Last edited Sun Apr 28, 2019, 11:23 AM - Edit history (2)
(like myself) to really consider what we believe, and to respond to those who ask questions.
This is just my own personal view, but I think that beliefs can and should evolve...and what was once seen as "fact" may now be seen as a metaphor. And, ultimately, those of us who say we are believers must decide for ourselves.
For example, in the gospel of Matthew, there are the so called "corporal works of mercy"
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
To me, this can be seen as a metaphor to offer comfort and support to those in need...for example, I should not withhold offering someone clothes who needs better clothing (such as winter coats or business attire if they are going on job interviews) because they are not literally "naked", or that I should refrain from visiting someone who is lonely because they are not literally incarcerated in a "prison" for committing a crime, or not offering a place to stay for someone who is a friend or family member ( not a "stranger" ) who needs a place to live due to certain circumstances.
So as I see it, all of us believers make a personal choice as to what we see as fact and what we see as a metaphor...and I imagine that will change as there are more advances in science and changes in social norms.
In my opinion, if there is one "truth" in the bible, it should be to love one another, and to offer peace and comfort to the best of our abilities to everyone.
Thank you again for posting!
Wishing you well and peace.
Tim
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