The passages below are from a sermon delivered by William Ellery Channing in Baltimore in 1819:
We profess not to know a book, which demands a more frequent exercise of reason than the Bible. In addition to the remarks now made on its infinite connexions, we may observe, that its style nowhere affects the precision of science or the accuracy of definition. Its language is singularly glowing, bold, and figurative, demanding more frequent departures from the literal sense, than that of our own age and country, and consequently demanding more continual exercise of judgment.–We find, too, that the different portions of this book, instead of being confined to general truths, refer perpetually to the times when they were written, to states of society, to modes of thinking, to controversies in the church, to feelings and usages which have passed away, and without the knowledge of which we are constantly in danger of extending to all times, and places, what was of temporary and local application.–We find, too, that some of these books are strongly marked by the genius and character of their respective writers, that the Holy Spirit did not so guide the Apostles as to suspend the peculiarities of their minds, and that a knowledge of their feelings, and of the influences under which they were placed, is one of the preparations for understanding their writings. With these views of the Bible, we feel it our bounded duty to exercise our reason upon it perpetually, to compare, to infer, to look beyond the letter to the spirit, to seek in the nature of the subject, and the aim of the writer, his true meaning; and, in general, to make use of what is known, for explaining what is difficult, and for discovering new truths.
Reading something like this in 2005 is extraordinarily saddening, for this is one of those cases where, looking back, we see not have far we have come, but how far we have fallen.
The Christianity of Channing’s “we” is one of openness, exploration, and curiosity–as well as of belief. Their Bible is a living document, one which, though created by humans and showing their limitations, is imbued with the spirit and guidance of God.
Sure, there are plenty of Christians around now who will nod in complete agreement with Channing’s statements (and his words were not without controversy when delivered), but much of Christianity has been hijacked, today, and stolen away into a rigid, unforgiving place where the Bible is used to rule things out, not bring people in.
Too bad. So much beauty lost. So much compassion and understanding left by the wayside….
This seems to be a day for looking into the past and seeing what we have lost, what we have gained, and what we still have left to accomplish. Thank you so much for this, Aaron.
This is how I think of the bible and what I have been exposed to as an adult learning more about the subject. I think the majority of people feel/think this way. If not, then a strong minority. I don’t take the popular stance that Christianity has been hijacked. I think there are a very loud obnoxious minority of people who are literalists and that they have always been with us.
Yes we have to find a way to send them back into their hidey holes, but that means people getting involved in government and civic life and refusing tto allow the ignorant to take over. We simply got complacent.
You are right, of course, that “they” have always been with us. Channing’s sermon raised a great deal of controversy. My subtext, really, is that we don’t have the eloquent defenders of the best sort of Christianity around today–at least, not with high profiles.
And I hope you are right when you say that most Christians feel as you do. However, too few of them, unfortunately, are speaking out against those who (in my view) are making a mockery of the religion.
than anyone else? Do you see it as my job to have a public battle with the Christian dominionists?
No, and each one of us needs to choose her/his own battles. I’m simply trying to offer encouragement for those who do see this as their fight. I want them to know that, as you say about Dean, I’ve got their back.
I’m saddened by what I see as the reduction of a sublime and beautiful religion. And I fear the manipulation of belief for political purposes that I see growing in America. So, I take this as my fight (in a small way–I will never be its ‘glorious leader’). And I want to encourage those who, like many of us (like me, too often) are bewildered by what we see happening to a religion that can be so much more compassionate.
I would say I feel it is my duty to speak out and fight them – precisely because I claim the label (Christian) that they are misusing.
It doesn’t mean it’s my fight alone, but I do feel some specific responsibility to counter them in the public sphere and try to make sure that both they and others understand that they do NOT speak for all Christians.