A Hebraic Perspective
Not many people will argue that the Bible was written by Jewish people. Even the New Testament is a collection of writings from a bunch of Jewish guys who were brought up in synagogue, looking forward to the coming of their Jewish Messiah.
Their vocabulary, their perspective, their traditions and culture were absolutely Jewish- even to the very last words Paul the Apostle was recorded to have said.
It makes sense to us that this vocabulary, this perspective and understanding didn't suddenly evaporate when the man whom they knew to be the Messiah rose from the dead and commissioned them to go out and teach all the world all the things He had commanded them. In fact, since all the things He had commanded them during His life on earth as a Jewish rabbi, it makes more sense that if He commanded to teach
Their vocabulary, their perspective, their traditions and culture were absolutely Jewish- even to the very last words Paul the Apostle was recorded to have said.
It makes sense to us that this vocabulary, this perspective and understanding didn't suddenly evaporate when the man whom they knew to be the Messiah rose from the dead and commissioned them to go out and teach all the world all the things He had commanded them. In fact, since all the things He had commanded them during His life on earth as a Jewish rabbi, it makes more sense that if He commanded to teach
all the gentiles "all things whatsoever I have commanded you...) Matthew 28:19-20, He was sending them out to all the gentiles to teach them a Jewish faith.
So, what happened? Well, a lot. But mostly, a bunch of people over the years decided that some things in the Bible are important and some things are not. It became a tool for making the powerful people more powerful- and shunning anybody else who didn't agree. That's not to say that everyone who sees things differently than we do are all bad (in fact, it's that philosophy that has led to so much division and controversy in the Church). It's just that, while the thoughts and ideas of those around us are very important to us, so are the thoughts and ideas that come to us from God and through His Word.
So, what happened? Well, a lot. But mostly, a bunch of people over the years decided that some things in the Bible are important and some things are not. It became a tool for making the powerful people more powerful- and shunning anybody else who didn't agree. That's not to say that everyone who sees things differently than we do are all bad (in fact, it's that philosophy that has led to so much division and controversy in the Church). It's just that, while the thoughts and ideas of those around us are very important to us, so are the thoughts and ideas that come to us from God and through His Word.
