Do We Read the Bible Like Lunatics???

[Poimen]

MacUser,

Though your point is well taken ... "rhmatoV qeou" means word of God. whereas "rhmatoV cristou" means word of Christ. So what you have here is a divergence between the majority and/or Byzantinian text and the Alexandrian text (and versions based on them respectively).

[beckrl]

Russell
I would agree when we read any scripture we should also consider it's context. The historial context if possible, and whom it relates too.

'egocentric hermeneutic' I believe even with the above we always try to find a way that scripture relates to us.
Yes, in some cases we miss the meaning of the context and whom it's relates too. but I take that as a growning process of learning. In error even as it maybe.

[Russell Roberts]

Beckrl,

I don't want people to misunderstand what I am saying. There is absolutely no doubt that what is written in scripture has major implications for us. But those implications are predicated on a proper understanding of the bible IN CONTEXT.

Few people would read Jesus' statement to the rich young ruler in an egocentric way. Otherwise people would go, sell all they have, and give it to the poor.

I wonder why people read Jesus' instructions to the Pharisee in Matthew 23:23 that way? Could someone be perpetuated an egocentric reading of that verse?

Makes you think.

If we understand the worldview of first century Judaism, we discover nuances to the text that we never would have heard before. When the disciples asked Jesus when the temple would be destroyed, was Jesus telling them what would happen thousands of years later? Honestly, that doesn't make much sense. What does make sense is that he told them that 'this generation' will not pass away until all this stuff happens. Surprise, surprise, it did.