ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THIS STRANGE AND SACRED SCRIPTURE
Chapter 4The R-Rated Bible
Discussion Questions
Aside from Jesus, how many characters in the Bible can you name who always did the right thing? Do these characters receive a lot of attention? Many Christians read the Bible on a regular basis. Talking about the book of Numbers, chapter 4 suggests that reading the Bible won’t always be an uplifting or inspiring experience. If inspiration isn’t the goal of reading the Bible, what is? Should children learn the Bible as-it-is, or should parts be censored until they are older? |
Above: Rembrandt's 1654 Bathsheba at Her Bath Holding David's Letter. Housed in the Louvre. See 2 Sam 11-12.
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A Quote to Contemplate
Regarding the last question, footnote 24 of chapter 4 contains an important quote:
“Many parents believe that only conscious reality or pleasant and wish-fulfilling images should be presented to children—that they should be exposed only to the sunny side of things. But such one-sided fare nourishes the mind only in a one-sided way, and real life is not all sunny” (Bettelheim, Uses of Enchantment, 7, alt. for gender inclusivity).
Is Bettelheim right? Why or why not?
Regarding the last question, footnote 24 of chapter 4 contains an important quote:
“Many parents believe that only conscious reality or pleasant and wish-fulfilling images should be presented to children—that they should be exposed only to the sunny side of things. But such one-sided fare nourishes the mind only in a one-sided way, and real life is not all sunny” (Bettelheim, Uses of Enchantment, 7, alt. for gender inclusivity).
Is Bettelheim right? Why or why not?
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Another Resource
Barton, John. Ethics in Ancient Israel. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. (Amazon)
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Next Chapter
Click here for a companion to Chapter 5.
Click here for a companion to Chapter 5.