THE ROBERT W. WHITAKER ARCHIVE

AN EDUCATED MAN KNOWS HIS BIBLE, BUT... | 2003-10-04

Jesus never once criticized anybody for not reading the Bible enough. In fact, one of the two people in his parables who went to Hell knew the Bible inside and out, backwards and forwards.

The proud Priest of the Temple, the Jew of Jews, who stood proudly before the altar was condemned to Hell, whereas the humble sinner who was in the shadows was saved. But according to all the Bible literalists I hear, if you are a good Jew and you read the Old Testament enough, you go to Heaven.

Jesus said, "No man goes to the Father but by me."

But who cares about that? It's not in the Old Testament.

When it comes to Jesus, there is one huge difference between me and a real theologian. Jesus often said "It is written." A theologian thinks Jesus said that because only what was written by a Jewish scholar was a Real Authority to Jesus.

I think Jesus quoted things that were written only when what was written said what Jesus wanted to say.

I don't think Jesus ever needed anybody's Authority but His own.