Leviticus and Luke, Part IV: Legalism and Compassion

The laws in Leviticus 18-19 are a mixed bag. They concern, among other things, sexual relations, clothing, proper conduct toward the poor, and what to do when someone sheds animal blood improperly. I look in amazement at the hypocrisy of self-professed biblical literalists who quote 18:22 (the ban on homosexual intercourse) yet commit fraud (in violation of 19:13) or do not think twice about wearing polyester garments (in violation of 19:19).

Context is crucial. In regard to the question of homosexuality, the concept of homosexual orientation did not exist at the time, so such intercourse was considered unnatural. Also, it could never lead to procreation. But neither can sexual relations between a husband and his post-menopausal wife. So, is that also wrong?

Priests could wear garments made of two or more types of cloth–and they did (Exodus 28:6 and 39:29). So lay people were not supposed to do so, except at the fringes of garments, according to Numbers 15:37-40. Nevertheless, an allegedly unnatural mixture of people or cloth or even cattle or seeds (Leviticus 19:19) was taboo, except when it was not. How many of you, my readers, have a vegetable garden with more than one type of plant growing in it? Are you thereby sinning? Are your polyester garments–certainly unnatural mixtures–sinful?

I avoid such hypocrisy by not being a biblical literalist or claiming to be one. So I quote science, consider historical contexts, and throw out some laws while retaining others for use in the twenty-first century Common Era. Defrauding people is bad. Forcing’s one’s daughter into prostitution is clearly wrong. And one should respect one’s elders. But are vegetable gardens and polyester suits sinful?

As I ponder the readings from the Gospel of Luke I notice the thread of the importance of caring for each other. The stranger is my neighbor, and the person I might despise due to his group identity might be a hero or heroine. We must forgive each other. If this proves difficult, we must take that issue to God, who can empower us to forgive. People matter more than rules about cloth combinations or animal blood.

Do I pick and choose what to affirm in the Bible? Of course I do! Does not the Letter to the Hebrews override much of the Law of Moses? Did not Jesus countermand parts of the letter of that law code? As a Christian, I have the New Testament and the Old one. And, as a thinking human being, I have access to scientific, psychological, psychiatric, and sociological knowledge which did not exist in biblical times. So read about Jesus exorcising demons and interpret it as him curing epilepsy or some other illness with organic causes. While doing this I focus on principles more than on details. One of these principles is that Jesus taught compassion, not legalism. So, if I am to follow him, I must live accordingly.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JUNE 14, 2012 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT BASIL THE GREAT, FATHER OF EASTERN MONASTICISM

THE FEAST OF SAINT METHODIUS I, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE

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Adapted from this post:

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/devotion-for-the-twenty-sixth-twenty-seventh-and-twenty-eighth-days-of-easter-lcms-daily-lectionary/

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BLOGA THEOLOGICA THOUGHTS FROM THE INTERSECTION OF ANGLICANISM, LUTHERANISM, AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM

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