I think Greg blogged about this or, something similar, not long ago. I was watching Jon Stewart for a bit of sanity, and switched the channel to our local NBC affiliate. They were interviewing a local pastor on his interpretation of Revelations. Complete fundy interpretation. Revelations is about now, and any dumbass (my words) can interpret it. No counter voice suggesting that the book be read in a context of the early church, etc. No discussion about metaphors and how controversial the book was to many in Church history. Just a reinforcement of fundy theology. And they are the ones who are being persecuted, right?
Please don't tell me that Conservative Christians are somehow left out of the public square. This idiot jackass had unfettered access to the airwaves, and was interviewed by a dolt--2 cents worth or so. A dolt who couldn't even challenge this, because in OKC, the fundy interpretation is the only one. They would teach it in schools if they could.
Made me think of Holden Caufield (Catcher in the Rye) who, when observing something supposed to be religious (help me out here, it has been years) said, "Jesus would have puked."
Exactly.
3 comments:
This also brings to mind the cracking dialogue of Hannah and Her Sisters, as rendered by the great Max von Sydow. His character doesn't watch television much, and decides to give it another try: "You see the whole culture. Nazis, deodorant salesmen, wrestlers, beauty contests, a talk show. Can you imagine the level of a mind that watches wrestling? But the worst are the fundamentalist preachers. Third grade con men telling the poor suckers that watch them that they speak with Jesus, and to please send in money. Money, money, money! If Jesus came back and saw what's going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up."
Mmm hmmm. It's amazing how a heresy like the rapture, which 200 years ago didn't exist, is now THE interpretation. I still feel like I'm learning about these things though. Any recommended reading for an overview of historical church positions on eschatology?
Great quote, Anglican. Kevin, a great read on this subject is Paul Boyer's "When Time Shall Be No More."
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