Is the Bible One Continuous Narrative?
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Solution
BetteTheRed
Resident Heretic
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I disagree. I see the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament as not necessarily related sacred texts, except by the fact that the hero of the latter was a member of the former.
Mendalla
Happy headbanging ape!!
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Historically, it is a collection of texts spanning maybe a thousand years depending on the dating you use for some of the Jewish texts. Some books are even compilations themselves meaning you have a compilation containing other compilations. Also, some are clearly recorded oral traditions, while others seem to have been written ones from the start.
So any ongoing narrative is a projection by those reading it, not intentional by the authors. That's if you read it from the lens of history. Obviously, from a Jewish or Christian faith lens, that changes, but that is then a matter of faith and subjective interpretation and not supported by historical scholarship.
I also have very big problems with the notion of the Christian scriptures somehow explaining or fulfilling the Jewish ones given how that has been used time and again to promote anti-Semitism within Christianity. Jews are not wrong in how they interpret their scriptures, they are quite within rights to reject the Christian "fulfillment" interpretation, and the New Testament, at most, expands on the Jewish scriptures rather than replacing them. The two traditions can exist side by side if people let them.
So any ongoing narrative is a projection by those reading it, not intentional by the authors. That's if you read it from the lens of history. Obviously, from a Jewish or Christian faith lens, that changes, but that is then a matter of faith and subjective interpretation and not supported by historical scholarship.
I also have very big problems with the notion of the Christian scriptures somehow explaining or fulfilling the Jewish ones given how that has been used time and again to promote anti-Semitism within Christianity. Jews are not wrong in how they interpret their scriptures, they are quite within rights to reject the Christian "fulfillment" interpretation, and the New Testament, at most, expands on the Jewish scriptures rather than replacing them. The two traditions can exist side by side if people let them.
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Jaebius
Canadian in Korea
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Grasp that the relationship between the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament can be seen in different ways. While I hold to my point of view, I do also respect that you see these texts as distinct. The Hebrew Scriptures are rich with wisdom, while the New Testament focuses on Jesus' life. Both are essential to Christian faith and offer deep insights into God’s character
Jaebius
Canadian in Korea
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You raise important points about the compilation of the texts, Mendalla, and the different ways they can be interpreted. You're right that the Bible's a collection of writings, a library we used to say way back in Sunday School, with diverse origins. This does lead to various interpretations.
Many of us Christians believe that there's a unified story that runs through both Testaments. Our belief's rooted in the thinking that God's plan for humanity is made progressively known through the Bible's texts, leading up to Christ's life and work.
Regarding the relationship between the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, oh, I absolutely agree that it's crucial to approach this topic with respect. The Jewish interpretation of their Scriptures is meaningful to them. We Christians must never use our grasp of fulfillment in Christ to disrespect Jewish beliefs. Both traditions have their own integrity
Remember, thoughit is precisely JEWISH Christians using contemporary JEWISH methods of biblical interpretation who are responsible for finding Christ as the prophetic fulfiillment of the OT.
BetteTheRed
Resident Heretic
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Jewish Christians? Like unsafe and Jae? Huh?
Jaebius
Canadian in Korea
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You're right, Mystic, many Jewish Christians have done that. Their approach reflects a rich tradition of interpretation. It grasps how the Old Testament's promises are realised in Christ's life and work.
This point of view's rooted in the Jewish context of the early Christian community. They saw Jesus as the Messiah foretold by the prophets. They articulated their faith in a way that resonated with their Jewish heritage
No, like the Gospel authors, Paul, the author of Hebrews, John the Seer, etc.
Aufscherin
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It's all borrowed stories from the Egyptian, Sumerian, Babylonian., and Canaanite texts that were written before the Hebrew texts.The story of Genesis, the story of the great flood etc. Even the idea of a monolitic God was stolen from others, ( Pharoah Akhenaton) hardly anything at all in the old testsment is original.
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WhyCzar
Connect The Dots
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Why did the Bible become a book at all?
Scholars agree that early Israel was an oral society of pastoralism and subsistence farming. So how and why did such a pastoral-agrarian society come to write down and give authority to the written word? How and why did writing spread from the closed circles of royal and priestly scribes to the lay classes? It was this spread of Hebrew writing in ancient Palestine that democratized the written word and allowed it to gain religious authority in the book we now call "the Bible."
When the Bible became a book, the written word supplanted the living voice of the teacher. Ancient Israelite society was textualized. This textualization marked one of the great turning points in human history, namely the movement from an oral culture towards a written culture.
In ancient Palestine, writing was a restricted and expensive technology. Writing was controlled by the government and manipulated by the priests. Writing was seen as a gift from the gods. It was not used to canonize religious practice, but rather to engender religious awe. Writing was magical. It was powerful. It was the guarded knowledge of political and religious elites.
With the rise of the Assyrian Empire, ancient Palestine became more urban, and writing became critical to the increasingly complex economy. Writing was important to the bureaucracy of Jerusalem. It also continued to serve as an ideological tool projecting the power of kings. At the end of the eighth century in both Mesopotamia and Egypt, rulers were collecting the ancient books, and ancient Judeans followed their model—collecting the traditions, stories, and laws of their ancestors into written manuscripts.
www.pbs.org
Scholars agree that early Israel was an oral society of pastoralism and subsistence farming. So how and why did such a pastoral-agrarian society come to write down and give authority to the written word? How and why did writing spread from the closed circles of royal and priestly scribes to the lay classes? It was this spread of Hebrew writing in ancient Palestine that democratized the written word and allowed it to gain religious authority in the book we now call "the Bible."
When the Bible became a book, the written word supplanted the living voice of the teacher. Ancient Israelite society was textualized. This textualization marked one of the great turning points in human history, namely the movement from an oral culture towards a written culture.
In ancient Palestine, writing was a restricted and expensive technology. Writing was controlled by the government and manipulated by the priests. Writing was seen as a gift from the gods. It was not used to canonize religious practice, but rather to engender religious awe. Writing was magical. It was powerful. It was the guarded knowledge of political and religious elites.
With the rise of the Assyrian Empire, ancient Palestine became more urban, and writing became critical to the increasingly complex economy. Writing was important to the bureaucracy of Jerusalem. It also continued to serve as an ideological tool projecting the power of kings. At the end of the eighth century in both Mesopotamia and Egypt, rulers were collecting the ancient books, and ancient Judeans followed their model—collecting the traditions, stories, and laws of their ancestors into written manuscripts.
Origins of the Written Bible
William Schniedewind charts the rise of literacy in the Israelite world, making Holy Scripture possible.
www.pbs.org
Solution
Pavlos Maros
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Whether its the jewish old testament or the christian new testament, the bible is not a unified story but a collection of writings from different times, places and countries. It compilation of stories and ideas are drawn from earlier tales, existing myths, and historical accounts. Its varied genres and multiple authors present conflicting perspectives, which challenges the idea of it being an original, seamless narrative.
(Any "?" found in this reply are purely rhetorical.)
Jaebius
Canadian in Korea
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The advent of writing brought about a big change. Writing allowed for the keeping of God's word in a permanent form, ensuring that his teachings would be passed down accurately through the ages.Why did the Bible become a book at all?
Scholars agree that early Israel was an oral society of pastoralism and subsistence farming. So how and why did such a pastoral-agrarian society come to write down and give authority to the written word? How and why did writing spread from the closed circles of royal and priestly scribes to the lay classes? It was this spread of Hebrew writing in ancient Palestine that democratized the written word and allowed it to gain religious authority in the book we now call "the Bible."
When the Bible became a book, the written word supplanted the living voice of the teacher. Ancient Israelite society was textualized. This textualization marked one of the great turning points in human history, namely the movement from an oral culture towards a written culture.
In ancient Palestine, writing was a restricted and expensive technology. Writing was controlled by the government and manipulated by the priests. Writing was seen as a gift from the gods. It was not used to canonize religious practice, but rather to engender religious awe. Writing was magical. It was powerful. It was the guarded knowledge of political and religious elites.
With the rise of the Assyrian Empire, ancient Palestine became more urban, and writing became critical to the increasingly complex economy. Writing was important to the bureaucracy of Jerusalem. It also continued to serve as an ideological tool projecting the power of kings. At the end of the eighth century in both Mesopotamia and Egypt, rulers were collecting the ancient books, and ancient Judeans followed their model—collecting the traditions, stories, and laws of their ancestors into written manuscripts.
Origins of the Written Bible
William Schniedewind charts the rise of literacy in the Israelite world, making Holy Scripture possible.
The spread of writing from the elite to the broader lay community let more people engage with the Scriptures directly, fostering a friendship with God. This democratization of the written word is a testament to God's desire for all His people to know Him and His will.
In our modern context, we continue to see the importance of both the written and spoken word in our faith communities. While we cherish the Bible as the written word of God, we also recognize the power of preaching, teaching, and personal testimony in bringing these words to life. The written scriptures provide a foundation, but it is through our living witness and communal worship that we truly experience the fullness of God's revelation.
As we reflect on the historical development of the Bible, let us be reminded of the incredible gift we have in the scriptures. They are not just ancient texts but living words that continue to speak to us today. Let us approach them with reverence and gratitude, seeking to understand and live out their teachings in our daily lives.
May we also be inspired to share God's word with others, both through our words and our actions, so that His message of love and salvation may reach all corners of the world
The Bible’s varied human authors and genres highlight the Christian faith. They remind us Christians that we're part of a larger story, one that spans ages and cultures. Each book contributes to the single grand narrative of God’s rescue plan for humanity
Pavlos Maros
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However, this diversity raises questions about the bible's consistency and reliability, challenging the idea of a unified grand narrative.
The bible was written and edited over several millennium by hundreds of different authors, introducing potential biases and alterations that can affect its message.
Also, the existence of numerous biblical versions and translations creates diversity within its writings, impacting the clarity of this supposed rescue plan.
Oh! lets not forget, the various christian denominations and their traditions interpreting the bible in many different ways, leading to multiple versions of your grand narrative, suggesting that the bible’s so called message may not be as singular or unified as you may think it appears.
(Any "?" found in this reply are purely rhetorical.)
Thus human and human-ism are both jerked out of a rough way of life by the very force that initiated them ... Judean punch in a knock off situation.
If you read into some of these myths vicious trends in humanity are revealed because of their freedom to d anything they will without consequence ... and then nemesis! The d nt believe in nemesis cause she is not part of the immediate present ... these folk stand hard on the instant they believe they are the winners ... and they see, feel, hear nothing else! Such sense departs ... you can see it go in some subjects ... 1st persons ...
There are others even beyond the 4th coming although many are stuck on the 3rd as objective ... they cannot see the object of the myth as a pall line on the horizon ... Eyre pollutants of Rome ... milieu? The rackets in a war mongering nation! Yet, that's business ...
Romans hated words also ... they made up so many of them that the real world couldn't deal with Latin ... it stood by itself as too complex for the seize and desist mode --- a grip ah? The hard hand over a mostly empty spot ... Jor Dan? Your Dan also as beguiling is nothing but guile as a flirt ... coquette?
Some run off dripping with fear, or flight ... gotta love watching the gam' from out side ... an OBI is a scene!