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Religion

DetlefK

(16,480 posts)

29. Not even people studying theology are biblical literalists.

Reply to Major Nikon (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 04:28 AM

Mar 2019

I spoke with two people who studied theology. Studying theology means not only reading religious texts, but also analyzing them as a work of literature, analyzing them from various philosophical view-points, it means learning ancient history, ancient languages, archaeology, to understand what the author actually meant.

For example, when the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert or when Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, it doesn't literally mean 40. To the Israelites, "40" was a figure of speech for "a lot", just like we nowadays say "dozen".

I was told that those who were religious firebrands and started studying theology, they dropped out first. They just couldn't handle it to see their beliefs chipped away.

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Is biblical literalism a requirement to be a real Christian? [View all] Major Nikon Mar 2019 OP

Seems to depend on sect, translation and safeinOhio Mar 2019 #1

It's really just an indicator of how narrow the mind is Major Nikon Mar 2019 #3

It varies, but some literalism is certainly necessary for belief. MineralMan Mar 2019 #2

Most dictionary definitions of christian is just one who follows the teachings of Christ Major Nikon Mar 2019 #4

Well, I always accept someone's own status if they say they are a Christian. MineralMan Mar 2019 #6

That's the safest approach Major Nikon Mar 2019 #7

Out of curiosity, of course, I often ask for details of what one believes. MineralMan Mar 2019 #9

An overly broad question. guillaumeb Mar 2019 #12

No, it is not. It is just a question. MineralMan Mar 2019 #15

I have in fact answered some specific questions about specific verses or stories. guillaumeb Mar 2019 #17

Whatever, Monsieur B. Whatever. MineralMan Mar 2019 #19

It is an answer. guillaumeb Mar 2019 #23

Near as I can tell, he believes in an original quantum fluctuation marylandblue Mar 2019 #26

Only for the Non-Metaphorical parts of the text. (NT) NeoGreen Mar 2019 #5

No handmade34 Mar 2019 #8

Well, that's true. I have met working Christian ministers who admit they are atheists. MineralMan Mar 2019 #10

Many, if not most churches require some sort of seminary education for their ministers Major Nikon Mar 2019 #11

I'm sure I've told this story before in this group: MineralMan Mar 2019 #18

My dad was a Unitarian minister Major Nikon Mar 2019 #20

Well, I was just filling in for my friend. MineralMan Mar 2019 #22

I've heard this before Lordquinton Mar 2019 #24

Good question. It's a job, I guess. MineralMan Mar 2019 #25

Kinda takes the mystique out of the whole thing Lordquinton Mar 2019 #28

It probably depends on the individual. MineralMan Mar 2019 #32

The Clergy Project... NeoGreen Mar 2019 #31

That's a very interesting website - particularly the individual stories. MineralMan Mar 2019 #33

My pleasure... NeoGreen Mar 2019 #35

Yeah, kind of funny the person who insists no one can define someone else's religion or beliefs... trotsky Mar 2019 #13

He's not the only one Major Nikon Mar 2019 #21

"a theist" or "atheist"-what a difference a space makes n/t delisen Mar 2019 #14

"real Christian" edhopper Mar 2019 #16

In classical Christian hermeneutics Loki Liesmith Mar 2019 #27

If you are going there, 'literalism' Voltaire2 Mar 2019 #30

Not even people studying theology are biblical literalists. DetlefK Mar 2019 #29

I think it depends on what kind of theologian they are Major Nikon Mar 2019 #34