Red letter Christianity

[Spiny Norman]

As I was driving the other day, pondering the nature of things, considering what I knew (or thought I knew) about God, I had a revelation of sorts.

So much of what I think I know about Jesus is what other people have told me. More than that, so much of what I think is "Christianity" arguably isn't at all ... its what other people have made of it ... for example, "Leadership": there are any number of books in the Christian bookstores about godly models of leadership, blah blah blah, but I can't recall Jesus ever having anything of consequence to say on the topic.

So why are there so many books on it in these bookstores? I suspect we are yet again making God in our image by promoting leadership models that work oh-so-wonderfully if you're trying to keep the sheep in the pen, but actually have nothing to do with Christianity when you put them under the microscope.

As I was thinking about this, the thought occurred: why don't I just read Jesus' words for myself and let him speak to me?! (instead of having everyone else interpret them for me?

I have a red letter Bible. I think I might just read the red bits for a while, and see what happens.

[Ameen]

This makes sense even from a non-Christian perspective. Basically, you want to look at the primary source without being unduly influenced by the secondary sources.

It's a shame you can't read it in the original, the way Biblical scholars do. So much is lost in any translation. The psychology and culture of the original lanuage is often diluted or lost all together in translation--which is why secondary sources also have their value. I can tell you that I speak three languages--English, French, and Italian--and am often appalled when the best way to translate something is still quite poor. For this reason, many Muslims whose native language is not Arabic learn the language to enrich their understanding of what the Qu'ran says to them, for example. It isn't the same Qu'ran in, say, Turkish, Indonesian, or English.

What you propose it excellent. Just accept any limitations you have as an English speaker and see what you can still get out of the primary source.

[Hope 98]

I returned to my faith about 10-12 years ago, and began by reading the gospels almost obsessively, determined to understand what they really meant.

It's not EXACTLY what Spiny is suggesting, but close. I believe it is the root of the perspective I still have. It makes a lot of sense to me that if one would consider being Christian - which I've heard was derived from a word meaning "little Christ" - knowing who Christ was (and is) matters a lot!

Otherwise we are more likely to become "little popes", "little Herbert Armstrongs", "little Martin Luthers", "little Pauls", "little Peters", or "little Pastor fill-in-the blanks".

Excellent idea SN - go for it!

[Willow]

As I was thinking about this, the thought occurred: why don't I just read Jesus' words for myself and let him speak to me?! (instead of having everyone else interpret them for me?

I have a red letter Bible. I think I might just read the red bits for a while, and see what happens.

I did this several years ago and it revolutionized my concept of Jesus! I saw him defending me against abusive religious leaders in those red letters!

[JaniceB]

Great idea! Reading Jesus' words and thinking about him was largely what helped me decide that I was indeed a Christian. Before that I believed in a God and I believed that God cared about me but Christianity? Hmmm...Now I'm convinced it's right for me.

[Spiny Norman]

Yes, unfortunately I cannot read NT Greek as such, however I do have a very good NT Greek -> English parallel translation, so it has the Greek, the literal translation in English, and the NIV version, all together. So I think I will probably read it from there, so that I can see how it has been translated, as well as how it has been interpreted into "modern English". I wish I had my Dad's training, as he could read in Hebrew and Greek!

[Grey]

:) Keep us posted, SN. :)

[outcast]

good for you spiny!! I have recently decided to start reading the bible again on a regular basis. I think that I will put my spirit filled life bible to the side and invest in a parallel bible. I enjoy reading in the hebrew and greek when I can and find such tools helpful.

I'm glad you posted this thread because it encouraged me to do something I had already considered. I hope you will be enlightened by what you find in your studies.

[ex-shep]

I did this several years ago and it revolutionized my concept of Jesus! I saw him defending me against abusive religious leaders in those red letters!


very true. I was listening Acts 15 when legalistic accounts jumped out of the CD. Paul's letter to the Galatians took issue with a potentially abusive issue. My own paraphrase of Paul's response to legalistic Judaizers is something akin to "That's it. Everybody out of the pool".

As a slight diversion, I remember a wise gentleman who taught the College Age Sunday School class in a Texas college town Baptist Church. It was tongue in cheek but illustrative, "You realize folks that I can no longer attend First Baptist. I live the other side of High School Road so that means I have to go Western Hills Baptist in their jurisdiction" He then launched right into the study of Galatians. It took us a few minutes to connect the dots, but we made the legalistic connection.

[Reg]

I did this several years ago and it revolutionized my concept of Jesus! I saw him defending me against abusive religious leaders in those red letters!
Amy try Mat 23. He really ripped the Pharisees apart. Count the number of times he called them hypocrites along with some other savory sayings.

[Jerry]

I think that sometimes we over value the abuse we suffered.Salvation aside,not to diminish it's importance,Christs whole minestery was addressing abuse.For His efforts Christ suffered the ultimate obscenity,,,,,,,abuse personified :(

[Willow]

Amy try Mat 23. He really ripped the Pharisees apart. Count the number of times he called them hypocrites along with some other savory sayings.

No doubt... Jesus really hated spiritual abuse!

[Reg]

No doubt... Jesus really hated spiritual abuse!
Right on Amy.

He was the most spiritually abused of all, right to the cross.