Layers

The Bible has layered meaning which means it is to be understood first as history.  This is the context used by archaeologists.  Does the narrative stand up well to what is known in the history of mankind?  It is important that we gain this balance in order to interpret the spiritual meaning.  Spiritual meaning emerges from the parables of truth in experience, as it was used by the prophets, but more clearly by Jesus.  Jesus did not violate earth’s logic based on nature’s evidences, sometimes called Greek logic.  The evidence is verifiable, and is basic to what we now identify as Scientific.  It is so striking and useful for earth knowledge that some persons presume it is the only pattern to follow.  It is believed by many that as the boundaries of knowledge are pressed forward that what we learn will fit the scientific structure.  Those who believe in God, God who is not limited to nature, must believe in something more fitted to life beyond human earth-focused mortality.  The most appealing religions relate the faith concept beyond nature. 

Earth’s concept, so magnificent for mortal mankind, is not fitted to advance spiritual knowledge that is not dependent upon physicality, time restraints, and earth elements.  The little we know, according to our faith in God, appears in revelation and that spiritual knowledge functions rather well in mankind’s earth experience.  It is in line with Biblical wisdom that there is understanding for holistic life in the leaders and principles of both divine and human kind.  For the individual the portion of nature’s participation ends in death.  In Christian faith, we must admit to mystery.  Scripture often refers to the mystery of God, but also makes effective participation in spiritual life (human) through faith.  Without faith the individual closes the personal opportunity to relate to God.  Christian faith is guided by Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and experience relating to prayer, instruction, worship, conscience, love and surrender to wisdom context. The wisdom context is to believe and do what God would have the Christian believe and do if God exists

Einstein thought the Bible to be simplistic so passed it off as unworthy of his continued attention.  Willing to permit arithmetic, to move to mathematics, geometry, trigonometry and onward, he was unwilling for Scripture to move from basics to eternity.  Einstein could never have gotten from 2+2 equals 4 to E=mc²        without basics.  Persons need to accept two important life factors: 1) they tend their own garden for order, or permit it get lost in a jungle, and 2) they respect and enjoy the gardens of others even when the choices of beauty and growth are different.  In freedom, one is not to be seen as better than the other.  If they are to be judged, it is God who is the only one competent to evaluate my freedom and contribution to his creation – that is to nature and mankind.  Normal life should be the same for both the Christian and the non-Christian.  The two should be considered and practiced in similar pattern.  It is the pattern of righteousness and it is the assignment for all normal persons.  If this were not true there are various Scripture passages that are lost to us.  If not true what do the words mean: Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people?  What is normalcy?  In nature, it is the same for all persons. We have met atheists who are better at it than some Christians.  The point of primary importance is not earth idealism, but what is needed to qualify for God’s family in the Kingdom of God.  The creator’s expected norm (right) for all persons is difficult to come by.  Christians are made aware that we are called to model the affirmations of Heaven. I want my life garden to look like Christ’s – if he were living my life.  Each factor to build one’s own way, and respect that of others holding affirmative values belongs to that gardener, and to be enjoyed by those visitors who drop in along the way to assist in the maintenance, pleasure, and accomplishments of all life.  There is righteous freedom, equality and love in it.  God gave Adam two commandments to fulfill earth life – to dress the (our) garden and know it.  If we followed implications, what a world we might conquer and triumph in Christian context.  Persons and nations are called to righteousness as the normal standard of world life in standards and conduct.  It is called righteousness and reflects on the human surface the meaning of the holiness of God.  It is a challenge for our formation for here and/or hereafter for right.