|
In context
Off the
Wall
March
6, 2008
A number of weeks back I wrote a story whether two
words meant the same things accept and believe. I was looking
for yes or no answers. Most of my replies came as I had expected,
however, there were some people who responded, "It depends
on what context you are using the words." At that time,
I never gave it much thought. Since I got the one word answers,
I went with them and wrote my column.
Recently while expanding my education by listening
to CDs, the speaker kept referring to those two words in
context. HmmmIf something is misconstrued, it will either lead
people to false teachings or guide persons to misunderstandings.
Take the case of Joey and Kimmy. Every day when
Joey comes home from school, he likes to pick a fight with his
sister. Most the time he gets away with it even though she complains.
One day, he was caught in the act and told he was not allowed
to go outside and play with his friends. When one of them phoned
to ask Joey if he would like to play ball, he told his friend,
"I'm not allowed to play with you," and hung up the
phone.
What do you think was going through the mind of
his friend?
We are all familiar with the Declaration of Independence.
We have heard the words quoted many times. From it, we've listened
to the famous quotations: "We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that 'all men are created equal'" If that was so, we would
look alike, act alike, have the same IQs, class status, no one
would be blind or deaf and our skin color would be the same.
We would all be invalids or all totally healthy.
Is that what was meant in this document?
Not as I interpret it.
First of all it is very necessary to understand
why the Declaration of Independence was written. So we have to
delve into the history. Then we read its opening by Thomas Jefferson
and the whole sentence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by the
Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Changes things a
bit.
Recently, I have been studying the book of Revelations
in the Holy Scriptures. I find it a fascinating book, even though
many told me they won't even attempt to try to understand it
because it doesn't make sense to them. One acquaintance even
went so far as to tell share his ignorance by telling me it was
written by some drunk! Far from it!
The Bible is a very powerful book. It has two main
sections, the Old and New Testament. Both are tied to each other
explicitly. Explanation of scripture can only be understood
fully and properly if it is deciphered in context.
If one doesn't understand passages, and thus, makes
up theories of his own, and passes them along as true interpretations,
it is definitely a serious offense against God. Saying it can
be when it can't be is not the Gospel truth! Scripture must be
studied in such a way that the reader must begin at the start
of the chapter, study the passages to the verse referenced and
go beyond to get the whole picture. One should refer to other
scripture to substantiate God's inspired Word.
Joey will learn that he can't make up lies.
On the other hand, we, as adults, must pursue to strive for accuracy.
Only then, can we hold the truths to be self-evident.
Paul J. Volkmann
2/4/08
|