In retrospect, had I been adequately prepared and read the Scriptures thoroughly before entering Omaha Central as some of the youth had. I might have been a reasonable Divinity student at Vanderbilt. Obtaining a Masters in Divinity would have been a dream that my grandfather Abraham would have not durst dreamt or lived for fear of reprisal from the Whites within his rural Arkansas community. For him, the mere experience of walking the storied pathways of that campus among its statues of great European American heroes might have proven deadly. And, for me, it was nearly so. Yet, such is a long story.
Yet, life has taught that, although the "faithful" laity hold the Levitical priesthood in high esteem, seeing the debaucherous college lifestyle that most likely was part and parcel of all Vanderbilt students exuded by members of their School of Divinity would have been extremely disheartening. The clergy experience the same "normalcy" as all men. Albeit, Christ simply experienced the same temptations and yielded not.
And, it is those experiences in life that shape our understanding of what we see, hear, taste, smell, feel, intuitively sense, and feel through strong "Paulinesque" unctions. We are the some total of our sempiternal existence: every thought, dream, desire, meditation of the heart, choice driven by free will, and external stimuli, that which we "experience" in our own perspective of this world's reality.
Such drives and biases our understanding of what we comprehend when we communicate, either with an animate or inanimate object, including the Bible, His written Word. What was your first inclination of reasoning associated with the term Bible. Did you think of it as only a series of letters printed on paper and realize that in ways one should use healthy communication skills, like gesticulation, while reading any written work, plus, possibly, speak aloud in response. Like saying, "I have been thinking that for years, and you, the text, the author, one's life-driven understanding, or all of the above, just shed light on the very thought that I have ruminated upon since early childhood". Or, was your thought surely His Word liveth with an Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience Eternal. Your view and the expansive thought which formed in the depths of your mind while reading those few term were predicated and punctuated by nearly three score years of God-given guidance and choices. And, whether one, at first glance, sees, accepts, and calls the Bible a book or God's Immutable Word. Should we condemn, strive against, or despise our brother for having a unique and different perspective. In all things, should not there be His Love. If, we accept that another man's plate of flesh or vegetables does not offend us. Should we curse or condemn him over his "instantaneous" viewpoint. Or, are these the words, ramblings, and babblings of an "educated fool" in a world where most men seek and respect those with letters and question not their medical physicians but praise, respect, and revere his opinion. Why might such a term be used? Might it be the nature of humanity and all that besets us, envy, strife, backbiting, and the rest.
I had an interesting experience this morning. I awoke, used the water closet, and glanced at my digital clock. It was roughly half before three. I fell asleep and dreamt for what felt like four or five hours. Then, nature called again. I laid awake thinking for what seemed like nearly a few hours. Then, I glanced at the clock thinking that it was roughly five in the morning. It was five minutes before half after three.
When escaping the nightmare of pornography and the purgatory this world becomes when imbibing in it, I experienced some very long, dark, and frightening night sequences while "fully" conscious. Instead of looking at the abundant filth that might be found on this public communication medium and autofornicating, I decided that I would read Scripture.
This is the brief "passage" which I read. Proverbs 24: 1 - 4 (NIV). I read over it, thought upon it, roiled it over and over in my mind, and then let a few thoughts congeal. And, it seems that I could interpret or see different abstractions and various viewpoints.
[Pro 24:1-4 KJV] 1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
What does "an house" represent in the second verse? Is it one's church, familial home, the structure of one's career, educational, or life's goals. Is it as abstract as a Godly desire or longing. What might it be? How might this passage speak when you read over it. What has been on your mind or heart lately.
A young newlywed might see it "literally" as the threshold that he carried his giddy, blushing bride over. Joe Biden might see it as an presidential administration. Both of these interpret this passage as discussing a physical "brick and mortar" structure. Yet, the "building" discussed might certainly be as abstract as one's walk of faith and the relationship which one has with his Lord and Liege. And, it is often said that faith is not mere "literary analysis"; however, the identifying and understanding of symbols, images, common themes, and other "literary" aspects is all part of reading comprehension. And, the depth of one's comprehension is in proportion with the level of understanding that one attains. It is not a matter of natural intelligence or "gifting"; it is driven by what one desires.
Life has shown that those who are deemed cognitively-impaired have miraculous insights showing a depth of understanding that others simply cannot perceive. The lettered psychologist, psychiatrist, or speech therapist might certify someone as incorrigible, incapable of learning, or grossly-impaired based upon measured and well-respected scientific scales. And, furthermore, these professionals might foment the foulness of the dysfunction for self-seeking career goals. Such, this life's experiential perspectives proclaim, are educated fools.
Yet, that is the true measure of "fooldom". What does one do with the God-given gifts which he has. Does he edify His Children or destroy?
However, the true topic of discussion was semantics and one's perspective on scripture. It is not a matter of right or wrong when one seeks a Godly, edifying understanding. And, all this gives place for the wolves among the sheep and the divisive who enter churches, those who are true enemies of God, but it will be said. "More than one understanding might be a valid or Godly interpretation; but, such must be balanced with the 'entirety' of Scripture and the Spirit of its Law." Which permeates both Testaments as spoken by the Messiah in Matthew 5, verse 17 - 20.
It is possible that more than one of us might be correct when discussing Scripture. If and when, we take the time and seek edifying nourishment, whether on our own or in groups.
