A Contemporary Understanding of the Bible - Part 1: Special Revelation

A Contemporary Understanding of the Bible

Part 1 - Special Revelation

Series Information

• Understanding the Bible, Part 1 - Special Revelation

• Understanding the Bible, Part 2 - Divine Inspiration

• Understanding the Bible, Part 3 - Let's Talk About Trans, Gays...

• Understanding the Bible, Part 4 - Jesus' Renewed Command

It has taken me awhile to get here but it makes the most sense to me now then when I was younger believing the system I was in was correct. Because I went through a necessary time of "doubt and uncertainty" I was able to let go of all my traditions to reform my training and beliefs to be more in line with what I regard as a "contemporary understanding of the bible".

This short article then is written for the "Nones and Dones" and contemporary Christians seeking a better way to read the bible than in the current literal fashion it is being read now by those making conclusions on such readings and acting un-Christianly / unlovingly towards those in the world and in the church who are confused by all the hate and bullying, oppression and incivility towards them. Especially by those professing Jesus as their Lord and Savior but showing none of Jesus' love and compassion.

An Extended Definition of Divine Inspiration

First up, I was taught that special revelation occurred to only those whom God selected. My tradition called this "divine inspiration". This, as opposed to natural revelation from creation in its different manners and illustrations.

As an aside, at Relevancy22, as I explore, expand, and deepen my understanding of process philosophical theology I am working with both special and natural revelation. The first re the bible and God's LOGOS / WORD as my tradition names it; and the latter with all the sciences and academia. Thus my forays into process evolution, the process quantum sciences, social and economic sciences, forms of process-based government such as process ecological societies, and etc.

Now, by extension, I've reconsidered my thoughts about special revelation along these several lines:

1A. The idea of "special" is not as "special" as I was taught. God is in the business of communication to as many people as he can. If that is so, then there are "savants" out in our communities and global societies who, like a musical tuning fork, sense this Spirit, or "spirit-ual" revelation of sorts to paint, sculpt, preach, lead, form, and create from God his LIVING Word in as many flavors, tellings, and fashions as they can. From the adult to the child, from the specialist to the businessman, from the plumber to the bum on the streets. There are human savants who are driven - or burdened - to speak of this "divine" inspiration driving their souls.

1B. Not all "savants" are hearing completely. Because of their backgrounds, heritages, traditions, and predialections, these internal inklings can and will become confused with other drivings, urges, and beliefs. The trick is to help each "listener" to a more complete idea and dynamism of their insights. Here, the simplest I can preach is to always let one's work be driven by love and humanitarianism. If one's burden doesn't lift the oppressions off the shoulders of people carry the burdens of racisms, poverty, invisibility, etc, than such "special revelations" are in the end worthless, un-divine, non-spiritual healing balms to society or one's immediate friends and family. They are simply discourses in frivolity.

2. Now let's consider the case of the "rest of us" such as myself and everyone whom I know. We are each trying in our own way to become more whole and more-wholly live in this world of ours. We have lots of failures. Lots of attempts. And lots of inspirations - whether from TV, the movies, sports, addictions, hobbies, friends, the pulpit, or wherever. This is "inspiration" for the rest of us. Generally, the rule here is several: learn to love ourselves but not inordinately as some do; learn to love those around us who are loveable and save the harder, unlovable types for later (toxic family members, work situations, friends, etc); and learn to love and appreciate life as it comes to you in whatever difficulty, disaster, or suffering. We live in an imperfect world marred by a basic fallenness we call sin. Life is hard. Love makes it easier (and be careful with words like "hope" and "expectations").

Conclusion # 1 re Divine Inspiration

The BIG idea here is that God's "special revelation" which we call "divine inspiration" is simply for all of us. Some hear it better than others. Some can not. Some here parts of it. Some will here more of it. That it comes through the most unexpected lives at the most unexpected times... usually times when we are in places to hear and listen better than we have been in our lives.

Secondly, to no surprise but my own when having to deconstruct and resort my tradition and beliefs... God's message is love, hope, healing, and forgiveness. If we read the bible closely it's tenor, or thematic motifs, all center on these words. Words which we describe as atoning forgiveness, personal penitence and repentance, redeeming redemption in its many forms, and a live become more turbulent because God is calling out to us to let go of our hates and give in to love.

Thirdly, I personally do not subscribe to personal (sexual) humiliations, bodily beatings and chastities, monkish type practices, bodily starvations, or ritualised practices of such. The way to receive and give back divine love is simply to i) learn to love yourself, ii) learn to love others, iii) learn to love God not in ritual but, as you can, in whatever ways this may be done.

1 John 4:19-20 (NASB)

19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Since I stated this would be a short article I will leave with this gem. Many years ago I read Reuben Welch's little thin book titled "We Really Do Need Each Other." Surprisingly, I found it to be a very easy and critical study of the much neglected book, I John [ahem, 1,2,3 John, Jude and Revelation... THAT 1 John :) :) ]. It's simplicity changed by life and was the beginning of the end of my beliefs and traditions which taught me its theologies, bible verses, and convictions. Love will do that though. Especially divine love when it comes in so many ways, forms and fashions. So I will pass this precious reading along to you and hope it makes Jesus more alive than the Gospels have left him in our imaginations and biblical theology studies.

I'll see you in Part 2 of this article...

Peace,

R.E.Slater

October 1, 2022

Amazon link

Reviewer Comments

• The layout in this book is one of the most interesting books I have ever seen and you will read it again and again.

• It is a wonderful, yet short, description of what love is and what it should be.

• Not many people seem to know about Reuben Welch, a Christian writer whose humor and tender heart make his book a wonderful, poignant call to Christian action. His illustrations of how we Christians often dump someone hurting until they've shaped up is convicting. Who have I done that to, since I know people who've dumped me because of my baggage? Welch makes me think more deeply about the grace of Christ, and the kindness I, in attempting to reflect his character, can show to others. Having the text written in a poetry layout can be distracting for some, but I found it slowed me down to think about the phrases he emphasizes by placing them alone, separate from a paragraph. Welch's matter-of-fact style, and obvious love of the Lord make this a wonderful read.