Ah, We Understand Now
Written by Mandy on October 30th, 2008N.T. Wrong just posted a helpful piece clarifying the reasoning behind each label. As I guessed, it seems to be based mainly on one’s view of and approach to the Bible. After reading over the list, I can agree that both Calvin and I (and thus The Floppy Hat) would fall under “Fairly Conservative” under this criteria at least.
I would like to point out, however, that our bookshelves contain books by FF Bruce, N.T. Wright and James Dunn, books with chapters by Marcus Borg…and a plethora of other books that span the entire liberal/conservative spectrum whose authors weren’t specifically mentioned. Since we went to a very conservative Bible college, naturally our bookshelves have many relics from that period of time. Our library has been expanding quickly to the left as we collect more books. Either way, we like to be well read outside our own theological persuasion in both directions.
Conceding that labels can at the least be helpful in understanding how one is viewed by those outside of one’s own perspective, I am in the end mostly relieved that we didn’t fall under very conservative (rightly so).
We are both looking forward to N.T. Wrong’s mysterious Nov. 1 post which will shed light on the reason behind his original post.
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“.. we like to be well read outside our own theological persuasion in both directions”
This is a most desirable attitude and one which I also attempt to uphold!
Many “very conservative” or “very liberal” folks are too scared to read outside a narrow window. Frequently, we can learn much from others dissimilar to us in some theological way. Wide reading is a good antidote to a narrow mind.
Edward Pothier
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I don’t have much Bruce, Wright or Dunn, but that’s largely because I’m Hebrew Bible.
However, since I do have at least one book on queer readings of Leviticus sitting around, I qualify as a liberal under NT Wrong’s categories.
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Jim – We all know you really think the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God(tm). You’re just hiding behind that book on Leviticus.