Despite conservative Christians’ claims to the contrary, there are literally dozens (if not even hundreds) of dramatically different ways we can interpretation the Scriptures without sacrificing their face-value accuracy or innate holiness … And in truth, about the only thing biblical scholars agree upon is the fact that to this day no one knows for certain which interpretational method (much less which literal interpretation) of the Bible’s ancient manuscripts is the most accurate … And so we are all – conservative & progressive & unbeliever alike – left to puzzle over & wonder about the “actual” contents of the ever-mysterious Word of God.

Fortunately, however, there is a very simple method available to all that can be used to determine – if not which interpretation is the True One, then at the very least which interpretation comes closest to the all-Loving (Matthew 5:48) and all-merciful (Isaiah 25:6-8, John 5:22, 1 John 4.18 & Luke 6.36) “Will of God”.  And this most-practical method is known as the “Fruits of the Tree” test …  Indeed, as any “good Christian” knows, the Bible itself tells us that “The Word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and that we must therefore test the many different interpretations of the Scriptures to see which ones bear the best “Fruits” (see 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Matthew 7:15-20, Luke 12:57, John 7:24, Romans 7:22, 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 4:1), and thereby know which ones are the more true reflections of the all-Loving will of Jesus’ all-Loving Father in Heaven (see Galatians 5:22-23 & Matthew 5:48).
With this all in mind, let us examine the over-arching Fruits of the two very different over-arching interpretations of the Scriptures that were shared in this discussion …
Fruit #01) The standard conservative Christian interpretation of the Bible gives us a “Heaven above” with only one mansion – a mansion with many rooms, and yet a mansion reserved for only those who have been “saved” (according to the teachings of Paul).  Everyone else – mortal sinners (unrepentant and repentant alike), believers in other gods &/or followers of other religions, and even actively devout Followers of The Way of Christ like myself – will all be cast forth from this mansion; condemned to spend the rest of eternity suffering in Hell …

 

In contrast, the (at least according to the Bible) equally valid interpretation that I have offered herein has every single one of us (be it on our deathbeds or in an “afterlife”) reaping only what we sow (experiencing suffering commensurate with every selfish sin we have chosen for ourselves, and knowing Joy proportionate to every selfless service we have given to others) before then ultimately being welcomed into the ever-open arms of an all-Loving Father thereafter (e.g. the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32).  This interpretation champions a God whose Grace is far greater than my own, and a Love that is truly “perfect” — just as full & unconditional Jesus says it is (see Matthew 5:48 + John 5:22 + Luke 6:36).

“In my Father’s House
there are an enormous plentitude [Strong’s #483]
of dwelling places.” ~ Jesus (John 14:2)

Fruit #02) The typical conservative Christian interpretation of the Bible shows a God whose Forgiveness is limited to only those who worship Him appropriately – leaving billions of others to be shunned for an eternity of torment, simply because they (often inadvertently) chose to not satisfy His petty demands for full-on adoration.

 

In contrast, the equally valid interpretation that I have proffered herein has everyone – again, after reaping only what they have sown – being ultimately forgiven for their transgressions.  This alternative not only obviously bears the better Fruit, it also makes the most sense – for if we are commanded to become “humble as a child” and to forgive everyone completely & infinitely (as Jesus quite clearly tells us in Matthew 18:3-4 & Matthew 18:21-22), then surely God’s Humility & God’s Forgiveness can be no less.

 

“Not merely seven times [must you forgive], but seventy times seven^* times … Be merciful, just as your heavenly Father is merciful.” ~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:22 & Luke 6:36)

^* with 70 meaning “everyone” (the seventy nations of humanity mentioned in Genesis 10), and 7 meaning “perfectly” (the commonly understood meaning of that number for the Jews of Jesus’ day)

 

Fruit #03) Finally, the typically conservative Christian interpretation of the Bible shows a God whose Love is given conditionally only to the very few – with Him brazenly turning a cold shoulder & a hardened heart upon billions of “mortal sinners” & “unbelievers” who would otherwise know His affections & who would otherwise share His eternal company.

 

In contrast, the equally valid interpretation I have championed in this thread has God’s LOVE raining down upon all sentient beings in perpetuity – upon every unjust dictator as well as every noble freedom fighter; upon every unrepentant sinner as well as every righteous Follower; upon every blasphemous heretic as well as every devout believer.  It is a LOVE so great that it is described as a “mystery” (Romans 11:33-36) – as “Grace upon Grace” (John 1:16) – and as absolute “perfection” (Matthew 5:48); a LOVE without any condition or expectation or hope or flaw.  For indeed, if we ourselves are commanded by Christ to Love in this very manner (see Matthew 5:44-47 & Luke 6:29-36), how can God’s own LOVE be any less?
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be Children of your Father in Heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.  For if you merely love those who love you, what reward do you have? … Be perfect [in Love], therefore, just as [the Love of] your heavenly Father is perfect.” ~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:44-48)

 

In closing, while I am not at all sure that I am right and conservative Christians are wrong – while it is indeed clear to me that there are indeed quite a few verses in the Bible that evidence a God whose discrimination is absolute and whose demands are without mercy (and thus whose Love is far less than “perfect”), there are just as many verses showing just the opposite – a gentle heavenly Father of undying mercy, infinite forgiveness and unconditional LOVE … I might very well be mistaken in choosing to err on the side of literally adhering to the teachings of Jesus and thereby honoring such a “greater God”, and yet doing so clearly bears the far better Fruit, and I thus do so without worry or hesitation …

 

Filed under: Burnishing Bigotry by Scaughdt