Literal or allegorical?

[fhansen]

I can definately see the nation building element of the OT as ‘‘an agenda’’ political - not spiritual, and how ideas of divinity could be misused in this context.

Seeing as God appeared to several people, and worked great miracles in the OT and His voice seemed to be heard by all of the prophets, and whole nations witnessed miracles and they were given the commandments, I dont quite understand how they could be spiritually immature It seems to me they had an awesome advantage over even people of today.

Sarah x

I disagree. The appearances/contacts/miracles in the OT were few and far between-centuries apart-and not always for all to see. Much revelation came through prophets who were often ostracized or killed. The people continuously fell away-their commitment was far from deep. What they didn’t have was the revelation of a humble God who would even incarnate and live, suffer, and die if that’s what it took to show what He shouldn’t have to prove-that His love and trustworthiness are beyond measure. This was a much grander, more personal, and more exhaustive revelation of Gods nature and will, when the time was ripe in human history, according to scripture.

Earlier man wasn’t yet ready, and was merely spoon fed laws, much like we do with children IMO. Even now we’re just becoming accustomed to the light of the gospel, to learn how to genuinely love-it takes time to grow into maturity-into Gods expectations for humankind.

 

[Nita]

And isnt this precicely what those breakaway sects claim - they are all inspired by the Holy Spirit and yet they have beliefs and practices that do not agree with the catholic church - whih leads to another atheistic retort, namely, how can all these people be inspired by the same Holy Spirit?

If the church had clearly defined the meaning of the scripture, then it would be clear - but as it hasnt, Im not sure how anyone can tell anyone else theyre wrong

Sarah x

The Church does not infallibly define the meaning of every Scri0pture passage. It infallibly defines particular doctrines – which are a protection to keep us from interpretting Scripture erroneously.

For example, the Church has infallible doctrines concerning the attibutes of God - that He is all good, loving, just, merciful, .,
We are not free to interpret Scripture passages in a way that contradicts these doctrines. So, with those difficult OT passages, one has to apply one’s intellect and seek God’s assistance in understanding how/why such directives by Him do in fact display His goodness, love, justice, mercy, etc. From personal experience, I can assure you that when you do this (go in totally accepting Church doctrines and seeking God’s assistance in understanding) the Scriptures will come alive for you in ways you never imagined.