In Reply to: Primitive communication methods? posted by Oldtimer on April 25, 2004 at 16:33:56:
Yes, it does appear primitive to me somehow, but maybe I haven't found the right way to express what I mean.
For a lifetime of 33 years, and for his amazing ministry of 3½ years, there sure is FAR too little written about Jesus in the bible.
Consider the time lapse between earth moving events and transcription several decades later by old aged men living a life of hardship, their memory of original experiences being replaced by later realized facts, the limits to writing style and documentation, limits of writing and copying material, writing trends, language and interpretation, translation factors, the passing along by word of mouth (potential disortions and inaccuracies), the limits of human understanding and abilities, the mixing in of egos and interpretations, the selection/discarding of documents by (often self-appointed) spiritual caretakers................. and you have the bible as it is today.
If I see past the language, the writing style, the "primitive" aspect goes away. I accept the bigger picture. I have trouble with traditional interpretations, and with the way things are put.
I believe Jesus communicated something very important, but much of it has been lost in the way it is presented now, in the bible.