Expert: Edward Bode - 8/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: Ever since I was a child I was taught Bible stories and loved them. Even though they made little sense. I recognized them as sacred legends and myths quite early. Where are the dinosaurs and the ice age? Snakes do not speak, people do not fly through the air, or come back from the dead, part seas, heal by touch (why must they be touched in the first place?) and calm storms. Children are not born from a virgins,(ancient heroes are.) I have been very comfortable with this conclusion throughout my life. It makes rational sense when one is dealing with primitive and pre-literates in the ancient near-eastern world. Just recently I have begun to realize the comfort a large part of the catholic clergy, especially those who know little about critical ancient history, the belief in magic and scientific inquiry into the supernatural, get from assuming Biblical stories, especially those about Jesus, are based on historical incidents. The book of Mark? Papias said it came from where? There were other myths and strange stories? Isn't the book of Mark a bit strange?  Give me a break. Why is the clergy uncomfortable with myth? Does their faith require the Divine setting up a historical boundary? Why are they so mistrusting? Biblical scholarship has always been an up hill battle with naive superstitious people who are afraid of change and the critical interpretation of new physical evidence. If faith really healed there would not be a medical profession and members of the clergy, including Popes, would avoid any type of medical treatment. How could Raymond E. Brown, a top Catholic scholar, support demonology and the validity of witchcraft? Because there are demons and witches in scripture? Are a large number of the clergy still, certainly as they were in the middle ages, happy with being irrational, superstitious and ignorant?

ANSWER: I cannot speak for the mind of Ray Brown, now deceased.  Nor can I pole the current Catholic clergy on their beliefs.
However, to understand the bible, one has to understand ancient sacred literature, as you suggested.  The bible is not a book, it is a library of books written over at least 1000 years and with many types of literary genre.  As Augustine wrote in the fourth century: the bible teaches us the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go.  In the 1940s, Pope Pius XII wrote an excellenct treatise ["Divino Afflante Spiritu"] on how to interpret scripture.  The New Testament does include historical narratives based on real events in the life of Jesus. The gospels use those events to explain the message of faith that Jesus preached.
If you would like to read a contemporary work on understanding the New Testament, I recommend: Raymond F. Collins, Introduction to the New Testament [Garden City: Doubleday, 1983]. Any library should be able to get a copy on loan.
Should you have further concerns and would like to hear from me, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes, Charlie.

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QUESTION: I have yet to find a book in the Bible based around historical events except maybe the Babylon conquest and return of the Jews.
The Arabian Nights uses the names of real places and people. Like Biblical tales there is often the use of puzzle and word play. (These of course are lost in translation).          Raymond E. Brown, whom ''TIME'' magazine calls the leading Catholic
authority on the Bible, and a favorite of mine, does a nice little song
and dance around the question of the existence of demons. ref: ''An
Introduction to New Testament Christology'' by Raymond E. Brown, Paulist
Press, 1994. An introduction to the NEW TESTAMENT that is 26 years old can hardly be up to date. There are articles in the Catholic Encyclopedia dating from 1910!. I especially enjoy the CE author's conclusion on witchcraft. Why would anyone one openly admit to being a witch without the use of torture? Obviously they and the CE author here are flakey. There is nothing supernatural. Just a mistaken view of what we are continually learning about the natural. It is extremely unlikely God is the popular supernatural being who wrote the 10 commandments on the top of a mountain and gave birth to a child.
Extremely unlikely too Jesus really rose from the dead and flew away.
Biblical literature reveals itself to be childish in nature as were the barbaric ancient people of that time. It is interesting you have, I suppose, concluded the New Testament is more historical than the Old Testament. You have no trust in myth when it reveals the yearnings of the human heart in many pre-literate primitive religions? To be with one's loved ones forever. The white man's God is the only true one?

ANSWER: The latest is not always the best.  Collins' book is a very substantial study that deals with the most significant issues on NT scholarship from a critical-historical viewpoint.  
If you do not accept the supernatural, I suppose that the biblical library dealing with the supernatural will not have great appeal.
There are many maanings and nuances to the word, myth.  Stories can teach us truths.  However, there are realities that can also teach.  
The Old Testament does contain many historical facts.  So does the New.
I believe that many non-whites have concluded to the existence of one God.  Who are we to dictate to God how to communicate with humanity?
There is a rational basis stemming from the resurrection of Jesus for the acceptance of Christianity.
Shall we talk some more?
Best wishes, Charlie.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: There is a heart breaking desire for immortality that is the foundation of the resurrection and flying away of Jesus. (You keep avoiding Jesus' unusual departure.) Christianity, as are many religions, is based upon a leap of faith not rationality. Who are we to dictate that God can or wishes to communicate with humanity at all?  This is what it takes to convince ourselves that our lives have value? We prefer to be blind to our own charity, goodness and critical thinking? You and I know each generation modifies and reinterprets the Bible to suit the ever constant changes of society. Surviving Christian art and critical ancient history reveal the Christianity of today is far different than it was thousands of years ago. It will be very different tomorrow. Female Catholic priests are unavoidable. Progress does not stand still. Certainly the interpretation of Jesus as being the only (historical?) Son of God (Divine Hero) will change with the evidence of the latest finds. Critical ancient history, archaeology and science do not stand still. Remember when the dinosaurs dragged their tails on the ground but there was no physical evidence to support it and it was immoral to practice medicine on human beings?  The supernatural is a whim. I have critically examined supernatural and paranormal claims with other magicians for at least 40 years. Paranormal maybe folie a deux. Supernatural no way. Check out Dean Radin, Gary Schwartz, Joseph McMoneagle and the Stargate Project on the wikipedia. The paranormal is the door to the occult. Are you sure you can recognize critical ancient history when you see it? Try some of Ramsay MacMullen's stuff.

Answer
Again, Augustine: Our hearts were made for Thee O Lord and they are restless til they rest in Thee.
That the creator endowed humanity with gifts of His love that lead to Him is no surprise.
The gospels and Paul preserve reliable traditions that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to a goodly number of persons.  They were reliable witnesses and changed their lives because of the experience.  
If you wish to look further into the teaching of the Church on the Trinity and the Incarnation, you could go to The Catechism of the Catholic Church, available at:
www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
The index to the book gives the paragraph numbers.  especially 461-463, 242-267.
There are some things that change in the Church, but there are some things in faith and morals that been established as the truth for all times. Check paragraphs 889-891.
I am sorry that you have given up on the supernatural. I pray that you reconsider.