1.2 - Comparative Religion
October 31, 2004 | Comments: 3Biblical Hermeneutics Part First Chapter 2
The author presents a synopsis and brief comparative analysis of the sacred writings of the great world religions. He includes the Zend-Avesta of the Persians, the Vedas of India, the writings of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, The Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Koran, and Scandinavian Eddas. Providing historical and cultural background, he quotes excerpts from each, and finally shows how they stand in comparison to Christian Holy Writ.
For each of the religions and their sacred writings, the author endeavors to show the best examples. In some, there are myths which mirror Biblical accounts of ancient history; in others are high levels of moral wisdom, e.g. Lao-tze’s “recompense injury with kindness” and in yet others are beautiful poetical expressions of worship. Yet in every case these gems are but small gleanings compared with the whole body of the sacred writings. Even the best of these fall short of the beauty, simplicity and nobility of the Bible. In these other sacred writings noble sentiment is intermixed with much that is foolish and frivolous. Polytheistic mythology is prevalent. The writings are not internally consistent. Few have any notion of a personal Supreme Being, and for those that do, e.g. the Koran, He is remote and beyond our ken. [Aside: The Five Commandments of Buddhism consist of what is essentially the 2nd Table of the Law of God, viz. our duty toward Man. Notably absent is our duty toward God.]
The Jewish and Christian Scriptures stand in stark contrast to the sacred writings of all other religions. Though written over a span of 1600 years by people from very different cultures and stations in life, they are wonderfully internally coherent, and present one clear unified revelation of the One God from beginning to end. An honest comparison will show that other writings are earthly and are Man’s attempts at reconciling Himself to his existence, whereas the Bible has an entirely different character which can only be explained by its origin being from God Himself.
Comments
To what extent is the flow and coherency of the Bible, the product of editors who may have written transitions (e.g. final verses of Deuteronomy…)to show how one book relates to another. If these editors existed, do they in any way threaten the inspiration or infallibility of the text? What do you think? The coherency and flow of the Bible are remarkable! In what way is this due to the Holy Spirit’s work and may any of it be assigned to human authorship? nathan.
nathan on November 04, 2004 at 04:51 PM
There must have been editors, compilers and arrangers of the writings. You mentioned the end of Deuteronomy. The arrangement of the Psalms into 5 books corresponding with the Penteteuch also comes to mind. Other instances could be cited. Ezra may have been among the chief of these compilers.
To me this does not threaten the inspiration and infallibility of the text in the least. The same Holy Spirit who superintended the writing, using each author’s unique gifts, perspectives and personalities, is the same One who superintended the preservation of the writings, and their subsequent editing, compiling and arranging into the canon. We may, indeed we must, assign the writing and editing to human authorship, but we also may at the same time affirm in strongest terms their divine authorship. The wonder of the inspiration of Scripture is that the Eternal One chose to speak by means of human instruments.
andrew on November 04, 2004 at 10:09 PM
excellent, Andrew. I believe this is close to the right perspective.
nathan on November 05, 2004 at 07:18 AM
