2008 Woodie Awards
Randall warns of perverted Holy Scriptures
Marlon Scott
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Online Headlines
The Library Athenaeum series ended this semester, Wed., April 15, at the Felix G. Woodward Library with APSU professor of philosophy and religion, Albert "Bert" Randall Ph.D., discussing his fourth book "Holy Scriptures as Justification for War."
In the practiced, sonorous tones of a history professor combined with the enthusiastic optimism of a philosopher, Randall outlined the intricacies of how the misuse of Holy Scriptures evolves into violence.
"There is not a single thing I am going to say today that is going to be an attack upon the bible, the Christian New Testament, the Jewish Tanakh or the Quran," Randall said. "My talk today is about how these books are misused and perverted."
With humorous stories, historical examples and succinct points, Randall introduced various examples of perverted scriptures. Concentrating on the three major monotheisms of the West, he explained how he believes there is no perfect text and the beliefs of historical inerrancy or literalism of perverted sacred texts are what lead to violence.
Randall challenged believers of all faiths to remember that all sacred scriptures are copies of other copies over hundreds of years.
"Only a fool would take an imperfect text literally wouldn't they?" Randall said. "But that doesn't mean you go home and through your book away. It means you have got to think when you read it."
While stressing the need to think, Randall concluded his lecture by analyzing the question: Who are God's chosen people? Like a passionate scientist, he described the evolution of polytheism to monotheism and its ties to textual and historical literalism before wrapping up the discussion with his own answer. He offers the common values found in the great monotheisms: be forgiving, be kind, be just, be a peacemaker, etc … as the answer.
Reading from his book, Randall said, "The only kind of chosen-ness that is both morally and theologically consistent with monotheism is chosen-ness to be, but to be what? Fortunately, the answer emerges over and over again in these three great holy books.
To be chosen of god is a chosen-ness to be and not to have."
The Library Athenaeum will continue during the summer semester. The new schedule has yet to be announced.
In the practiced, sonorous tones of a history professor combined with the enthusiastic optimism of a philosopher, Randall outlined the intricacies of how the misuse of Holy Scriptures evolves into violence.
"There is not a single thing I am going to say today that is going to be an attack upon the bible, the Christian New Testament, the Jewish Tanakh or the Quran," Randall said. "My talk today is about how these books are misused and perverted."
With humorous stories, historical examples and succinct points, Randall introduced various examples of perverted scriptures. Concentrating on the three major monotheisms of the West, he explained how he believes there is no perfect text and the beliefs of historical inerrancy or literalism of perverted sacred texts are what lead to violence.
Randall challenged believers of all faiths to remember that all sacred scriptures are copies of other copies over hundreds of years.
"Only a fool would take an imperfect text literally wouldn't they?" Randall said. "But that doesn't mean you go home and through your book away. It means you have got to think when you read it."
While stressing the need to think, Randall concluded his lecture by analyzing the question: Who are God's chosen people? Like a passionate scientist, he described the evolution of polytheism to monotheism and its ties to textual and historical literalism before wrapping up the discussion with his own answer. He offers the common values found in the great monotheisms: be forgiving, be kind, be just, be a peacemaker, etc … as the answer.
Reading from his book, Randall said, "The only kind of chosen-ness that is both morally and theologically consistent with monotheism is chosen-ness to be, but to be what? Fortunately, the answer emerges over and over again in these three great holy books.
To be chosen of god is a chosen-ness to be and not to have."
The Library Athenaeum will continue during the summer semester. The new schedule has yet to be announced.
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