BAN THE BIBLE?

 

In April 2023, Rabbi Barry Silver filed an objection to the availability of the Bible to students at Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, Florida. The outspoken Civil Rights cleric contended that if other books are banned for alleged sexually explicit or age-inappropriate content, then the Bible should be treated equally.

Rabbi Silver believes that the Bible includes “graphic accounts” of violence and rape, executing gay people and women. In addition, there is discussion of gender and sexual issues and antisemitic passages. If not a ban, Silver suggested putting the book in the fiction or mythology section with a warning label. About fifty persons agreed with the Jewish Rabbi and signed a petition for the removal of the Bible.

Prior to his most recent objection, Silver’s objection was denied three times. All three denials cite the same Florida statute, which permits the study of the Bible and religion and allows districts to install “a secular program of education, including, but not limited to, an objective study of the Bible and of religion.” Last week, The Palm Beach County Public Schools Board voted unanimously to keep the Bible in school libraries. 

It is not enough to congratulate the Public Schools Board for their favorable vote and move on with our lives. We need to consider the substance of the Rabbi’s argument. For instance, in a letter to the School Board, the Rabbi gave an example from Psalm 137:8-9 (“… happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us – he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks”).

This Psalm was describing the period of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. This and similar expressions are referred to as imprecatory Psalms. They refer to invoking judgment or curses upon one’s enemies or those perceived to be enemies of God. Here the Psalmist is affirming God’s sovereignty to judge righteously. The expression is not a reflection of the mind of God. The expression is similar to what we refer to as righteous indignation.

To attribute this and similar passages to God is a display of ignorance. Ignorance about seeing the Bible as literature. Literature uses special resources of language, such as metaphor, simile, pun, allusion, paradox and irony. Like any other literary work, the Bible is filled with stories, poems, visions and other literary genre (types of literature).

In addition, although applicable, the Bible is more descriptive than prescriptive. In retelling the stories of history, the writers were accurately describing what was happening. Through some of these stories we learn about human vulnerabilities and need for redemption. Hence, an accurate description of sinful behavior should not be viewed as an endorsement of misogyny. Unlike other sacred writings, I applaud biblical writers for their commitment to unfiltered descriptions of history. When wrong, royalty and peasants are exposed.

The Rabbi’s appeal to “ban the Bible” should challenge us to reread the Bible differently – to read it through literary lenses. That way we would pay greater attention to literary genres and the contexts of the original readers. That way we would also be more sensitive to texts were intended to describe what happened as opposed to texts that prescribe what should happen. Agreed, “… all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching…” (2 Timothy 3:16), but at the same time, all Scripture must be interpreted responsibly.

Recently, while meditating on Psalm One, I applied principles of Hebrew Poetry, to acquire a better understanding of the text. Hebrew Poetry is different from prose and narrative – it is a more concentrated form of writing. Hebrew Poetry is intentionally artistic – it is a thing of beauty. Psalm One imagines the “blessed person” as a tree, and the “wicked person” as chaff. The “blessed person” does not walk, stand or sit in destructive situations. Rather, he finds delight and meditates in the Scriptures. The Psalm invites us to utilize our imagination and walk away as productive persons, just like palm trees that are planted by nourishing water.

For persons who may not have access to some of the literary tools referred to in this blog, I would strongly recommend that you compare texts from different versions of the English Bible. Attempt to understand the meaning of the text as was intended for the original readers. Then, graciously ask the Lord to apply your understanding to your personal life. Like rain upon parched land, the Bible continues to accomplish God’s purposes in our lives – Isaiah 55:10-11.