User talk:Edo rexy

Still on the Da Vinci Code

By Osaro Odache

THE recent article by Pius Isiekwene in The Guardian of June 29, 2006 condemning author Dan Brown over his depiction of Jesus in The Da Vinci Code was another spirited attempt to hoodwink the unwary amidst inexplicable inconsistencies and contradictions in the present-day Bible. Over the years, reasoned literary critiques of religious dogmas have always met with accusations of blasphemy and heresy. Adherents of Christian faith deliberately avoid discussing or debating such doctrines. In the process, the uninformed is further misled and sound reasoning is suppressed. But is the modern Bible totally free of flaws, as Mr. Isiekwene would want us to believe? A cursory assessment of certain Biblical positions run counter to the writer's position of justifying that every word in the Book was spiritually inspired.

The doctrine of Trinity forms the cornerstone on which Christianity stands. Yet it is one of the most profound and difficult dogmas to explain and understand. But should it be so? Of course, truth should not be so difficult to espouse and justify. If we agree that there is a Supreme Being called God then Trinity is clearly against the concept of one father in heaven who creates and sustains.

With the Old Testament saying "in the beginning there was God and the word was with God and the word was God", then the Bible is implying that God had a beginning. That would be contrary to the concept of eternity of God. Shouldn't the "Word" with God mean the command by which the Supreme Father causes all things to be and also bring them to an end as He wills. It is by "Word" that Adam was created (with neither father nor mother), Eve was created (without a mother but with a father) and Jesus created (with a mother but not a father). The lesson is that God is almighty and is capable of doing all things. If it would take the immaculateness of a being to cleanse the world of sins, the angels are better placed for that purpose. Otherwise, it would run counter to Jesus' statement that no man born of a woman is without sins: Jesus was born of a woman. The Bible also informs us that Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, (presumably, a sinner).

If Jesus is God, then the concept of God was incomplete for three days when Jesus was killed. The God in Heaven was also incomplete while Jesus was sojourning on earth and, of course, before his birth. This would be contrary to the notion of God being the same always. Also, of the three Godheads, whom do we supplicate to? Which of the three Godheads will sit in judgment on the last day?

That Jesus is the same as God predisposes that he was addressing himself on the cross for being forsaken in his hours of need. And how do we justify Mark 16:19 where Jesus sat on the right hand of God (sitting besides a different person or besides himself?). In the same verse, the Holy Spirit is missing. If Christ voluntarily surrendered himself to redeem mankind, how come that he tried frantically to prevent his own trial and crucifixion? And should Judas Iscariot be considered an enemy if he facilitated redemption of mankind through crucifixion? Judas ought to be glorified and commended rather than condemned and vilified. Were the people who wrote about the incident on the Calvary present at the site? Didn't they all flee when Jesus was captured?

The concept of God begetting a biological son was strange to Jesus' teaching. It is unity of essence/purpose and not of person. The Jews and Romans brought the doctrine into Christianity. Jews equally believe that Ezra is beloved son of God. Several people are referred to as sons of God in the Bible. In any case, what sort of father would ransom his beloved and righteous son to redeem the wayward and irresponsible children? Seems quite strange. Is it not against natural law for a carrier of burdens to carry other people's burdens?

Equating Jesus with God is not a position shared by all Christian denominations. Are they worse Christians? Why are there so many divergent interpretations and modes of worship in Christendom even though it is the same God, the same Jesus and the same Scripture? Why would a Christian refuse to attend any other church apart from his own denomination even with similarity of God and Scripture? Why are there so many versions of the Bible? Does the same Holy Spirit inspire these different versions with diverse teachings?

The controversy often generated by Trinity and other biblical dogmas and plain contradictions in several places in the Bible call to question Apostle Paul's statement (shared by Mr. Isiekwene) that everything in the Bible was inspired by God. Surely, God could not have inspired confusion. The original scripts of the Bible were in Hebrew, then Greek before being translated into numerous languages whereas Jesus did not speak any other language except Aramaic, a subset of Hebrew, now extinct. So, in what language was the Bible inspired and after how many years after the death of Christ? Of course, God could not have inspired the numerous contradictions in both the Old and the New Testaments. He could also not have inspired the disparaging statements made against other holy men such as Noah, Abraham and David.

The Bible calls on us to reason together. Therefore, does Trinity recognise the mightiness of God? If so, then what sort of (almighty) God would be defeated by a man (Israel defeated God in the Bible)? What sort of (almighty) God would be tempted by the devil (Jesus was)? What sort of (visionless) God would regret his action (God regretted creating man in the Bible)? What sort of (almighty) God would be powerless in the midst of miscreants who wanted his blood? How mighty is a God that got tired and slumbered (Biblical God was after the creation)? Is the statement credited to Jesus asking his mother what had he got to do with her a fair report?

Apostle Paul's coming into Christianity and outshining disciples like John and James after enormous persecution of the early converts is quite intriguing. His role in writing those books in the New Testament and in formulating new rules and declarations (unknown to or sanctioned by Christ) are so significant that his coming ought to have been predicted by Jesus. Disappointedly, Jesus never knew him nor did Christ anoint him in anyway. Was Paul's vision and conversion to Christianity corroborated by any of the known disciples?

There are several issues in the Bible that call for strong reservation and for which writers like Dan Brown are entitled to take positions. Trinity is just one of them. Religion is a matter of the soul and eternal salvation. It should be based on strong conviction not conjectures. Man should use education and intellect to ascertain the truth in order to earn salvation. This informs the need to study other Scriptures to ascertain the truth. It is the only way we can be free as people perish for lack of (true) knowledge. Dan Brown's literary work should be appreciated and not condemned. Mr. Isiekwene and other ecclesiastics should allow literary critiques of nebulous dogmas.

Odache lives in Benin City, Edo State.