Based on your thoughts noted above, how would you suggest a Muslim proceed with studying the Bible? (I happen to have a couple in mind who are searching).Devadatta said:Good question.
The belief-based view of the bible is that it’s the story of God and His covenant with the human race as filtered through the Hebrew people (old testament) or the body of Christ (new testament). The belief-based view relies on faith, though it deploys “reason” strategically as needed, especially to appeal to certain mentalities. (One of the most imposing monuments to this process is the Aristotelian-Thomistic system of the Catholic Church.)
Based on ordinary reason, the bible is an elaborate rationalization of power; the monotheism at its core is distinguished less by philosophical subtlety – many other religious philosophies are just as coherent and interesting – than by its ready assimilation to political and social ends. Many elites through the centuries have used the bible to justify their power; many in oppressed classes have equally used the bible as a basis to demand change or revolution.
A reason-based view of the bible – as a human document no more divine or mystical than any other – can also be based on faith, but on a faith that doesn’t require beliefs. One can, for example, read the bible as part of a beneficial spiritual practice without ascribing to any conventional dogma.
However you read the bible, the bottom line was laid out by Jesus: by their fruits you shall know them.
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