Originally posted by ivanhoeYour interpretation af the dilemma stand from a sociological point of view. Teaching society about the wrongness of human or animal sacrifices by example... in the end god does stop Abraham ... but in my opinion thats not the point of the story.
Cultural evolution.
In my view the Abraham story of slaughtering his son has to do with the widespread practise in human society at that time of human sacrifice. The story is about God putting and end to that practise. Instead of human he asks for an animal sacrifice. It is one step in the proces of civilisation mankind has to go. Later the animal sacrif ...[text shortened]... n God, otherwise it would not have been a step forward but a step backwards in civilisation.
The dilemma is about having faith in an almighty god or, does Abraham love god more then his own son, and when that faith is tested in the ultimate way ... Abraham does follow the rule of god and is prepared to kill his own son.
So although this might be a lesson about the wrongness of sacrifices, at least god is not the teacher who points the right way... above all obedience to him is more important then thinking for yourself because, apparently, Abraham had not plans sacrificing his son ... but he did after god told him to.
Besides, human sacrificing was far less widespread then you stated, even in those days. Some cultures in the middle east did have human sacrifices but it wasn't as commonplace troughout the entire Mesopotamian civilizations like you assume.
Although the explanation you bring forward looks valid, I am not convinced its gods lesson to mankind not to sacrifice your children .. or anybody else for that matter. It is a test of obedience.
Originally posted by pcaspianI accept your explanation of the story. It is a widely accepted one. But isn't it true that the Bible can be read on different levels ? Of course that doesn't prove my interpretation is correct, but it does offer an interesting anthropological and sociological panorama.
Originally posted by ivanhoe
[b]Cultural evolution.
In my view the Abraham story of slaughtering his son has to do with the widespread practise in human society at that time of human sacrifice. The story is about God putting an ...[text shortened]... the symbolism of the sacrifise even more pertinant.
cheers
Originally posted by NicolaiS
Your interpretation af the dilemma stand from a sociological point of view. Teaching society about the wrongness of human or animal sacrifices by example... in the end god does stop Abraham ... but in my opinion thats not the point of the story.
The dilemma is about having faith in an almighty god or, does Abraham love god more then his own son, and whe ...[text shortened]... ot to sacrifice your children .. or anybody else for that matter. It is a test of obedience.
I agree, but as you can read in my previous post we can read the Bible on different levels and in doing so it offers us interesting perspectives.
If I have my sanity...I would not lightly consider murder but it is possible that such an act would become a possiblity. I hope never to have to make such a choice. Here's some food for thought:
However, there was a Man of Faith, Dietrich Bonhoffer who was born in Germany who became an opponent of facism. He left Germany and went to London where he became embroiled in an attempt to assisinate Hitler. The attempt failed. Bonhoffer was lodged at Buchenwald Prison and executed in April of 1945. He was a theologian and a pastor.
When asked how he could do such a thing as conspire and attempt murder, he responded that he could not allow the evil that was facism to go on even though it required breaking a commandment. That ultimately he would have to be responsible to God for his choice and accept whatever punishment would be given. (Much paraphrased)
Originally posted by kirksey957Well, we ain't quotin' Bible verses or nothin' over there,
Hey, y'all while you all is a talkin away we got a miracles a happenin in the general forum under "Ivory Tower." Betta check it out. Ya missin out on da real deal.
so they might not even rekonize it fo' what it is.