Faith Meets Life: an Ongoing Tale - Problems when people think like gods
“That sounds very interesting. I can see that those stories of the creation, when they were written, would have been politically dangerous because they cut away the right of ancient Egyptian rulers to oppress people. But how are these creation stories true, or even just a little relevant, for today?” Jeff is quizzing Mitch, former chaplain at the college. Jeff notices that the creation stories in the Bible look irrelevant. They seem to describe a flat earth with water below it, and a domed sky with water above it (see last week's column).
Mitch responds, “You hit one of the important nails on the head. The ancient Egyptian view of the world and its gods supported the rulers as they enslaved conquered people. This seems to have tied in nicely with the idea that the role of human beings was to build homes suitable for their gods.”
It takes Jeff a moment to process this. “You mean all those incredible ancient temples, right? Built by slaves to house the images of the gods. That's quite a concept, and it makes sense that people back then thought that way. Ok, so what you are saying is that the creation stories in the Bible teach that people are not the slaves of gods, or of other people.”
“That's right. In fact, in the biblical story, all human beings are created in the image of God. We are all created to reflect God. If that's true, we are obliged to treat each other with respect, with dignity. No slavery. But also no exploitation of plant workers, college teachers, summer students, immigrants, the women of Moldova who are sold into the sex trade, or student union hourly staff.”
“I see,” Jeff says, thinking a moment. “But what about the environment? People are arrogant, paving over the planet and polluting the seas, and so forth.”
“People have used the Bible story of creation that way, but it's quite a misuse. From the biblical creation stories it is easier to conclude that people are meant to be stewards, responsible caretakers as they rule. We are not to abuse the world, but to rule it constructively.”
“Really? I've never heard that before.”
“Well, we should have had lunch sooner then.”
“But one last question,” Jeff said. “What about God? Where does he fit in with this picture of creation?”
“You and I are supposed to be able to talk to him freely and plainly. And we are supposed to be able to understand him plainly too.”
“No way! Really? So, why is that conversation not happening? Did I do something to make God annoyed?”
“Did you tell one of your classmates to go to hell this morning?”
“Do you mean that God isn't speaking to me because I told a guy off?”
“That's one way of looking at it. After all, that guy is no less a human being worth respect and dignity than you. There might be a few other things too. But in any case, you can re-open your line with God.”
“I don't think I'm ready for that today.”
“Well, maybe tomorrow then.”
“You're just joking, right? Tell me you are just kidding.”
To be continued.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Mitch responds, “You hit one of the important nails on the head. The ancient Egyptian view of the world and its gods supported the rulers as they enslaved conquered people. This seems to have tied in nicely with the idea that the role of human beings was to build homes suitable for their gods.”
It takes Jeff a moment to process this. “You mean all those incredible ancient temples, right? Built by slaves to house the images of the gods. That's quite a concept, and it makes sense that people back then thought that way. Ok, so what you are saying is that the creation stories in the Bible teach that people are not the slaves of gods, or of other people.”
“That's right. In fact, in the biblical story, all human beings are created in the image of God. We are all created to reflect God. If that's true, we are obliged to treat each other with respect, with dignity. No slavery. But also no exploitation of plant workers, college teachers, summer students, immigrants, the women of Moldova who are sold into the sex trade, or student union hourly staff.”
“I see,” Jeff says, thinking a moment. “But what about the environment? People are arrogant, paving over the planet and polluting the seas, and so forth.”
“People have used the Bible story of creation that way, but it's quite a misuse. From the biblical creation stories it is easier to conclude that people are meant to be stewards, responsible caretakers as they rule. We are not to abuse the world, but to rule it constructively.”
“Really? I've never heard that before.”
“Well, we should have had lunch sooner then.”
“But one last question,” Jeff said. “What about God? Where does he fit in with this picture of creation?”
“You and I are supposed to be able to talk to him freely and plainly. And we are supposed to be able to understand him plainly too.”
“No way! Really? So, why is that conversation not happening? Did I do something to make God annoyed?”
“Did you tell one of your classmates to go to hell this morning?”
“Do you mean that God isn't speaking to me because I told a guy off?”
“That's one way of looking at it. After all, that guy is no less a human being worth respect and dignity than you. There might be a few other things too. But in any case, you can re-open your line with God.”
“I don't think I'm ready for that today.”
“Well, maybe tomorrow then.”
“You're just joking, right? Tell me you are just kidding.”
To be continued.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
