I view the Bible as a sacred text, something that informs my understanding of the Divine but does not complete it. Everyone reading the Bible has their own interpretation of what the words mean – for their lives and their spirituality. There is no one definitive understanding of the Bible or the verses contained therein.
The Bible is a strange book, comprising stories that were passed down in oral tradition for years before first being written down. The stories can be bloody and vicious like Cain killing his brother Abel, which occurs only 4 chapters in. The books of rules include prohibitions against tattoos, interacting with menstruating women, and eating shellfish. Then there’s Song of Songs. a book in the middle that could make even readers of romance novels blush with its intimate language.
Some stories are culturally specific and make little sense in modern U.S. society. Things that were acceptable as “normal” in ancient times – such as multiple wives and concubines - are completely ignored today. Yet the Bible was used to justify slavery and is now being used to justify discrimination of LGBTQ persons. Verses that were interpreted one way 200 years ago are interpreted another way today and will, most likely, be interpreted a different way 200 years from now. Biblical scholars don’t agree with each other … and haven’t for millennia.
When someone says to me, “But the Bible says …” I view the statement with skepticism rather than devotion.
I’m not saying to ignore the Bible. I do believe the Bible is a sacred text worthy of study. But when verses in the Bible are used to bully, isolate, or scare someone into thinking they are on their way to hell, then biblical literalism becomes a spirituality that harms.
I want to touch on the verses that are used to bolster the argument that only Christians can get into heaven. Rather than assuming those verses mean that people have to identify as Christians or have to accept Jesus Christ in some public or private way, I propose a different interpretation: what if those verses invite people to be like Jesus. The Great Commission, the duty to spread the message of Jesus beyond its initial Jewish context, then becomes about spreading the way of Jesus, rather than an edict about becoming Christian.
Jesus was a revolutionary. He elevated women in his time. He decentered the religious ruling class of his day. Parables like the Good Samaritan show the religious elite being callous, while the person who was not of their faith helped the stranger beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Jesus said to follow that example.
Jesus emphasized kindness and mercy:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (1)
The first episode in this When Spirituality Harms series talked about harm done to LGBTQ people from religious spaces. The Jesus of the Gospels was concerned about the marginalized. My guess is that Jesus would be more concerned about the well-being of those who have been derided, tormented, and harassed in His name than he would about any theoretical wrongdoings the persons themselves may have done. “Do not judge or you too will be judged.” (2)
I don’t know if my interpretation is correct. But that’s the whole point – everyone has an interpretation. We can find the interpretation that allows us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated – with kindness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Joni Miller is a writer, researcher, spiritual coach, and speaker who uses her knowledge, education, and love of all things spiritual to help others find their unique spiritual path. www.SpiritualGeography.net
(1) Matthew 5:3-7
(2) Matthew 7:1
Ep 20: When Spirituality Harms, Part 3