You're right. David said He made His deeds known to the people so they saw what He did but they didn't see Him; that's the rote way to read scripture. But Moses said, "Show me Your ways so I may know You." Reading the way you describe makes scripture an adventure we have with God. When we know His ways we know better how to become His likeness.
Oh my, there you go again. Eloquently revealing my thoughts in ways I cannot. You really had me when you mentioned CSL and Joseph Ratzinger and I looked at my shelves. I like to think we are virtual “friends” in the “you too?” CSL sense. Thank you!
Wow, Spencer.[EDIT: Well goodness—my apologies, Andrew. Embarrassingly, I did not check the byline before commenting, just had it in my head that Spencer was writing today's post. So my admiration stands, but meant for you.] This is truly inspired wisdom. And it explains why so much of what you (and your dad [EDIT: son]) write resonates so deeply with me.
As someone who has read and followed Emmanuel Swedenborg all of my adult life, your perspective and positions reflect near-exactly how he understood and wrote about the Lord‘s Word and His life in this world, and what they tell us about the purpose and task of our lives here. It was the title of your blog that first signaled a parallel to me, because the New Jerusalem is, according to Swedenborg, symbolic of a new Christian church being formed in the hearts and minds of people who see and live by the deeper meaning of the Word. And it all points us to trusting in God, resisting temptations to put ourselves above others, and humbly seeking to love and serve their highest good. Swedenborg wrote extensively about how the literal meaning holds deeper spiritual truths that can enlighten our understanding of God and our path to Him.
One of the best resources for gaining insights to this deeper meaning is the website (and app) New Christian Bible Study. It provides clear explanations of Bible passages based on the inspired insights of Swedenborg, who spent the last three decades of his life here (he died in 1772) writing volumes on the topic. I highly recommend it.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
What good is reading the Scriptures or a story or a play except for entertainment unless they turn us to God and the truth, inspire us to repent and show us the way of righteousness. The Word is given by revelation and we have to understand it in the same Spirit. God speaks today, He spoke yesterday and will continue to call us through spoken and written words from His prophets . Have you not heard? Tremble and rejoice.
expanding on earlier comment: Andrew says "But if my biblical understanding seems unstable and vulnerable to error, I maintain that that is better than it being vulnerable to error yet written in stone." Controversial? Not according to George MacDonald, in the Higher Faith in Unspoken Sermons: "a man will please God better by believing some things that are not told him, than by confining his faith to those things that are expressly said." The Klavanator and MacDonald are of one mind on this, except MacDonald has more hair.
“I read the Bible differently than do other Christian believers.
This has been repeatedly brought to my attention by online followers both friendly and not. They often complain that I do not read the text literally, or that my reading contradicts some cherished orthodoxy of their church.”
I too, read the Bible differently than most people. I was taught that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but that the various books are also works of literature and therefore must be read according to their various genres. I don’t think (and have never thought) that the two ideas are mutually exclusive. To know that you think in much the same way is a great comfort to me as I greatly admire not only your scholarship, but also your apparent love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you.
One question after reading this--what does a faithful disagreement look like? The Reformers could be quite polemical and schism-ed even among each other (and you allude to such disagreement starting in the "faithful Jews and Christians" line in par. 3). We sort of lay that aside and use all their nice quotes even though there's a website out there where you can ask to be insulted with Martin Luther quotes.
The passage you reference from The Tempest sounds as if it could be perhaps the one time Shakespeare permits his own personality to shine through the character.
This resonates deeply with me and fed my soul this morning. Thank you!
I've never before been more at peace after reading *anything.* God Bless you and your family, Mr. Klavan.
You're right. David said He made His deeds known to the people so they saw what He did but they didn't see Him; that's the rote way to read scripture. But Moses said, "Show me Your ways so I may know You." Reading the way you describe makes scripture an adventure we have with God. When we know His ways we know better how to become His likeness.
Love this distinction.
Oh my, there you go again. Eloquently revealing my thoughts in ways I cannot. You really had me when you mentioned CSL and Joseph Ratzinger and I looked at my shelves. I like to think we are virtual “friends” in the “you too?” CSL sense. Thank you!
Wow, Spencer.[EDIT: Well goodness—my apologies, Andrew. Embarrassingly, I did not check the byline before commenting, just had it in my head that Spencer was writing today's post. So my admiration stands, but meant for you.] This is truly inspired wisdom. And it explains why so much of what you (and your dad [EDIT: son]) write resonates so deeply with me.
As someone who has read and followed Emmanuel Swedenborg all of my adult life, your perspective and positions reflect near-exactly how he understood and wrote about the Lord‘s Word and His life in this world, and what they tell us about the purpose and task of our lives here. It was the title of your blog that first signaled a parallel to me, because the New Jerusalem is, according to Swedenborg, symbolic of a new Christian church being formed in the hearts and minds of people who see and live by the deeper meaning of the Word. And it all points us to trusting in God, resisting temptations to put ourselves above others, and humbly seeking to love and serve their highest good. Swedenborg wrote extensively about how the literal meaning holds deeper spiritual truths that can enlighten our understanding of God and our path to Him.
One of the best resources for gaining insights to this deeper meaning is the website (and app) New Christian Bible Study. It provides clear explanations of Bible passages based on the inspired insights of Swedenborg, who spent the last three decades of his life here (he died in 1772) writing volumes on the topic. I highly recommend it.
https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/?mfc=1
Well, I'm honored you thought even for a moment I could have written this! Thanks so much for sharing.
Your dad’s talent with words and clarity of thought for sure did not fall far from the tree. I try daily not to envy you both.😏
You’re much too kind!
God would like all to be saved.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
The Bible was a book and Jesus was a man.
When you know how to use books and men to transform yourself, they are sufficient.
Be strong in the spirit.
Let go of temptation and notice the suffering of others.
Simply, give your life to the world.
“1) Do not be angry, but be at peace with all people.
2) Do not amuse yourself with depravity.
3) Do not take oaths for anyone for any reason.
4) Do not resist evil; do not judge and you will not be judged.
5) Do not make distinctions between nations; love the foreigner as you would your own people.
All of these commandments are as one: All that you wish people would do for you, do for them.”
3) Not a big fan of marriage then?
It is good for a man to unite with a woman and to stay with her. I call that marriage.
What good is reading the Scriptures or a story or a play except for entertainment unless they turn us to God and the truth, inspire us to repent and show us the way of righteousness. The Word is given by revelation and we have to understand it in the same Spirit. God speaks today, He spoke yesterday and will continue to call us through spoken and written words from His prophets . Have you not heard? Tremble and rejoice.
expanding on earlier comment: Andrew says "But if my biblical understanding seems unstable and vulnerable to error, I maintain that that is better than it being vulnerable to error yet written in stone." Controversial? Not according to George MacDonald, in the Higher Faith in Unspoken Sermons: "a man will please God better by believing some things that are not told him, than by confining his faith to those things that are expressly said." The Klavanator and MacDonald are of one mind on this, except MacDonald has more hair.
Thank you, Andrew! Beautiful essay.
Best one yet. I’m going to send this to my mum.
Very similar to the Higher Faith chapter in George MacDonald’s Unspoken Sermons. Great minds.
“I read the Bible differently than do other Christian believers.
This has been repeatedly brought to my attention by online followers both friendly and not. They often complain that I do not read the text literally, or that my reading contradicts some cherished orthodoxy of their church.”
I too, read the Bible differently than most people. I was taught that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but that the various books are also works of literature and therefore must be read according to their various genres. I don’t think (and have never thought) that the two ideas are mutually exclusive. To know that you think in much the same way is a great comfort to me as I greatly admire not only your scholarship, but also your apparent love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you.
Grace and peace, Jane Davis
One question after reading this--what does a faithful disagreement look like? The Reformers could be quite polemical and schism-ed even among each other (and you allude to such disagreement starting in the "faithful Jews and Christians" line in par. 3). We sort of lay that aside and use all their nice quotes even though there's a website out there where you can ask to be insulted with Martin Luther quotes.
The passage you reference from The Tempest sounds as if it could be perhaps the one time Shakespeare permits his own personality to shine through the character.
Getting caught up from the week, and this is absolutely, divinely purposeful to me right now. Thank you.