[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Most Influential

On Sun, 10 Feb 2002, The Mattrix wrote:

> > > Book: has anyone said, um...The Holy Bible!?! Is that too boring an
> > > answer? I find that very telling, and VERY sad. Perhaps it is too 
> > > obvious?
> >
> > That may be the case.  It might be a little like you asking for a list
> > of things I consider essential to my life, and me replying,
> > "Breathing."
>
> Yeah, but if I asked an enviromentalist that question, given his or her 
> concerns regarding pollution, that answer would definitely be given.  Do
> you see where this is going...?

I guess.  But I do think the two books I mentioned would be impossible to
understand unless you are at least somewhat familiar with the Bible.  By
mentioning them, I was indirectly mentioning the Bible, as well.  It's
already a given, so I don't have to give it again, y'know?

> God bless you for that analogy, though.  I found it rather...lovely. :-)

:)

> Rather than debate these differences, I'd rather pose a question:  If
> the Bible transcends the category of mere "book" then how about Jesus?
> Would he also not be listed as among the most "influencial" in the
> people category by virtue of the fact that he was much, much more than a
> mere man?

Well, no.  Even if he is divine himself, that still doesn't mean that he
has been the biggest influence on any given person's life.

Quite frankly, I often think I am more directly influenced by Paul than by
Jesus, though I do think they were largely on the same page.  Paul tends
to write in terms that make sense to me, and he sometimes gets poetic in a
way that I find really moving, whereas Jesus is a more cryptic fellow, at
times.  Jesus is certainly a few steps further removed from us than Paul
is; where Paul wrote things in his native Greek, Jesus' teachings have
been passed on second-, third-, fourth-hand, and they have been translated
from Aramaic to Greek.  Consider also his many inscrutable parables.  Is
the "parable of the talents" meant to impress upon us the importance of
being obedient to the authorities in our church?  Or is it meant to stir
us to outrage over the usurious practices of the wealthy ruling class?  
Or is it about both?  Or is it about something entirely different?

For some reason, I am now reminded of how George W. Bush said "Christ"
when, during the primaries, he was asked which political philosopher had
influenced him the most.  Dubya never said *how* Jesus' philosophy had
influenced him -- all he said was that Jesus had "changed my heart".

> Conversely speaking, if I list Jesus as among the most influecial people
> in my life, or the Bible as among the most influencial books I've ever
> read, am I being a little unintetionally blasphemous or disrespectful of
> all that they entail?  Am I undervaluing them?

Not at all!  At least, *I* wouldn't say so.

--- Peter T. Chattaway --------------------------- peter at chattaway_com ---
 "I detected one misprint, but to torture you I will not tell you where."
      Winston Churchill to T.E. Lawrence, re Seven Pillars of Wisdom

---------------
Unsubscribe by going to http://www.actwin.com/OtR/
References: