First Impressions

Before I begin this post, I feel I must reiterate my disclaimer that I have posted in some of the previous posts. I encourage others to provide their recommendations, thoughts and point of view regarding the topic of this post as long as it is constructive. I really enjoy intellectual debates and tips on additional resources I can tap into to learn more. If, however, a reader feels that they must provide comments that resort to name calling, attempt to demean, or deliver judgment, it will be soundly ignored. Whether I am right or wrong in my beliefs, only the Lord has the power to deliver judgment. With that being said, I will begin...


So, I have started to read the Bible now and I am a number of books into it, having just completed Samuel I. I figured that before I read any religion books that provide insight into Christianity, I should read the word straight from the horse's mouth first, so to speak.


So far, the Bible is not exactly what I expected and it is creating more questions than answers so far. Don't get me wrong, there are some great ideas in there. There are commandments and decrees peppered throughout the books that make complete sense to follow. Thou shall not murder, commit adultery, etc. I was surprised, and rather enlightened to find the foundations that I see in the modern legal system today as well as interesting tidbits like woman owning land, which I am sure was extremely controversial at the time. I understand why it is sometimes called the "Good Book" and is a recommended read even for non-Judeo Christians.

But there are also some rather unusual mandates and laws. Here are just a few:

• A rebellious son should be presented to the town elders and then stoned to death. (Deut 22:18)


• If there are 2 brothers and one brother dies, the other brother must marry his widow to carry on his family name.
  


• No interest should be charged if loans are made to fellow Israelites (Exo 22:25 Although, I am all for this one if I am a descendant of an Israelite)


• If a man beats his slave with a club and the slave dies, the man must be punished. However, if the slave recovers in a day or two, the man should not be punished since the slave is his property. (Exo. 21:20-21)


• The overall treatment of slaves (Exo. 21:1-11)


• After a woman has her menstrual period or has given birth, she is ceremonial unclean and cannot enter the sanctuary to worship (Lev. 12). In the event of a birth, the duration of "uncleanliness" differs if the offspring is a male versus female. The woman is required to give a burnt offering to be clean. Anyone who touches her before that will be unclean.
  


• Purification after a skin disease sin offering and guilt offering (Lev. 14)


• If a man has an emission of semen, bathe in water and unclean until evening (Lev. 15: 16)


• Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beard


• The sabbath should always be honored.
  

Now, I have not gotten to the new testament so there very well maybe some explanations why some of these decrees are no longer followed, but barring that, I find it very difficult to understand how some folks can point to certain passages in the bible as testament on how one should act and live ones life but completely ignore some of the other "unusual" decrees that we no longer follow. How was it determined which passages are still valid and which can be retired? I suppose this is the cause for the enumeration of denominations of Christianity, which leads me to wonder whether there really is a "correct" denomination? Is there a single truth, or is the truth a hodge podge of ideas across denominations (and perhaps across distinct religions)?

Now, the Bible I selected is a study Bible and also contains some archaeological and historical background (Good!) as well as biblical interpretation of the text. I must admit that I am even having a hard time with reading that as well because I find a number of the interpretations a bit of a stretch, inconsistently applied, and/or "complete head scratchers".

Again, I still have a lot more to read, but there are also some rules and decrees I expected to see in the Bible haven't come to fruition yet (not to say that they are socially acceptable, however):

• No drinking alcoholic beverages
• No premarital sex (although if you do, you have to marry her and pay her father)
• No dancing (in fact David danced in Samuel II and defended the practice to his first wife)
• No living with the opposite sex
  

I have a feeling that this Bible study is going to require a lot more time and a lot more material to review before I really get a clear picture.

More to follow in the coming weeks!