Just how provocative the Good Book has been can be seen in "Scripture for the Eyes: Bible Illustration in Netherlandish Prints of the 16th Century" at the Museum of Biblical Art.
Augustine, for example, held that God moves our wills, working in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure, as scripture says (Phil. 2 13).
"But it's good to know scripture and verse," chimed in Vanessa Karam, a general education professor at University of the West.
As a believer in the good news of scripture, an ordained clergyman, a seminary leader, and a black man, I am engaged in an enterprise that holds the stranger and the other as precious, sacred commodities of the Creator, as opportunities for expressions of welcoming, inclusion, hospitality, love and co-creation.
Beware: "Biblical prophecy is not for personal interpretation (not for just you)." for it's purpose, ie: "all scripture is good for reproof, teaching, doctrine".
He began to feel that he could no longer share the standard evangelical messages that he had been preaching — about salvation and damnation and the infallible scripture — in good conscience.
"There is a line in the Hindu scriptures: 'Let good knowledge come to us from all sides,' " Mr. Mehta wrote.
Webster explained this kind of thing this way: "Language which cannot be uttered in company without a violation of decorum or the rules of good breeding exposes the scriptures to the scoffs of unbelievers, impairs their authority, and multiplies or confirms the enemies of our holy religion".
While the Church should abide by the scriptures, preach good news, love, respect and tolerance, a corrosive political virus seems to have decayed the very principles occupying the heart of the communion.
"I see no stranger, I see no enemy, I look upon all with good will," is how Sikh scripture phrases it.
