Literalism Leads to being Blind and Maimed

Nuance makes life interesting. In every conversation and interaction, it is nuance that leads also to a fuller understanding. Nuance isn’t easy to comprehend without interpretation. When it comes to the Holy Scriptures, nuance and context have led many astray from Christ one day only to lead them toward Christ another. We can’t blame the Scriptures. We must blame ourselves.

As Orthodox Christians we often hear teachings against Sola Scriptura when we defend concepts as the ever-virginity of the Mother of God. For centuries Protestants have stood up against many of the teachings of the Orthodox Church claiming our life has no basis in the Holy Scriptures. I often meet Christians who say, “If it isn’t in the Bible, I can’t believe it.” For me, that is a starting point to a great conversation. Consider today’s Gospel reading.

The Lord said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. For every one will be salted with fire and every sacrifice will be salted with salt. Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom was, he taught them.

Mark 9:42-50; 10:1

If you limit understanding the Scriptures using literalism, then there would be many blind and maimed Christians walking around. The Church would be making all parents walk the plank. There isn’t a single instance where a parent, or any adult, has gone through life without causing a child to sin. Still, we don’t throw adults overboard at the first chance we get. We don’t cut off our hands our pluck out our eyes. There must be more to what Christ is saying. We call that nuance.

In the context of this passage, salt and peace appear to be the key to understanding. Salt cures. Salt also brings out the natural flavor in food. Could Christ be suggesting that we seek a cure for our sin and search out the natural goodness that is inside our hearts? Too much salt, and food becomes inedible. Not enough salt, and it’s natural goodness is lost. You might say, “It would be better to throw the food away unsalted rather than to eat uncured meat.” This isn’t an encouragement to throw away perfectly good food, but a challenge to treat it properly.

Our lives shouldn’t be thrown away. They should be treated properly, and that is where ‘peace’ brings the nuanced understanding. Consider the relationship advice from Saint Paul in today’s Epistle reading.

Timothy, my son, in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble. If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work. So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

2^nd Timothy 2:20-26

When you combine both readings today, there is a nuanced understanding. Work WITH each other rather than against each other. Correct each other with gentleness rather than throwing them overboard. “God may perhaps grant that they will repent.”

In your interactions this week, consider the nuance and context of the lives you come in contact with. Rather than throwing them figuratively overboard, work with them with gentleness. When we have salt in ourselves, we are not only cured, but we reveal the natural goodness in our hearts for others to appreciate. Then we can be at peace with one another. The alternative is going through life blind and maimed.