Comments on Progression of Faith: Is this Blasphemy?

Jonas, I am affirming the use of literary metaphor...

2007-05-11T08:24:42.890-05:00

Jonas,

I am affirming the use of literary metaphors, but I am criticizing the focus on literalization of that symbolism. We couldn't have any decent poetry without this technique. We certainly couldn't speak about God without it. Jesus used symbolic language (parables) to speak about God.

The best example I can give is George Orwell's book "Animal Farm". Does anybody think that book is really about animals? What would Mr. Orwell say the book is really about?

When these atheists rebuke God or the Holy Spirit what they are really rebuking is the literalization of metephorical language about God. If we Christians were more open and honest about our language then the Atheists wouldn't be on the attack because I feel certain they would agree with the underlying meanings. We created a battle that didn't need to exist by holding so tight to our language.

What is the Holy Spirt? Should we take that poetic story of Pentecost as a literal historical account or should we realize it is the poetic rememberence of how lives are changed and become vibrant once they accept Jesus' vision and take on his attitude, mission, and prioriies. Or if I want to speak symbolicly, I would say that these people embodied Jesus' spirit.

Jonas can you tell me what is "spirit"?

I am not sure what you mean with your attack on "t...

2007-05-11T06:20:27.906-05:00

I am not sure what you mean with your attack on "the supernatural" or on the literal reading of symbols. Could you explain. Two questions:

-To me it seems that is the linguistic division (dichotomy) between natural-supernatural that is the real problem. This kind of language is how people structure the world, and it forces people to divide themselves into natural-oriented (liberal christians or atheists for example) or super-natural-oriented (fundamentalists, charismatics). But this division is not in the Bible and it also might not exist for many people outside the western post-enlightement-context, so for christians it need not be a problem. We need to deconstruct this language and build something new. Or?

-And regarding symbols. It seems to me that you think that there is a more basic kind of reality or communication than "symbols". What would this be. An inner experience, free of words? Or words without symbols, explanations? We have to live our lives in and from some kind of picture-filled story, there is no way to get beyond this. The big question is, it seems to me, which story will lead us to a better kind of life.
/Jonas, Sweden

I understand where these folks are. It appears, as...

2007-05-10T20:14:46.077-05:00

I understand where these folks are. It appears, as Borg even stated, that the only "christianity" these folks see is that of fundamentalism. It took me years but to truely grasp the love and passion of the christian faith, I had to seperate myself from organized religion. Its then I started having a clue who Jesus was.

Looking at what I just wrote, I will not paint organized religion with the same brush. I have gained much from it, but I am sure you understand the heartache that comes with it.

Mike,Of course this is the same blather that we ge...

2007-05-10T12:44:01.352-05:00

Mike,

Of course this is the same blather that we get from Sam Harris who makes it an either or choice. Or on the other hand from that great defender of the Christian faith Kirk Cameron.

You're right, it really is a lack of education -- what Stephen Prothero speaks of in his book Religious literacy.

Thanks for the post.

I agree that there is a kind of either-or thinking...

2007-05-10T11:28:22.267-05:00

I agree that there is a kind of either-or thinking that limits the discussion. Fundamentalists believe that there is only one way to view Christianity--and atheists seem to have a lot in common when they basically say the same thing. But this is limiting and narrows the debate to the point where it is defined strictly on the fundamentalists' terms. There are many ways to view religion, not just the way the fundamentalists view it.