tip of an iceberg (2)

i have to say, had the subject lasted a little longer, i would have falled in love with it! i know, such a big claim. throughout the seven meetings, the legacy left had always been a big question mark on the significant of the materials taught. mark and jennie baddeley were lovely, for their patience and interests in learning themselves and teaching the subject!

but i was convinced, surely though slowly, of the importance of history (church). first and foremost, as mentioned by the lecturers, history prevents us from suffering from an amnesia, knowing why you are what you are today. besides, when you don't understand much of history, you most probably will have a difficulty in understanding why church seems to side on particular standpoints than the other on certain issues. and since human being is limited to time and locality, history gives us perspectives on what issues that seem to be important at certain time and place in the history. in order words, it provides resources that allow you to break yourself up for a better end having come to an understanding and taking some considerations onboard when facing certain issues. these are good reasons to know a little/much of history.

apparently there's such thing as the perpendicular of possibilities of priorities placed toward in interpreting the Bible.

scripture ----------------- experience
! ignore this. ignore this. ignore*!
! ignore this. ignore this. ignore !
tradition -------------------- reason

i.e:
a charismatic would emphasis on experiences before the others,
a catholic on traditions,
a liberal on reasons,
an evangelical on the scripture itself.

this is barely scratching the surface, yet it's quite an eye opener! perhaps it's right to take time to ponder why (with/without us realising it) we seem to place certain emphasises than the scripture itself when it comes to forming our theology, although it's no doubt that the Holy Spirit Himself is guiding and giving the understanding. due to the limitations mentioned before, certain values are imminent in clouding our understanding as a consequence of one residing in a certain time and locality. such values influence our thinking of God.

* i hope you have an idea of how hard it is to create a perpendicular using this editor! after not-sure-how-many attempts already, i have to let it be per the above.