Andrew Sullivan links to this for our consideration:
In authoring scripture, Origen argues, God has deliberately planted all sorts of interpretive obstacles: problems, difficulties, mistakes, morally objectionable stories, and so forth. These manifold obstacles lead us to press beneath the surface of the text and to search more deeply for its spiritual meaning. Such spiritual exegesis isn’t just a scholarly technique. It requires ascetic purification, the spiritual transformation of the reader. So the problems in scripture…are planted there by God to lead us into the depths of spiritual life, just as a wise teacher might plant mistakes in a class discussion in order to lead the class, gently and unobtrusively, towards the truth.
He doesn’t say whether he cites it approvingly, but knowing him, it’s probably a safe bet. So Origen anticipated the dinosaur-fossils-as-test-of-faith rationale that long ago, huh? That’s impressive. But I mostly enjoyed the use of the term “exegesis” in this context. To paraphrase Inigo Montoya, I think you mean a different word.
February 11, 2013 @ 11:56 pm
Given that failure to interpret the wonders of The Lord correctly means, in most traditions, that siad Lord will torture our immortal souls horribly for eternity, somehow I do not find the snide joy Origen so knowingly mumbles about.
I keep thinking of Deepspace Nine and their religious enemies when I read his name.
February 12, 2013 @ 1:21 am
As I recall, Origen is the one who made himself a eunuch for the kingdom of heaven in accordance with Matthew 19:12. If ever there were a bible verse in need of questioning, you'd think it would be one telling you to castrate yourself.
February 12, 2013 @ 9:19 pm
Equanimity
Does away with emotion.
Does snow erase earth?
February 12, 2013 @ 10:47 pm
Damnit, I meant for that to go with the Stoicism post.
As far as the Old Testament goes, they lost me with Abraham being willing to murder his son. Indefensible.
February 12, 2013 @ 11:03 pm
But but…it's an allegory describing how the Lord eliminated human sacrifice. Just like all the genocides and killing of children were because the enemy tribes were irredeemably EVILLLL, man. Which the Omniscient part of the Great Three Omnis knew, so be quiet, worm of a human!
February 13, 2013 @ 3:06 pm
You forgot to mention that it's the definitive example of obedience to a disembodied voice. That orders violence. Yeah.