Scripture and Spirituality

[CognitiveArtist]

The relationship between scripture (religious texts) and spirituality has always interested me. How important is the 'accuracy' or 'precision' of scripture? Also does scripture have a special relationship to truth (or Truth)? I found an interesting piece on this topic by the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein discussing Christianity and the Danish religious man and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard:

Kierkegaard writes: If Christianity were so easy and cosy
(German: gemütlich), why should God in his Scriptures have set
Heaven and Earth in motion and threatened ETERNAL punishment?
Question: But in that case why is this Scripture so unclear? If
we want to warn someone of a terrible danger, do we go about it
by telling him a riddle whose solution will be the warning? - But
who is to say that the Scripture really is unclear? Isn't it
possible that it was essential in this case to 'tell a riddle'?
And that, on the other hand, giving a more direct warning would
necessarily have had the WRONG effect? God has FOUR people
recount the life of his incarnate Son, in each case differently
and with inconsistencies - but might we not say: It is important
that this narrative should not be more than quite averagely
historically plausible JUST SO THAT this should not be taken as
the essential, decisive thing? So that the LETTER should not be
believed more strongly than is proper and the SPIRIT may receive
its dure. I.e.what you are supposed to see cannot be
communicated even by the best and most accurate historian; and
THEREFORE a mediocre account suffices, is even to be
preferred. For that too can tell you what you are supposed to be
told. (Roughly in the way a mediocre stage set can be better
than a sophisticated one, painted trees better than real ones, -
because these might distract attention from what matters.) The
Spirit puts what is essential, essential for your life, into
these words. The point is precisely that you are only SUPPOSED to
see clearly what appears clearly even in THIS representation. (I
am not sure how far all this is exactly in the spirit of
Kierkegaard.)

(source)

Is there a concern with scripture that it, the medium, will become the focal point instead of the message? Is there a case of the tail wagging the dog with scripture and spirituality? It is clear that scripture can support and nourish spirituality, yet in my life scripture I think is at best an inspiration of spirituality. Also, I believe there are other inspirations.

Although Wittgenstein was concerned with Christian spirituality and the possibility of being a Christian if a person didn't religiously (excuse the terrible pun) follow scripture, as Kierkegaard also thought, I'm wondering about all spiritualities and their relationships to scripture. So feel free to post if there is a lot of discussion upon Christian spirituality, as the input is invited. Thanks

[blazeofglory]

Spirituality and scriptures are polar opposites.

[CognitiveArtist]

Spirituality and scriptures are polar opposites.

That's how I feel on some days, but I don't think scripture or religious text completely precludes spirituality. In the least, I think scripture can often effectively activate the spiritual lives of people.

[Wintermute]

I believe there are other inspirations.

Hi CognitiveArtist,

I do too. Scripture has never been a spiritual motivator for me. I guess my impending, unavoidable death is the prime mover for seeking truth. And other things, like the amazing discoveries of science (those provided by the Hubble telescope for example or the confirmation of ice on Mars just yesterday). Or something less tangible like love.

I know this is a bending of your topic Cog, and I apologize. Your post did, however, get me wondering about inspiration and what is the prime spiritual mover in other folks.

Doug

[CognitiveArtist]

Hi CognitiveArtist,

I do too. Scripture has never been a spiritual motivator for me. I guess my impending, unavoidable death is the prime mover for seeking truth. And other things, like the amazing discoveries of science (those provided by the Hubble telescope for example or the confirmation of ice on Mars just yesterday). Or something less tangible like love.

I know this is a bending of your topic Cog, and I apologize. Your post did, however, get me wondering about inspiration and what is the prime spiritual mover in other folks.

Doug

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your post, it wasn't off point at all. What motivates one's spirituality was my central curiosity to spawning this thread. I am interested in the interaction of scripture with spirituality, yet as I said I don't think scripture is all that interacts with spirituality.

Science is another interesting influence upon spiritual life. I bought a telescope because astronomy and even views of the night sky without equipment has always pleased me. I recently learned that the moon is incredibly close to the Earth when you consider the regular distance between a planet and its satellites. If we were on Mars for instance we'd just see two little spots, whereas we can see unique phases of our moon. Also I heard that the tides the moon creates could have facilitated life moving from water to land, pretty much forming life as we know it. The enchantment of realising these phenomena is of course special, but knowing that we can understand these intricacies and details I also find deeply inspiring. Knowing that there are scores of people around the world learning such sophisticated science I find a spiritual experience. What we can know and think, instead of just believe, I find a unique spiritual source.

[jgweed]

Are we spiritual because we read a certain text, or we read a certain text (in a certain way) because we are spiritual?

[blazeofglory]

That's how I feel on some days, but I don't think scripture or religious text completely precludes spirituality. In the least, I think scripture can often effectively activate the spiritual lives of people.

Scriptures if are not conflicting can activate spirituality or else they do not.