To say that the Bible is a foreign book obscures the issue, the Ancient world shares many of the same values as our world. In addition the story elements became the foundations of Western literature, something most people are familiar with. The Bible has become a foreign book because of the way it is taught which is fragmentary and moralistic.
The Gospels in their essence are history, story and spiritual truth. As to history they are primarily about how Jesus was an exalted person of honor, this is because they were all “honor and shame” cultures. The gospels are story because they incorporate the traditional conventions of story that have structure such as crisis and climax, as well as the most important ancient metaphor of irony. Together these elements along with the interpretive statements of the authors and characters reveal significant spiritual truth. All of these components are seen in the climactic story event of the historic exaltation of Christ as he is ironically made a King and Savior by those who wish to keep him from becoming a King. The irony of the event is seen in the crown of thorns and the epiphanic presentation to the people in Pilates words “behold your King”. Of course the irony is further driven home in the soldiers mocking words “you saved others now save yourself.” He is saving others and becoming a King at this very moment. If you read the Gospels as history intended to reveal an exalted Person to an ancient world whose chief value was honor and story with all of the common popular conventions of story including irony. In addition the statements made by Christ and the characters highlight the deep spiritual truths therein such as the Centurions comment at the foot of the cross. “This man really was the Son of God”.Mark 15:39. You will go a long way in your understanding.
Where is the Shepherd of Hermas
The scripture is applicable for all ages for all places! It speaks to our hearts!!
To say that the Bible is a foreign book obscures the issue, the Ancient world shares many of the same values as our world. In addition the story elements became the foundations of Western literature, something most people are familiar with. The Bible has become a foreign book because of the way it is taught which is fragmentary and moralistic.
The Gospels in their essence are history, story and spiritual truth. As to history they are primarily about how Jesus was an exalted person of honor, this is because they were all “honor and shame” cultures. The gospels are story because they incorporate the traditional conventions of story that have structure such as crisis and climax, as well as the most important ancient metaphor of irony. Together these elements along with the interpretive statements of the authors and characters reveal significant spiritual truth. All of these components are seen in the climactic story event of the historic exaltation of Christ as he is ironically made a King and Savior by those who wish to keep him from becoming a King. The irony of the event is seen in the crown of thorns and the epiphanic presentation to the people in Pilates words “behold your King”. Of course the irony is further driven home in the soldiers mocking words “you saved others now save yourself.” He is saving others and becoming a King at this very moment. If you read the Gospels as history intended to reveal an exalted Person to an ancient world whose chief value was honor and story with all of the common popular conventions of story including irony. In addition the statements made by Christ and the characters highlight the deep spiritual truths therein such as the Centurions comment at the foot of the cross. “This man really was the Son of God”.Mark 15:39. You will go a long way in your understanding.
You mean like reading the New Testament as if it were a handbook on white privilege as the last Zondervan book promoted.