In this third and final part of my exploration of The Bible, I wanted to share some of the perspective and insights I've gleaned from reading The Bible my own way. Here goes...
So What Exactly Is The Bible (In My Own Words)?
The Bible is essentially an ancient mythological account of the cause of, and the cure to, the difficulties of human existence. By difficulties, I mean those four existential concerns that we humans all struggle with; death, meaninglessness, isolation, and freedom. And while the Bible may use slightly different verbiage - original sin, the fall of man, the cross we must bear - the message is essentially the same. It’s not easy being human. As for the answer to our pain, The Bible is very clear in stating that it is to be found in Jesus. But what exactly does that mean? Well, when taken literally, it means that if I accept Jesus, the magical son of a man with a beard from another dimension, as my Lord and Savior, I will be rewarded with eternal life in a land of clouds and butterflies, where I can forever listen to my grandfather’s war stories and eat my Aunt Jane’s fruit cake. Let me say that again. Forever. The Bible's answer for my existential concerns, when read literally, is that I need not worry about them because there is another reality where my existential concerns will all come to an end. Unfortunately for me, I would need to believe in the literal truth of The Bible for this answer to assuage my earthly concerns. So what’s a skeptic to do? Well, as I’ve discovered over the past few weeks, The Bible’s mythology, when read as a metaphor for life in this reality (rather than a literal, inter-dimensional battle between good and evil), actually has quite a bit to offer me in my path through this life. Here’s my guide to reading The Bible as metaphor...
I. Creation (or The Days Before Us Humans):
This one’s pretty obvious. Those seven days? Right. Not really seven days, but a metaphor for a really long time. No reason why I can't read me some Genesis on Sunday morning and still keep up with current evidence that supports things like evolution, the big bang, and dinosaurs.
II. The Garden of Eden (or The Dawn of Human Suffering):
To me, the story of the Garden of Eden is essentially the story of the dawn of human consciousness. The tasting of the fruit from the tree of knowledge represents the moment in human evolution when we developed our consciousness. The expulsion from The Garden, meanwhile, represents the fact that our development of consciousness pretty decisively separated us from the rest of the animal kingdom, and nature in general. The depiction of our consciousness as “original sin,” (a negative thing) is an interesting perspective and one I sympathize with. It is, after all, our consciousness that causes us to suffer from existential concerns. It's what gives us our ability to reflect on our behavior, and feel guilt and shame for our actions. So yeah, it makes sense that the Old Testament depicts our human condition in such a negative light. This disparaging view of humanity changes, however, with the arrival of a new kid on the block in the New Testament.
III. J.C. On The Scene (or An Answer to Human Suffering):
While the answer to our suffering from an Old Testament perspective largely involves punishing ourselves for our sinful nature, the arrival of J.C. brought about a different vibe. J.C. noted that while human beings, with our fancy conscious brains, do at times seem fated to suffer and to cause harm, there is another, more positive side to being human. He noted for example, our ability to love, to empathize, to help others, and to show compassion. Practicing these positive attributes of our humanity, according to Jesus, was the path to knowing “God.” And here’s where I have found it immensely helpful to read the words of Jesus as metaphor. To know “God,” does not have to involve knowing a man in the sky, nor does reaching “the kingdom of heaven,” have to refer to another reality. Metaphorically speaking, knowing “God” and reaching “Heaven” are just others ways of describing a change in consciousness here in this reality. Through following his path, Jesus believed we humans could actually live at a heightened state of being, one where the suffering of our existential concerns was no longer important. As for how to reach this higher level of consciousness and escape our suffering, J.C. had some very specific advice...
-Matthew 19:23-241. Avoid Attachment: J.C. believed that when we become consumed by greed, self-interest, and materialism, we lose touch with our good nature, and we create our own private hell.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
-Matthew 16: 26
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
-Luke 12:15
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
-John 2:15
2. Live for Others: J.C. also felt that a life of service was an essential step towards achieving a higher consciousness.
2. Live for Others: J.C. also felt that a life of service was an essential step towards achieving a higher consciousness.
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
-Matthew 5:42
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
-Luke 14:13-143. Forgive Others: Another pattern that binds us to our earthly suffering is holding onto hatred, jealousy, and resentment. Jesus was clear in stating that we should forgive all who do us harm.
If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.
-Luke 17: 3,4
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
-Colossians 3:13
You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?
-Matthew 5:43-47
4. Love: I would say that this one word basically captures the teachings of Jesus better than any other. Love is an outward, transcendent way of experiencing life. It's a way of living in which one is humble, doesn't judge, is peaceful, focused on the moment, is joyful, and sees the world clearly. In this sense, Love is similar to the Buddhist idea of Enlightenment. It's a state of higher consciousness, where the existential concerns of human consciousness no longer impact one in devastating ways. It provides one with meaning, guidance, and peace.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
-John 4:7-8
Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
-1 John 3:18
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
-Luke 6:45
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
-1 Peter 2: 1-3
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
-Matthew 5:13-16
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
-Matthew 7:12
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
-John 8:7
5. Follow Your Bliss: Let's face it. Jesus was a non-conformist. And the following passage is emblematic of that spirit. In finding our way through life, we shouldn't simply choose from the pre-existing options, but rather, look inward and learn about our own unique selves. From there, we can then create the lives we are each meant to live.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Romans 12:2
Okay. Well that about sums up my current thinking on The Bible. I've really enjoyed this process of making peace with, and finding personal meaning in, this text that is so intertwined with my heritage and culture. Coming up next, I'll be talking about some of my favorite Christian works of art.
Okay. Well that about sums up my current thinking on The Bible. I've really enjoyed this process of making peace with, and finding personal meaning in, this text that is so intertwined with my heritage and culture. Coming up next, I'll be talking about some of my favorite Christian works of art.
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