Interpreting the Bible, Christian Mysticism and Gnosticism
Over at Split This Wood, Br. Jay posted an message about the compatibility of Christian mysticism and Gnosticism. In the comments he added that he found many passages in the Hebrew Bible repulsive. Here are my comments:-
Hi Jay,
I include a chapter on Gnostic Bible interpretation in my new book. I see the Gnostics as using two different methods to reinterpret the OT--inverse exegesis, in which the imortance of a biblical figure or story is altered to give a new reading of a story which is more compatible with Gnostic values--and allegorical interpretation which reads biblical passages as encoding references to the Gnostic myth or to the spiritual structure of mankind. The Gnostics used these interpretive methods because they couldn't accept the seemingly cruel God of the Hebrew Bible, and were opposed to the orthodox religions based on the Bible.
But Christians also reinterpret the Bible. Many episodes are seen as typologically prefiguring the coming of Christ. Huge swathes of the Hebrew Bible (for example, all the ritual law) are actually rejected. Rabbinical Judaism also reinterpeted the Hebrew Bible, filling in gaps, reinterpreting Jewish law after the destruction of the Temple,
So I don't think that there's anything wrong with adjusting, allegorizing or rejecting sections of the Bible--everyone does it, and I'm postmodern enough to realize that when we study the Bible it alwatys involves an encounter of reader and text.
As to whether Christian mysticism is compatible with Gnosticism, I would say that Gnosticism isn't really compatible with any mainstream church--Orthodox, Roman Catholic or any of the protestant churches. If you are a Christian mystic within any of those traditions then I believe that you have to follow the central doctrine of the particular church. But if you want to follow Christian mysticism outside of the established churches, then I should think that all that is required is that Christ should be central to your life.
This isn't the case with me. I don't call myself a Christian because though I might acknowledge Jesus as very spiritually developed, or even as a revealer or redeemer, he is not central to my spiritual viewpoint. I usually tell people that I don't call myself a Gnostic, but I'm happy for other people to call me that, but I'm moving a bit closer to identifying myself as a Gnostic now.
Hi Jay,
I include a chapter on Gnostic Bible interpretation in my new book. I see the Gnostics as using two different methods to reinterpret the OT--inverse exegesis, in which the imortance of a biblical figure or story is altered to give a new reading of a story which is more compatible with Gnostic values--and allegorical interpretation which reads biblical passages as encoding references to the Gnostic myth or to the spiritual structure of mankind. The Gnostics used these interpretive methods because they couldn't accept the seemingly cruel God of the Hebrew Bible, and were opposed to the orthodox religions based on the Bible.
But Christians also reinterpret the Bible. Many episodes are seen as typologically prefiguring the coming of Christ. Huge swathes of the Hebrew Bible (for example, all the ritual law) are actually rejected. Rabbinical Judaism also reinterpeted the Hebrew Bible, filling in gaps, reinterpreting Jewish law after the destruction of the Temple,
So I don't think that there's anything wrong with adjusting, allegorizing or rejecting sections of the Bible--everyone does it, and I'm postmodern enough to realize that when we study the Bible it alwatys involves an encounter of reader and text.
As to whether Christian mysticism is compatible with Gnosticism, I would say that Gnosticism isn't really compatible with any mainstream church--Orthodox, Roman Catholic or any of the protestant churches. If you are a Christian mystic within any of those traditions then I believe that you have to follow the central doctrine of the particular church. But if you want to follow Christian mysticism outside of the established churches, then I should think that all that is required is that Christ should be central to your life.
This isn't the case with me. I don't call myself a Christian because though I might acknowledge Jesus as very spiritually developed, or even as a revealer or redeemer, he is not central to my spiritual viewpoint. I usually tell people that I don't call myself a Gnostic, but I'm happy for other people to call me that, but I'm moving a bit closer to identifying myself as a Gnostic now.
posted by Andrew Phillip Smith at 2:24 AM
1 Comments:
I think you make a very important point. Every religious group reinterprets their scriptures. Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Gnostic traditions have reinterpreted their predecessors writings, and even while actively engaging their own scriptures, will look at them in new lights.
You also make a valid point about respecting mainstream religious traditions-they have their beliefs and structures, and Gnostics are pretty different in their approach, though I think there can be genuine and deep dialogue between the two, considering many common roots. Thank you for your insightful response! (BTW cannot wait till your latest book is released in the US)
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