Beautiful post. It didn’t ruin anything. I do love understanding the nativity in the widest context, from the historical to the mythical. Such stories deepen my faith.
I read that book also and this really resonated with me also. Makes so much more sense. I do believe here in the USA we have often mistranslated many parts of the Bible because we do not know the traditional Middle Eastern customs and words. Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit of God living within us to guide us to the truth.
I will need to get Bailey’s book. It totally makes sense that Middle Eastern audiences would see the story differently due to local customs at the time. I’ve had Middle Eastern friends who describe their cultural beliefs about care for family members in situations like Joseph and Mary find themselves. The attitudes are acceptance and care for the family even if overcrowded. The description of the one room stone structure matches what I have read described as you have here. I’m not sure where I read the description of houses.
You and others make valid and valuable points that the point of the narrative is God is among us.
I have never felt the discrepancies changed this essential message.
I also read that first chapter in the book you mentioned and found it satisfying. It does make more sense in the description of the way things were at that time and place. There is certainly nothing wrong with changing our views as we learn new things. Thanks for the interesting post.
I struggle with a metaphorical explanation because if we start saying everything is metaphorical and there was no real Jesus then the entire belief system seems to fall apart for me. If it isn’t real, then why believe it? Maybe some people are okay with that, but I personally am not.
I’d rather use the eye witness explanation and the understanding that writers were focusing on different aspects of the same story for their intended audiences.
We are so quick to want to pull all the details apart and dissect them in the West. Whereas the Middle Eastern audience would have been asking different questions understanding that the point of the narrative was to tell us about God.
Beautiful post. It didn’t ruin anything. I do love understanding the nativity in the widest context, from the historical to the mythical. Such stories deepen my faith.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I read that book also and this really resonated with me also. Makes so much more sense. I do believe here in the USA we have often mistranslated many parts of the Bible because we do not know the traditional Middle Eastern customs and words. Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit of God living within us to guide us to the truth.
Agreed! And now that research is easier than ever I want to try and understand as much as I can.
Yes, completely understand.
I will need to get Bailey’s book. It totally makes sense that Middle Eastern audiences would see the story differently due to local customs at the time. I’ve had Middle Eastern friends who describe their cultural beliefs about care for family members in situations like Joseph and Mary find themselves. The attitudes are acceptance and care for the family even if overcrowded. The description of the one room stone structure matches what I have read described as you have here. I’m not sure where I read the description of houses.
You and others make valid and valuable points that the point of the narrative is God is among us.
I have never felt the discrepancies changed this essential message.
Thank you for sharing this information.
Yes! His book is wonderful.
I also read that first chapter in the book you mentioned and found it satisfying. It does make more sense in the description of the way things were at that time and place. There is certainly nothing wrong with changing our views as we learn new things. Thanks for the interesting post.
This is really good; I have learned something new today, thanks to you - and Kenneth :)
Thank you!
You are welcome!
Really insightful post! Thank you
You are welcome! Thanks for reading.
I struggle with a metaphorical explanation because if we start saying everything is metaphorical and there was no real Jesus then the entire belief system seems to fall apart for me. If it isn’t real, then why believe it? Maybe some people are okay with that, but I personally am not.
I’d rather use the eye witness explanation and the understanding that writers were focusing on different aspects of the same story for their intended audiences.
We are so quick to want to pull all the details apart and dissect them in the West. Whereas the Middle Eastern audience would have been asking different questions understanding that the point of the narrative was to tell us about God.