Different aspects of Christianity are handled differently. Some are considered “well defined” by the Bible. Some are “assumed true” even though we cannot fully comprehend them. Some are “tolerated” as paradoxical since both the one and the other hands are found in the Scriptures. And some are left as “things not to be asked” or “ill-posed” questions.
Topics such as the Trinity, Baptism, the existence of Evil are debated between Christian and non-Christian but also between Christian and “Christian”. Some Christians even go so far as to claim that certain beliefs about these topics are “wrong enough” as to bring the holder’s status as a “true Christian” into question. But everyone points to Scripture as the basis of their belief so it really comes down to interpretation.
I’ve read elsewhere and been taught that it is hermeneutically correct (and, indeed, necessary) to not base any doctrine or theological stance on certain Scriptures that put forth an idea which is opposed, and more voluminously so, elsewhere. So, there are “orphaned” verses, so to speak, that are not part of any doctrine, dogma, theology, etc. Well, at least “mainstream” doctrine, dogma, theology — however that is defined.
If these verses are to be ignored and treated as irrelevant to any disucssion then why are they part of the Scriptures? Remember that we are talking about the inerrant, inspired Word of God. Are they artifacts of a dead-end plot point? Are they remnants of God’s first draft of theology — a first draft that didn’t quite “work”? Or, are they glimpses of alternate “theologies” which are valid but other than the “popular” ones touted by our theologeans.
Might these alternate theologies mesh better with world views other than our own, Western Christian view? And if they do, might that not lend some credence to them? And if that be the case, can we really dismiss then as “wrong”?
Just a thought …
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