control women.
There is also a few lines here that speaks of slaves being obeying their masters. Are we to take this scripture as a sanctioning of slavery? It seems clear as a bell. This line of scripture was in fact used to condone slavery because "it's in the Bible". I think we know that this is wrong even though based on how long slavery lasted it might considered a fine tradition. We know slavery is anti-God. It demeans the value of our brothers and sisters no matter who they are or where they come from. The Spirit has guided us to the knowledge that slavery is evil, pure ans simple.
It is imperative that we read scripture intelligently. There are messages that God wishes to convey to us, eternal truths of love, dignity, and relationships between God and his wonderful creations. It is important however not play Bible bingo and take whatever message we want away. There is an abundance of good research out there. Study Bibles and the Internet can form a good basis for solid understanding. That doesn't mean you will come away with a definitive interpretation of a passage of scripture. I often say you can read the same passage of scripture and come away with two different messages depending on your age and where you are in life. The fact remains though, you cannot simply pluck out a line of scripture and come away with an on the spot meaning.
If we really want to know God, we must search scripture, study it and study the peoples that wrote it. Understanding and faith are key. Above all, a yearning to know our creator and loving God.
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment