Reality continuum

Submitted by RevGrant on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 13:41.

One or two people have pointed out that I am perhaps overly concerned with the difference between Greek and Hebrew thinking, particularly as it relates to our understanding of the Bible. I cannot escape the idea, however, that I have been schooled to think about life and reality primarily from a Greek frame of reference with its particular approach to the divide between the spiritual and the material. This affects our view of God, the spiritual world, and what it means to live as spiritual Christians. As a Christ-follower, I find embracing a Lord and following a book that both have Hebrew mindsets as their frame of reference. As such, the Bible does not view the divide between spiritual and material in quite the same way as we do. I have often heard it said that the spiritual world is more real than the natural world; but this statement is Greek in origin. Reality consists of both the spiritual and the material, with more of a continuum than a gaping chasm between the two. If we fully embraced this, our spirituality might become less "spooky" and more useful in making a real difference in the world!

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Comments

Reality Continuum

Submitted by leemiles on Sat, 08/01/2009 - 16:31.

RevGrant, you are correct when you point out the difference between Greek and Hebrew thinking. John Shelby Spong wrote - "I am convinced that if the Bible is going to be understood in our day, we must develop "Hebrew eyes" and "Hebrew attitudes" toward life. The Bible is a Hebrew book, telling the story of the Hebrew people. Jesus was a Hebrew Lord. We, on the other hand, are Western people sharing a very diverse and sometimes controversial heritage that comes from many sources."

It is refreshing to find a pastor that is not chained to the fundamental mindset that has brainwashed many people in the church today. It is about time that more churches start adopting doctrines from the so called 'liberal scholars' like Spong and NT Wright. If we are going to change the world, the church will have to relook at how we view 'heaven' and 'hell' and not concren ourselves with endless dialogue of terms like 'justification', 'atonement and propitiatory sacrifice.
Lee Miles

Reality Continuum

Submitted by RevGrant on Sun, 08/02/2009 - 17:42.

Thanks for the encouragement Lee! I confess that Spong has become a little too liberal for my palate. Jesus for the Non-Religious left me asking if he in fact believes anything that can be termed 'Christian.' Wright I like. Says more about me than them I guess. Having said that, I do think we need a serious re-think of what we present to the world. Most importantly, how we live more than just what we say we believe.