Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ginosko!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!apple!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: convex!concave!cash@uunet.uu.net (Peter Cash) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Breaking free of a literalistic interpretation of the Bible Message-ID: Date: 7 Oct 89 23:16:11 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Convex Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx. Lines: 25 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [In article mike@spock.ucar.edu (Mike Daniels) described his background in the Church of God - Anderson, IN. He has come back to Christianity as an adult, after having dropped out, but is unable to accept the '"literalistic" interpretations of the Bible by the Fundamentalists.' He was interested in any books that would help him break free from this. --clh] Mike, You are wrong if you think that breaking free of legalism requires that you take the Bible "less literally". Legalism is the result of not reading the Bible literally enough; a careful reading of the deeds and words of Christ and the Apostles should demonstrate God's love and forgiveness, and not his condemnation. The feelings of guilt that you encounter when you try to ignore what the Bible says (and what else could it mean to take the words "less literally") are quite appropriate. Guilt can be a healthy thing, you know! I believe that you are reacting against what you THINK the Bible says, and these opinions were formed by what people told you about the Bible when you were a child. I think you were told wrong. Take up and read! Peter