9. "But Scripture says ...."

9. “But Scripture says ….”

[7 March 2021]

In the pursuit of understanding, it is probably wise to reflect on the difference between Truth and Provable Truth. We know, of course, that Truth is always out there! There is an ultimate answer to everything - the mystery of the Mary Celeste, the Princes in the Tower, the existence of God and even Donald Trump’s tax affairs! Our daily life, however, places us in the much more limited field of Provable Truth - what evidence we can actually access!

For some, the pursuit of truth will begin and end with their Holy Scriptures, which they believe contain within them the full revelation of their God. In my journey I found it necessary to lay scriptures to one side for a season; whilst they may indeed contain Truth, nonetheless they did not fall (I emphasise, once again, for me on my personal journey) within the more limited category of Provable Truth.

To my understanding, the use of a Holy Scripture requires from us Four Levels of Faith:

1. That the God spoken of Exists 2. That the Writers were Inspired to write them, without fault 3. That what was written has remained Unaltered across millennia 4. That we can correctly Interpret them today

Some will be uncomfortable in acknowledging these steps, seeing their Holy Scriptures simply as being the ‘infallible Word of God’. What I have written here does NOT contradict this but I hope, however, we can all acknowledge that, even if 1, 2 and 3 were to be 100% correct, that fallibility always exists in Faith Level 4 - our ability to interpret the Holy Scriptures ‘correctly’. Here, at least, Humility - so often exalted as a virtue in those scriptures - demands that we always proceed with thoughtfulness and caution.

We have all heard (and partaken in) too many debates, often ending with a raised voice and final statements of “but scripture says…”! Perhaps we all need to reflect on the fact that what we are really saying, in those moments, is, “My ability to interpret scripture is superior to yours!”

With many contentious issues there are often other legitimate interpretations of those same scriptures, held by other sincere followers, and humility should always cause us to reflect. In reality when anyone speaks of God - since (if They exist) they are vastly more complex than our terms of expression can fully master - we are ALWAYS saying partial truth, or simplified interpretations of a much bigger entity.

I find it easier (and safer) to use the term ‘iGod’ (the individual human interpretation of God) at times, in order to ask some of the more difficult questions. For example: Just because iGod exists, does it actually matter? If iGod were to encourage – let’s say - genocide or slavery, would that make it okay? Can iGod be wrong? And can iGod change?

I would like to emphasise that, by introducing the concept of iGod and using it to refer to our human interpretation of God, this is not then to be seen as a judgement of God. If readers should infer any perceived judgement at all it is only of our human desire to be dogmatic about the character of God (that ‘Faith Level 4’ thing again).

Whilst much good is done in the name of God, we have to acknowledge that now - as is true throughout most of history - hideous things are being done in the name of God. We must, therefore, look at the parameters of the character of iGod: What is ‘okay’? What is not ‘okay’? How are we to curb the excesses of some religious practices in our modern times?

In my apologies, included below, I will repeat my pledge from January. To me, ultimately there is one law - one truth that not even an iGod could supersede: that Love (Compassion) is Good (Right) ALWAYS. Much of religious history - and most certainly still included in religious pronunciations today - does not reflect this value, and much damage and hurt is still being done in the name of God.

For me, therefore, on my journey, I had to take a closer look at the character of the ‘iGods’ available…

Bear with me! Jonathan x

Apologies

1. To my religious friends who may be offended by this style of discussion; there is genuinely no desire to offend here. If we believe that we have the Truth, then ‘fear of questioning’ is surely - logically - absurd?

2. To anyone offended by my use of the terms ‘genocide’ and ‘slavery’ so glibly, I apologise, but religion has historically been used to justify some (though by no means all) of these atrocities and I believe there is much to be learned from this.

My Pledge:

As a wearer of the label “Christian”, therefore, I simply wish to say of the hatred, hurt and division in this world:

“Not in My Name”

To me there is only one Law that matters - to Love our Neighbours as we would love ourselves.

And so I will choose to call you my brother, my sister, my black Christian brother, my White Muslim sister, my atheist brother, my Humanist sister, my gay Jewish brother, my bisexual sister, my straight white brother, my transgender Christian sister. I will not try and change you, I will not fight you, I will honour you, work with you, struggle through life with you, I will never be against you, if you commit to work with me, united, towards the triumph of Compassion and Love.