We’ve been talking about how the school of Literary Criticism casts doubt on the truthfulness of the books of Samuel and Kings.
Honestly, up until now, that’s been the easy part of this discussion.
We’ve got other more complicated fish to fry.
So let’s get started.
The other key idea concerning Samuel and Kings I need you to get is that in these books we’ll see BOTH the positive and negative aspects of Israel having a king over them.
See, the problem with a lot of theologians is that they’re too Greek or black-and-white in their thinking.
They focus on only ONE aspect -either the positive or negative nature- of a king.
However, that’s not how things work homies.
This lopsided approach of emphasizing only ONE aspect of the nature of a king over another was brought about by two historical Christian methodologies.
The first one is called “Orthodoxy versus Heresy” and it was introduced in the late 1st century.
The second one is called “Modern Systematic Theology” and was introduced in the 18th century (during the enlightenment).
I know I’m taking a detour here…
But trust me, this info is important to understand.
Otherwise, you’ll be in danger of having your brain soap-scrubbed by pontificating gentile theologians who teach at all the major seminaries.
Ya feel me?
Okay, so let’s start with the concept of “Orthodoxy versus Heresy“.
This notion is that within Christianity there are a set of doctrines that are non-negotiable and uncompromisable that you have to accept to be a member.
You can’t question these doctrines nor stray away from them later…
Otherwise you’ll be kicked out of the congregation and branded a heretic…
And you won’t be allowed be back in unless you repent.
And don’t be thinking this barbaric and Inquisition-like behavior was something that only happened in ancient times.
I personally have been thrown out of more than a few Christian churches, a Messianic Congregation in Tokyo, and a bunch of Facebook groups over the “Yeshua is God” doctrine.
These so-called non-negotiable doctrines vary by denomination by the way.
For example, other branches of Christianity will throw your butt out on the streets if you don’t agree with them concerning the timing of the tribulation and when exactly the Rapture will take place.
This is how orthodoxy and heresy plays out in a typical Christian church and actually in a lot of Messianic congregations as well.
In fact, a lot of Messianic Groups are just Christian churches decorated with “Jewish window dressing” to appear authentic and I guess attract unwitting Jews.
We’ll continue this discussion the next time we meet.
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