Evidence

So before I get started on my weekly, written offering, I want to clarify that I firmly believe in science, evidence, and data. While one may challenge an interpretation of data or evidence, the evidence and data are still observable, and held as factual. Science, and evidence based information is reasonably objective.

Now that that has been said, I can proceed.

I was sitting in the book store yesterday, waiting on something. As I sat at a table, a woman came and sat down with about half a dozen books. I noticed, because they were on the table, that these were “how to read the Bible” type books. One was even an “Idiot’s Guide to the Bible.” I found myself grinning, as I once found these types of books of interest. Even now, at least for the moment, there is a copy of an “Idiot’s Guide to Christianity” on my shelf. I also found myself wondering what she was looking for, and what she might find.

Maybe I could have offered her my ‘professional’ insight, or maybe I could have just been nosy. I don’t know. But I did have a moment of reflection. While the world around us is filled with facts, and truths, it is also filled with opinions. Opinions such as who is the best sports team, or what is the best color.

Being from Texas A&M, my favorite color is maroon. Now, I honestly can’t tell you if it is my favorite color because I like it, or because I see it through the lens of my education. Regardless of the reason, my favorite color is maroon, but that does not make it the objective, best color. This is a subjective opinion.

As much as it pains me, reading and studying the Bible, for the most part, is a subjective exercise that is subject to the lens in which we look through. And there are many lenses to use. One may study the Bible from a historical context, through the lens of literary criticism, a Jewish perspective, a Christian perspective and more just to name a few. Even as a Christian, there are denominational interpretations as well as the question of looking through the lens of Paul, or James, or any other writer or audience like the Jews or the Gentiles.

Personally, and professionally, I would suggest starting, and ending with the red words. These are, in many Bibles, the words of Jesus. One may, and should, if one proclaims to follow Jesus, evaluate and apply all of Scripture in light of what Jesus said. If, for example, one reads about God telling followers to kill other people, then one might remember that Jesus told his follower to put away the sword, that those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Thus, the killing of others should be avoided.

Our subjective opinions, which many think are universal facts, are shaded and influenced by our upbringing, our environment, our education, our family and friends, and other factors. But, nevertheless, they are opinions and subjective. While it is an observable fact that the world is not flat, despite the minority who thinks it is, it is not a fact that Dolly Parton is the greatest country singer ever. (Some might offer George Strait as a counter for example.)

I don’t know what lens that individual was looking through in trying to read and understand the Bible. I do know the lens I believe should be used; the lens of Jesus Christ. Of course, I think the lens of Jesus should be used in all of life. Hmmm, maybe Jesus liked the color maroon also.