Unfortunately, I find that most people are content to take Scripture at face value. For them, studying the social and theological contexts behind biblical material is unnecessary and irrelevant. So is understanding the distinction between different types of biblical literature, such as allegory, history, poetry, apocalypticism, metaphor, and Aramaic Idioms. “But the Bible says so!” is their battle-cry.
The following is a humorous example of pushing this attitude to its logical extreme. It was posted on the Internet as an open letter to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, a radio personality known for her biblical literalism. Here are some of the “queries” submitted: I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 12:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
Leviticus 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and, female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations.
A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians, Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians? I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states that he should be put to death, Am I morally obliged to kill him myself? My uncle has a farm, He violates Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two diffirent kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend), My uncle also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them?(Leviticus 24:10-16) Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair?
The writer ends his questions with this: I know you have studied these things extensively, so 1 am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging. We have sponsor teachers like Dr. Rocco Errico and Dr. Stephen Hairfield, both Biblical Scholars in their own field, to enhance our knowledge of “Bible Truths-, We endeavor to bring to the interpretation of Scripture knowledge God has granted us in all fields of learning. We believe that “The Truth Shall Set You Free”, and the only way to know the truth is through research, study and meditation. In the words of St. Paul “see through a glass darkly,” to us means that understanding God’s word is an evolving process. Remember, we take the Bible seriously, but NOT literally!