A
angellous_evangellous
Guest
Quite often I see Christians and non-Christians trying to interpret and apply Bible passages incorrectly. There are a number of interpretative rules/theories that can be discussed, but very often I see an ancient ideal being applied as a literal command or model.
Basically, if we recognize something as an ideal, we don't need to apply this standard rigidly to ourselves (or others!:cover: ) or to God.
Two examples are on my mind. Proverbs 31, for example, details the qualities of an ideal queen (the wife in verse 10 is the wife of a king - the context is a king telling his son what to expect from his queen).
Proverbs 31
10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I like to compare this proverb with a dynamic equivalent from contemporary culture.
I got a brand new girlfriend (by Steve Holy)
She said, "i need sometime to find myself,
i need a little space to think.
maybe we should start seeing other people.
baby, things are moving way to fast for me."
so, i, i picked up what was left of my pride,
and i put on my walking shoes,
and i got up on that high road,
and i did what any gentleman would do..
i, um...
[chorus]
i got a brand new girlfriend.
we went and jumped off the deep end,
flew out to LA for the weekend,
spent the whole day, lyin' on the beach,
wearin' nothin' but a smile,
playin' kissy-kissy, smoochy-smoochy,
talkin' mooshy-mooshy bout nothin'.
man, i think im on to somethin',
yano i feel just like a kid again.
i got a brand new girlfriend.
[verse: 2]
i love it when she calls me butter cup,
laughs and says i left the toilet seat up,
she pops and tosses me a cold beer,
and says my buddies always welcome here.
when i get hungry, she takes me out.
i ride the shotgun like a ****zu hound.
my tails a waggin', my tounges hangin' out,
it makes me wanna shout...
[chorus]
wooo...
cute, cute, cute...
she likes to write our names in the sand.
shes hearing wedding bells and making plans.
shes gonna hang around a while i guess.
she hasnt even told me she loves me yet.
[chorus]
she makes me feel just like a kid again,
i gotta brand new girlfriend
Basically, if we recognize something as an ideal, we don't need to apply this standard rigidly to ourselves (or others!:cover: ) or to God.
Two examples are on my mind. Proverbs 31, for example, details the qualities of an ideal queen (the wife in verse 10 is the wife of a king - the context is a king telling his son what to expect from his queen).
Proverbs 31
10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I like to compare this proverb with a dynamic equivalent from contemporary culture.
I got a brand new girlfriend (by Steve Holy)
She said, "i need sometime to find myself,
i need a little space to think.
maybe we should start seeing other people.
baby, things are moving way to fast for me."
so, i, i picked up what was left of my pride,
and i put on my walking shoes,
and i got up on that high road,
and i did what any gentleman would do..
i, um...
[chorus]
i got a brand new girlfriend.
we went and jumped off the deep end,
flew out to LA for the weekend,
spent the whole day, lyin' on the beach,
wearin' nothin' but a smile,
playin' kissy-kissy, smoochy-smoochy,
talkin' mooshy-mooshy bout nothin'.
man, i think im on to somethin',
yano i feel just like a kid again.
i got a brand new girlfriend.
[verse: 2]
i love it when she calls me butter cup,
laughs and says i left the toilet seat up,
she pops and tosses me a cold beer,
and says my buddies always welcome here.
when i get hungry, she takes me out.
i ride the shotgun like a ****zu hound.
my tails a waggin', my tounges hangin' out,
it makes me wanna shout...
[chorus]
wooo...
cute, cute, cute...
she likes to write our names in the sand.
shes hearing wedding bells and making plans.
shes gonna hang around a while i guess.
she hasnt even told me she loves me yet.
[chorus]
she makes me feel just like a kid again,
i gotta brand new girlfriend
