I had the biggest Aha moment in class when we were talking about how the Bible is used to justify slavery in Uncle Tom's Cabin. Sadly, I believe people use the Bible for evil more often than what we would like to admit. A common phrase I hear at USF is, "well in the Bible....." The second I hear that, I shut down. At that point, I usually tune people out. Fair? Probably not. I do this because I have had a great number of experiences where people are twisting what the Bible has said to fit what they believe or want to others to believe. This is where I think a lot of people go wrong. Interpreting the Bible is something that Christians are faced with. That's a fact. However, some people tend to interpret it to suit them.
And, I can't forget to mention those people who go around quoting the Bible all day (and quite possibly in their sleep) but forget to live by what they say. Don't just say it, do it! For example, I can't even count the number of times I have heard these types of people placing judgement on others. Some have even gone as far as to say that they don't think a certain person will go to heaven. Really???? This is where I get frustrated. It is so hypocritical to preach all day but then judge someone else. Isn't that God's job? If you ask those people, they will usually respond that it is. Confusing!
This is why I usually choose to leave the Bible out of it. I don't want to be that person who uses the Bible the wrong way. I don't want to be that person that comes off as being hypocritical. Maybe I am not acting as one should in regards to faith, but the second I start saying "well in the Bible...." I am in what could be a sticky situation.
By no means do I mean to belittle anyone or even put myself at a higher level. I sin and make all the mistakes that everyone else does. I judge people too. The only difference is I leave my faith and what I believe out of it. I'm not sure what I even believe in most of the time. Do I believe in the Bible? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. What I do know is, I never justify how I act based on the Bible. If I do something sinful it is because I am flawed. The opposite is also true. If I make a good decision, it is because I wanted to.
This may appear to be a rant. In fact, it is. Sometimes we all need a little time to let it all out. Well, my time is up.....
Haha, I loved this rant, mostly because I just finished writing a mini-rant as a blog post. It's the end of the semester.. blogs are devolving to rants. I love it.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, I understand your frustrations. People do a lot of forcing the Bible to submit to their own ideas and not enough of submitting themselves to what the Bible is trying to say to them. I also agree the the campus of USF can be one judgy place, especially among the theology majors. I know I can be guilty of it, but it is also my goal to be as not that way as possible. I think we can rightly say that someone's actions are wrong if they don't line up with the Bible, but at the same time, there has to be compassion. We will never fully understand someone else's heart or story. Only God can see the whole picture - we'd do well to remember we never will.
Thanks for not ripping my rant apart! :) I wasn't sure what kind of response I was going to get, but I agree that rants are becoming a little more common at this point in the semester!!
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