Reading the Bible - Part 3 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

In a previous blog, it was asked if we find reading the Bible boring or hard work? It was also pointed out that over these next few blogs, we will look at a few reasons why this might be so. Then we would look at some possible things to experiment with that might help in the area.

So, another reason we may use is that the Bible is an outdated morality. I agree that it can appear that way at times. There seem to be things recorded and condoned in the stories in Bible that, well, let’s just say we can struggle with in this day and age. One thing that may help here is that it needs to be remembered that the Bible recorded people from another era. That is, they more readily accepted the violence, blood and gore because of the day they lived in, as it was all around them. This may not make it right, but it was played out in their context and culture which was more violent than our own. This is especially true in the Old Testament, the following may help, https://www.seedbed.com/violence-in-the-old-testament-part-1/

There is even violence in the New Testament, where one might think that they knew better.  Such an example is found in chapter seven of the book of Acts. We read how the religious leaders of the day did not agree with what Stephen had said, so they killed him, Acts 7:54-60. They hurled grapefruit-sized rocks at him until he was dead. Now, these people would call themselves holy and righteous, and were defending their faith according to their sacred writings, Lev 24:13–16. Even Paul (Saul in Hebrew) was there as a consenting witness to this etc. but should this stop us reading the Bible?

In today’s way of seeing things, this is barbaric, and yes, I agree. But we need to be careful that we do not judge the past by today’s standards, but by the standard of the day in which the story was recorded. We can also learn from this kind of thing today, in that, we still throw stones, kill, and murder each other. But, now we tend to use our tongue (Jas 3:1-12), and even Facebook, and Twitter etc. We may not throw the rocks, but condone the throwing of them by our presence, silence or agreement. Yes, people might not physically die from this (unless they tragically commit suicide as a result), but the injured and walking dead are all around us. Maybe you are one of them or someone that has killed someone with your tongue, or Facebook etc.

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…