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- Jul 13, 2015
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- Western Australia
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- Moderate
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- Single
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- Yes
When you read the holy scriptures how do you do it; what stand, what ground, do you hold as you read?
There are difficult passages. Passages about taking pleasure in the destruction of one's enemies infant children (Psalm 137). Passages about genocide (1 Samuel 15 onward). Passages about rape (Deuteronomy 22). All of which paint a certain kind of picture of God. The kind of picture that is painted depends - to a considerable extent - on how you read those passages; specifically on what interpretive ground you decide to make your stand.
May I suggest a place to stand. You'll find it in this passage if you look with some care. Make it your starting place and the solution to the picture painted by the above passages may find a solution.
There are difficult passages. Passages about taking pleasure in the destruction of one's enemies infant children (Psalm 137). Passages about genocide (1 Samuel 15 onward). Passages about rape (Deuteronomy 22). All of which paint a certain kind of picture of God. The kind of picture that is painted depends - to a considerable extent - on how you read those passages; specifically on what interpretive ground you decide to make your stand.
May I suggest a place to stand. You'll find it in this passage if you look with some care. Make it your starting place and the solution to the picture painted by the above passages may find a solution.
Revelation 5:1-14 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; 2 and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?' 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' 6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. 8 When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 They sing a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; 10 you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.' 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!' 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, 'To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!' 14 And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' And the elders fell down and worshipped.
