Different Points of View

I was discussing interpretation of the Bible last night over a glass of wine. It was interesting to hear the views of those who had never studied theology and those who had spent years studying that. There are many ways to read the Bible and some of them are more commonly used than others. There is the literal way to read everything that was written more than 2000 years ago. There is also the mythic way to see the stories of the Old Testament. Neither way negates the validity of what is written, they are simply different points of view. They are a different way to read the same words that are written.

I was also speaking about reading the ideas of women or any of the stories in the New Testament. When I read them, I read them from the point of view of a 21st century, feminist raised women who loves speaking and teaching. There was a point in my life when I considered ordained ministry to be a part of my life, but not anymore. Regardless of that fact, that is something else that changes the way I read, the way I read between the lines.

I know that I have a bias when I read. I realize that and recognize it. I don't try and say that my opinion is unbiased. It's not. It comes from an independent woman who feels that she has the right to have a voice in the church she is a part of, who feels that she was created equal to any man. In recognizing my bias, I am also recognizing the bias of those around me. I know that everyone has their own unique bias that comes from the experiences that they have had in their lives. They are formed by what they know in the same way I am formed by what I know.

It's the same as when you go to an art gallery. Two people can look at the same work of art and see two very different things. I experience this when I went to the AGO earlier this year and was attempting to make a friend see my castle in a Monet painting. He didn't see it until we were walking out and then it made perfect sense. I suspect that this happens often in people's lives. We can look at something, but be confined by what we think it looks like from the very beginning. Once we have formed our own thoughts, it is difficult to change our minds. We close our eyes to different possibilities and stop trying to see what someone is calling us to see. It is only when we turn around and see something unexpected that we can truly look at something in a new way.

There's a saying that you can never judge someone until you've walked a mile in his moccasins. I suppose that would be a uniquely Canadian saying, but it still holds true. We cannot attempt to force someone to see our point of view, because they can't, just as we cannot see theirs. There are some days when you can come close, but there is nothing to match the true experience of living a life every day. We have our different points of view and we have our biases. When we are able to recognize that and acknowledge them, that is when we can come to a more open and honest dialogue with those around us. When we can admit to what we don't see, or choose not to, then we can debate and learn more, not only about the world around us, but ourselves.

Regardless of whether you choose to read in the mythic or literalist tradition, there are different points of view. Sometimes they are hard to see, sometimes you have to walk around in someone elses moccasins for awhile, but it's worth it to see what you otherwise couldn't.