Thursday, September 9, 2010

Creating God In My Image




Revisionism is in vogue these days. We revise history to fit our biases. We can also revise the very heart and soul of Jesus' intent by insisting on OUR way of doing life and religion. I've created a couple examples of gospel revisionism.

Jesus' words: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Revised version: " You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." I tell you to go for it, even if you end up blind and toothless. I tell you, resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, you don't have to take that from anybody--tap him out. And if someone wants to sue you, drag his butt into court before he can even spell "litigation." If someone forces you to go one mile kick your heels into the ground and his groin for two miles. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Remember, you will have the last laugh; payback shall be yours. After you have gotten revenge, rejoice and be glad because it feels so good here on earth and great is your reward in heaven."

Jesus' words: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Revised version: " You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' I tell you-- you have heard correctly. Hate your enemies and prey upon those who persecute you, that you may be pawns of your culture on earth. God causes his sun to rise on the good people and earthquakes and hurricanes to fall upon the evil ones. If you love those who hate you, where will that get you? What's the reward in that? And it is all about you, after all. And if you greet only your brothers it's a lot safer. Do not even pagans do that? Catch on!! Be perturbed, therefore, just as your heavenly Father is perturbed.
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2 comments:

Zach said...

Nice revisions:) You should contribute to this project:

http://www.conservapedia.com/Conservative_Bible_Project

Anonymous said...

Hey Steve, I lost ya but a kind person gave me the url again. I bookmarked it this time. shew
In reference to this post, I kept thinking about the game they play at summer camps. One person whispers something in the person's ear next to them. They in turn whisper the information into the ear of person next to them and on it goes around the circle. When it gets to the last person, it is never what was said originally. Selective perception and any number of things affect what a person truly hears or wants to hear. Humans are inately egocentric and self interested. They need to be in order to survive. However, parents teach children to be honest (not revise the truth) and to care about others as well as themselves. Our culture doesn't lend itself to that often. Pagans, religious, all people are taught what they know and emulate the behavior of those who come before them, usually.