Dear Cornel da Costa,
Thank your for your questions.
1.Bible is a religious book, rather a collection of 72 books. We find unity
in the long range of themes scattered in time and diversity of literary
forms. We attribute it to God's inspiration. As a book, written by human
authors under the 'inspiration' of God (not verbal/word-for-word
inspiration), it contains different literary genres. Like any other book,
this book has to be interpreted with right tools. There are canons of
literary interpretation. They have to be applied. Different exegetical
trends are being used today, along with the deep study of biblical languages
and of Eastern cultures. The Word of God emerges through regarding salvation
of humankind. It does not teach science, but relationship with God.
I said this in the context of the interpretation of Gn 2:21-23, where
God took the woman from Adam's/male's rib, which symbolically means that the
woman is fashioned from the man's own self to be 'helpmate or helpmeet' (or
'meet or fitting helper'), with equal basic human rights, and explains
sexual attraction between men and women. Mythopoeic thought expressed at
that time what we would put differently in our discursive way today.
Scientific exegesis follows all the new literary and hermeneutical trends of
interpretation.
2.I spoke of 'divine' logic in the context of the parable of Prodigal Son
(or rather of the Elder Son in Lk 15:11-32). The Gospel of Luke has three
parables to explain why Jesus would go to the sinners and to the despised
ones in the Jewish society. He wanted a renewed, integrated humanity. This
was in reply to the Pharisees. Jesus came for the vulnerable--this is
'divine logic'. Normal 'human logic' is to go to the strong, powerful, as we
know it from our own experience. There is a 'reversal of situations'.
Through the Elder Son's behaviour Jesus is depicting the attitude of the
Pharisees, who would find fault with Jesus for 'dining' with the 'low-caste'
people (cf.v.2). All are called to be children of God. This is God's saving
plan, put forth in the Bible.
Fr.Ivo
From: "CORNEL DACOSTA" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Goanet] Cafeteria-ism of Religion/Cafeteria-ism
ofreligiousinterpretation
Dear Fr Ivo
Re your post, please enlighten me as to what exactly is "scientific
biblical interpretation". Does it follow the cannons (sic) of modern
science? Also, what exactly is "divine logic" as opposed to mere human
logic?
Thanks
Cornel DaCosta
