Searching for the Truth
The Bible’s data may not be exact, but it is still a book of truth that should be read, studied and respected. The Bible has myth-like qualities. Conscientious students of The Old Fool’s generation had little use for myths believing them to be entirely false.
A myth is an ancient story with data that cannot be proved by research. Even though its data cannot be substantiated, a myth may still be a mine of truth. As an octogenarian The Old Fool gives myths his respect. Again, says The Old Fool, he takes the Bible seriously, but he will not let his present view of the Bible keep him from lifelong learning.
When The Old Fool studied a section of the Bible seriously to make discoveries for himself, he read through it quickly to view the passage as a whole. To get the particulars of the passage he read it again more slowly, and aloud.
Note accurately what the Bible says
If the passage was familiar, he took the pain to write it down and pay special attention to repetition, contrasts, progression of ideas, sequence of events, the places and people mentioned, and to the connecting words like “if,” “as,” “and,” and “but.”
The Old Fool was not searching for facts, but trying to grasp the truth in the story. By giving close attention to the familiar words of John 3:16, The Old Fool understood that God loved the world before sending Jesus.
In the next post The Old Fool will invite his audience to take a giant leap in time to the beginning as in a myth.
