Literary Forms and Religious Meaning: Ancient Hebrew View of Salvation Essay

Introduction

It is to be noted that gargantuan problems have arisen due to emphasis on the use of historical evidence and argument in the tradition rather than for the tradition when it comes to reading, interpreting and understanding the Bible. In the words of Borg (1999), “that myths and symbols are poetic and metaphorical and not to be understood as historically factual”.

It has been acknowledged that the book of Borg is the author’s experience of “unlearning” his literal understanding of the Bible from childhood in favour of a “historical-metaphorical” understanding derived from his 35 years of studying the Bible as an academic. Borg is an Episcopalian professor at Oregon State University who offers a readable and succinct introduction to biblical criticism, outlining the kinds of cultural, theological and historical lenses through which people read the Bible. Borg also explains how those readings affect their relation to God of which he presents both the “historical illumination of a text in its ancient context” and a metaphorical approach that enables readers or believers to see and affirm meanings that go beyond the particularity of what the texts meant in their historical setting (PW, 2001).

This approach to the Bible is applied by Borg from the creation stories to Revelation even as he advocates a journey from “pre-critical naiveté” or the period of acceptance that the Bible must be taken literally through “critical thinking” up to a degree of “post-critical naiveté” or a deeper acceptance that the Bible is true even if that truth does not rely on factuality (PW, 2001).

Discussion

The book of Isaiah relates to a period of some three hundred years where chapters 1-39 is set in the closing years of the Northern Kingdom when Judah was still relatively safe (NIV, 1985). Isaiah, at that time worked in Jerusalem preaching and warning about God’s wrath and judgment because of social injustices and religious hypocrisy while he advised dependence on God’s guidance and protection rather on political alliances with foreign nations.

Chapters 40-55 is about the Jewish exiles in Babylon where message centres on comfort on God’s new plans as He abandons punishment, pain and the past amongst His people (NIV, 1985).

The Bible from Isaiah 1-12 speaks of God’s lamentations and grief as the people of Israel have rebelled against him despite of burnt offerings and festivals as dirty deeds tainted men. God, through Isaiah summoned men to “learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow”.

Likewise, included in these chapters was the passage on a child being born and called Mighty God although the text also contains “he will reign on David’s throne” (516) of which many Jews until today literally look for.

Throughout, Isaiah recommended the end of evil deeds before the eyes of God

At chapters 40-55, Isaiah also referred to what Christians acknowledge as John the Baptist while at the same time pointing out the depth and mystery of what had been created for mankind, God’s greatness and never-ending support on mankind. He also presented God’s description of his chosen one, his gentleness, as the one who will establish justice on earth, Israel’s saviour despite Israel’s unfaithfulness.

Tilley (2004) pointed out that some persons may be in situations that render the convictions that shape their own faith incredible due to the marshalling of historical evidence, so that there is a continuing multiplication of gaps between faiths about salvation.

Conclusion

Isaiah has used metaphors as well as clear words in trying to point out salvation, through God’s chosen one, which had been an unwavering belief amongst Jews until today. But as Jews literally and sometimes figuratively refer to Isaiah’s words, Christians pointed out confusion, if not disillusion as Jesus did not came as a conqueror with might and power in mankind’s standard, as what Christians believe.

Gaps on beliefs will continue as wars rooting or blamed on religious differences continue amongst nations and states since time immemorial until today. It is therefore of much need that peoples of different races and states adhere to an understanding that goes beyond books, Biblical or otherwise, and maintain respect and peace amongst themselves as each and everyone tries to seek salvation in the realms of spirituality, beyond religious walls.

References

1. Borg, Marcus (1999). “Jesus and Buddhism: A Christian View.” Buddhist-Christian Studies 19 (1) 93-97
2. Borg, Marcus. (2002) Reading the Bible Again For the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally. HarperSanFrancisco.
3. Publishers Weekly (2001) Review. Cahners Business Information, Inc.
4. Tilley, Terrence (2004). History, Theology, and Faith: Dissolving the Modern Problematic. Orbis.