Real Old?

I overheard two women talking in an office the other day and this is what one of them said:  "She was old, real old, maybe 45 or 50."

Gulp.

Now I have no idea what the context of their conversation was, but naturally, that sounded ridiculous to me; then I started thinking.  What if someone was talking about their twenty-something daughter dating an older guy of 45-50.  I can see where, in that situation, you might describe him as real old, as in way too old to be dating my daughter.

Context is important.  That's why when Catholics read scripture, they make sure they pay very close attention to context.  Who is speaking and who are they speaking to?  These things are very important in understanding scripture, because greater emphasis might be placed differently, depending on whether the speaker is talking to a Greek, a Gentile or a Jewish person.

I'm no scripture scholar--not by a long shot--but it always amazes me how often those who have never investigated the ins and outs of scripture speak as if they are experts.  Be careful about listening to them.  You might like what they have to say, but they may lead you down a path of misunderstanding and error.  

But don't take my word for it.

Here's what Paul had to say to Timothy about this very subject, oh so many centuries ago:

"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths." (2 Timothy, Chapter 4)

Clearly, this problem from way back then remains a problem for us today.

One thing I know for sure - there is great wisdom in the bible and much of it can be universally applied over many generations.  The fact is, it isn't just a bunch of outdated old stuff.  Just look at the people around us.  Do you really think we have improved so much that we no longer need lessons about sin, materialism, selfishness, adultry and so forth?  Do you think it is safe for us to ignore these words of caution?

But be careful here, because beyond all that, the bible--the inspired Word of God--is God revealing himself to us.  Don't look at the bible as an instruction book of what we should and should not do. As compiled, it is a love letter from our Creator reflecting the many and varied ways he calls us into friendship with him, leading us eventually to eternal life.

I must mention that scripture goes hand-in-hand with Sacred Tradition ("Sacred or apostolic tradition consists of the teachings that the apostles passed on orally through their preaching." The bible itself does not stand alone, separate from Tradition, for to not recognize this is to miss a tremendous, other source of revelation from God.

If you want to study scripture, be sure to find a sound source, not just the guy who talks the loudest or most sweetly.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.com
#bible
#context