Blog (1) Morgan Whittler

The thing that struck me the most about the reading was that knowledge produced by bible scholars has had little effect on what is delivered form the pulpit every Sunday. Words attributed, in fact entire letters, attributed to Paul, the most prominent and trusted writer of the New Testament, are not his at all but the common churchgoer is none the wiser.  The true problem isn’t a lack of general biblical knowledge, but in the teaching derived from manipulated translations. Ehrman talks about intentional textual changes being made for reasons mostly regarding consistent scriptural support for changing theological doctrine and social opinions [1], never to maintain the accuracy of original scripture. This has led to scripture being used to support discrimination and stunt social progress.

I’m not arguing for the dismissal of the Bible as a reference for spiritual guidance I am however unconvinced that the general public is too simple minded to be taught biblical morality through a historical critical method as opposed to the pastoral lens. I am also unconvinced that pastors, no matter the denomination should not have a firm grasp on the reasons their denominational beliefs have manifested the way they have.

  In 2008 at a Biblical Literature conference there was a panel discussion held to debate the merits of having divinity school students taught the Historical Critical Method. One scholar questioned the objective of keeping the bible at the center of theological education curriculum saying, “Are we just privileging one text even though we might give it multiple interpretation?” [2]. His question gets at my point that, because we acknowledge that there are multiple equally valid interpretations of text, we have no need for organized denominations if we are encouraging each individual to find biblical truth from themselves. 

Parishioners should not be babied they should be given the opportunity to know the truth about the bible. Teaching through a critical historic lens would help dispel practices that discriminate against minorities and help keep the bible from being used to justify human indecencies.

[1] B.D. Ehrman, The New Testament (4. New York. Oxford, (2008), 490.

[2]  A.K.M.Adam, “Should We be Teaching the Historical Critical Method?” Teaching Theology and Religion 12:2. 167.

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Bibliography

Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament. Fourth Edition. New York, 2008: 490-492.

Adam, A.K.M., Richard Ascough, Sandra Gravett, Alice Hunt, Dale Martin, Edward Wimberly, and Seung Ai Yang. 2009. "Should We Be Teaching the Historical Critical Method?." Teaching Theology & Religion 12, no. 2: 162-187.