"The Book of Jonah" observed one student, "Recognizes the value of all human life, Jew and Gentile alike, while other books, like Tobit, encourage Jews to remain as separate from foreign cultures as possible. Why is that? Doesn't the Bible teach us God's will?"
That is, the Old Testament urges us to know better our Creator and ourselves if we are to live in right relationship (covenant), and that the sign of this right relationship is "awe and respect" (translated misleadingly in English Bibles as "fear of the Lord.") before God.
In biblical times, the choice between holding fast to one's faith sometimes meant separating the community from what were seen as harmful influences in the dominant cultures (like Persian, Greek and Roman cultures). At other times believers were called to a "3 R" approach:
- recognizing God's presence in the dominant culture,
- reaching out to share the faith community's wisdom with these others, and
- realizing what wisdom might be found in the other, new perspective.
And it's possible that, at the very same time and place, what is the best course of action (the best act of love) for one group or individual might not be the best course of action for another.
In the Old Testament, even apparently "conflicting" teachings (like those in Jonah and Tobit) are all considered sacred and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is up to the faithful, with the guidance of the Church, to discern the meaning of each and how to live the Word of God day by day.
(And, of course, the Biblical School is designed to help you in the process!)
