How to begin has been a question that I really haven't been able to answer....
However, I did come up with an answer. There is a list of scriptures that are given to the youth of my faith to memorize during their high school years. This list is called "scripture mastery." I figure this is as good a place as any to start. So as is appropriate we shall begin with Genesis.
Genesis 1:26-27
26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
So contextually this is the 6th day of creation. The final day of creation, not including the day or rest. We, therefore, as descendants of our first parents have received the some of the same characteristics that they received from God. Namely, our likeness to God, and a responsibility that is in a likeness to His. Something that is constant and beautiful about the Hebrew Bible is the simple yet profound parallels which were loved by the Jewish forefathers, and is indeed found in Hebrew itself. So upon God having dominion over us and that exists, it is not wrong to compare our dominion over this small speck of rock, to that of God's, although His is a bit bigger.
Now, what is it to have dominion over something? Dictionary.com gives us the concepts or rule, authority over, or sphere of influence. Again, this applies as a parallel what God has over everything. So what does that mean for us? How is God ruling, governing, or dealing with His sphere of influence? With these questions brings the questions of who is our God?
And so belief comes into play. I believe in an omni-benevolent, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent (although this part is harder to explain) God. I also believe this very God knows when and where He should act, and I believe I do not understand the view of life and its purpose as He sees it, so I am not in a place to say when and where He should have done something differently.
As for our dominion, I think history shows us that we have been missing the point. I would argue that dominion also includes watching out for, and nurturing. For in those infantile days of the human families time here on earth, I believe we were shown some very important ideas (e.i. fire, tools, early farming). Additionally, everything on this planet worked together. We, as we have gained knowledge, have taken dominion to imply ravage, raze, or use till it is no good.
On a different note, and to conclude this post, I'd like to talk about the plurality of God. This is given in verse 26, "in our image." I personally believe in three distinct beings as my Godhead, but some believe in the idea of the Trinity. It is not intent to put down, or demean another's beliefs, and this post is for that purpose, even if I personally agree with a comment. If it is demeaning, I will delete it. Back to the scripture: Bible scholars ascribe Genesis to two authors. One use the word Elohim to name God, and so is respectively labelled E. The other used the Tetragrammaton (Hebrew: יהוה), or four-letter name for God, which was first translated (guessed to be) Jehovah, or which is now popularly named Yahweh (also guessed to be). This second writer is called J.
This part of Genesis comes from E, and so it makes perfect sense that God is plural, as the ending to His name is -im, which is a masculine plural ending. Yet even with this in mind, we still can only lean on our beliefs as to what is meant here, and the plurality of deity.
A posting of my ideas concerning various scriptures from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Departing on a spiritual Journey
This post is an experiment. I have never blogged, neither have I been one for many words, on paper at least. However, with this little experiment I wish to change both.
To begin one needs a goal. Mine is to record my thoughts as I read through different parts of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, and see what happens. In reading the sections I will use the King James version, and record my thoughts, questions, and hopefully answers I come across. With my current scholastic venture I have studied classic Greek and a little bit of Hebrew. It is my hope that these might come into play, and add to my understanding of this text I believe to be so sacred.
As for a disclaimer... my English is something I have been told needs work, my entire life. So please do not be surprised if there are a few errors. As I have said, it is my thoughts I am concerned, and they can be quite sporadic at times.
I hope, and pray, you may enjoy this journey with me. Also, if there is a topic or verses you think I should cover, please let me know.
To begin one needs a goal. Mine is to record my thoughts as I read through different parts of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, and see what happens. In reading the sections I will use the King James version, and record my thoughts, questions, and hopefully answers I come across. With my current scholastic venture I have studied classic Greek and a little bit of Hebrew. It is my hope that these might come into play, and add to my understanding of this text I believe to be so sacred.
As for a disclaimer... my English is something I have been told needs work, my entire life. So please do not be surprised if there are a few errors. As I have said, it is my thoughts I am concerned, and they can be quite sporadic at times.
I hope, and pray, you may enjoy this journey with me. Also, if there is a topic or verses you think I should cover, please let me know.
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