“Good artists are not cowards.” ----- Kevin Marshall Chopson
One of the most important components of writing is being honest. Life has many complexities that are not easily explained away. Personally, I believe that the writers of both the Old and New Testaments were some of the bravest and talented writers in history. No matter what religious views you maintain, these authors clearly and meticulously documented detailed accounts of sex, drunkenness, and violence associated with humanity. It seems ironic that so many religious groups resist discussion of these difficult subjects, when the core stories found in the Bible acutely address uncomfortable topics. From Genesis to the Revelation we read graphic depictions of “normal” humans participating in unspeakable (pun intended) actions. These accounts detail perverted, and wanton, sexual activity along with savage, unmentionable depictions of violence, and lastly repeated participation in unrestrained drunkenness.
I find it impressive that these talented scribes carefully preserved the vices found throughout their own history. It appears in most cases, that the reader is intended to identify with the protagonists in these awkward tales. Just a few of the more base situations to examine:
1) Lot’s daughters get him drunk on two separate occasions to have an incestuous sexual relationship with him.
2) After Noah gets drunk his son Ham, appears to have acted on some form of homosexual impulse with his father. (Scholars disagree on exactly what this refers to, but all acknowledge that someone did something to displease God after the flood.
3) Though poetic, the story of Oholah and Oholibah found in the book of Ezekiel, is one of the most sexually explicit depictions of carnality in any ancient manuscript. If it was made into a movie it would be rated XXX.
4) After slacking as a king, David has sex with another mans wife (causing conception), then proceeds to connive a way to assassinate her husband and keep her to himself.
5) A Levite permits men to rape his concubine and then chops her into pieces to send to all twelve of the tribes as a call to arms.
I could go on and on, since the Bible is full of “normal” people doing really bad things. Why did these authors focus on such undesirable elements of society? I am convinced that they wanted us to wrestle with the uncomfortable reality that all of us, suffer from similar desires, addictions, and habits. The careful reader cannot ignore these challenging subjects, and must discuss them with friends and family. We must ask the important questions of “why” these particular stories were preserved. Sharing our problems with others develops a relationship, and we are more likely to resolve both internal and external conflict, which produces a healthy diversity that compels people show what is in the heart.
8 comments:
Well put...Never really thought of it that way.....thanks for the blog
You wrote:
I could go on and on, since the Bible is full of “normal” people doing really bad things.
You are "presuming" that the folks that did these things are "normal". That might be a bit of a stretch.
@Tim, I am glad you commented. You are correct about my assumption; and it’s important to exercise caution when extrapolating information not explicitly written in the text. However, I intentionally chose these examples because they included additional commentary (both direct or indirect) on the character of the individual. The quotation marks on the word “normal” were intended to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek. "Normal" is as "normal" does.
Saint Peter considers Lot, a “righteous” man. Noah is called “righteous, blameless, and someone that walked with God. King David was referenced as a man after Gods own heart, and also has a perfect and devoted heart in I Kings, I Samuel, and Acts. I would also contend that “normal” is most applicable to the sisters in Ezekiel because the author’s intent was to represent God’s chosen people as a whole. I doubt the scribes would use a figurative illustration, unless it contained some literal value. The last story is dealing with a priest. I know that not all priests were “normal,” but I feel comfortable assuming that the actions of a “holy” man could be indicative of acceptable societal behavior, reinforcing my use of the term “normal.”
Do you think the text would indicate these people were abnormal? I am interested in your response and open to alternate ideas. Thanks again, Great comment!
Without the scriptures, how would we define 'normal'?
The things we read about in the Bible, using human behavior as a yardstick, are normal. This normalcy of human behavior is why in only 10 generations God decided to destroy man.
I agree with you; the Bible does not draw back from showing the failings of its heroes, but it does so in the context of morality. It shows that actions have consequences, even the actions of the most privileged. If we are to engage in discussions of the flaws of those around us, it should be for the intent of healing or for admonition. Without a moral direction, such discussions could easily produce the effect warned of by Fredrich Nietzsche: "If thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee."
"Normal" and "bad" are entirely based on social mores. Women can marry on paper, but consumate at child-bearing age in many other countries. Some people marry their brothers wives if the brother passes so all the wives have economic stability, medical, emotional, spiritual care from the family continuing after the death of a spouse. These examples may be "bad" in one society, but praised in another.
I don't think taking advantage of your father in a homosexual way is normal in any society, nor is letting someone rape your "concubine" then chopping her into pieces. I think we must be very careful with generic statements. "Normal" and "bad" are not ENTIRELY based on social mores. Some "bads" are just plain bad from any standpoint.
The Bible mentions these incidents for a reason. Let's find out what that reason is-and don't stare too long in the process (just walk into the room backwards like Shem and Japheth did). Brian is right-it will affect you negatively.
Normal people do normal things and have normal flaws.
Great people do great things and have great flaws.
This principle does not always apply, but it does seem to be an historical trend.
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