Aesthetics and Human Connection

[whag]

Books and Culture

[KingsGambit]

It's interesting that you posted this because it dovetails almost exactly with a chapter I had to read for seminary this week and got me thinking.

I certainly don't think Christians should limit themselves to scripture; even within the Bible, you see that people like Paul felt free to refer to popular philosophy and poetry. The book urged pastors to be conversant with poetry; I'll be the first to admit poetry just isn't my thing. I connect through other things, but all the more power to those who do connect through it. But there are other things through which to make connections; current events, movies (which are also not my thing. I don't have the attention span to sit through movies), music, literature, etc. The book referred to these things as "treasures".

But it also referred to something else as a treasure; the scriptures (yes, the Old Testament even). It focused on one biblical book in particular; the Psalms. I really do believe the Psalms run almost the complete gamut of human emotions. An example was provided of one pastor who turned to one Psalm after 9/11 that asked how long God would remain absent or something like that. It was an honest reaction. There are things to say to our situations today, but I agree we shouldn't artificially try to shoehorn passages in that don't work in a given concept. What we read in the Psalms represent universal human feelings and not simply "the common fears and hopes of the ANE culture". People from other cultures can, and do, speak to us today, despite our differences.

[whag]

It's interesting that you posted this because it dovetails almost exactly with a chapter I had to read for seminary this week and got me thinking.

I certainly don't think Christians should limit themselves to scripture; even within the Bible, you see that people like Paul felt free to refer to popular philosophy and poetry. The book urged pastors to be conversant with poetry; I'll be the first to admit poetry just isn't my thing. I connect through other things, but all the more power to those who do connect through it. But there are other things through which to make connections; current events, movies (which are also not my thing. I don't have the attention span to sit through movies), music, literature, etc. The book referred to these things as "treasures".

But it also referred to something else as a treasure; the scriptures (yes, the Old Testament even). It focused on one biblical book in particular; the Psalms. I really do believe the Psalms run almost the complete gamut of human emotions. An example was provided of one pastor who turned to one Psalm after 9/11 that asked how long God would remain absent or something like that. It was an honest reaction. There are things to say to our situations today, but I agree we shouldn't artificially try to shoehorn passages in that don't work in a given concept. What we read in the Psalms represent universal human feelings and not simply "the common fears and hopes of the ANE culture". People from other cultures can, and do, speak to us today, despite our differences.

I like this response a lot, and I agree that some ancient literature can express the emotions that modern human beings experience.

That being said, take romantic love and erotic emotion. Within the Bible, I can't find any expression of it that I can relate to. Humor, as well. The reason I mention "Her" is probably because my wife (a Christian, formerly theologically conservative) relate on a deep level with that movie, moreso than we relate on any biblical expression. Song of Songs is just silly, context considered.

[whag]

KG, like I said, I also don't have the tolerance for movies just like you. They are mostly vile and the opposite of artistic. I recommend you and your wife watch Her (with an open mind) because it addresses profound topics like existentialism, eros, and jealousy with a graceful and hilarious touch that the Song of Songs and Book of Job don't come close to capturing.

ETA: Book of Job (because "Her" addresses tortuous emotional pain of romantic love/breakup and BOJ doesn't).

[firstfloor]

I have seen “ANE” used a few times. What does it mean? Something like Ante Christum Natum perhaps?

[Cerebrum123]

I have seen “ANE” used a few times. What does it mean? Something like Ante Christum Natum perhaps?

Ancient Near East.

[firstfloor]

Ancient Near East.

Thanks.

[jordanriver]

Christians reading their Bible.
That's an interesting concept.

[KingsGambit]

KG, like I said, I also don't have the tolerance for movies just like you. They are mostly vile and the opposite of artistic. I recommend you and your wife watch Her (with an open mind) because it addresses profound topics like existentialism, eros, and jealousy with a graceful and hilarious touch that the Song of Songs and Book of Job don't come close to capturing.

ETA: Book of Job (because "Her" addresses tortuous emotional pain of romantic love/breakup and BOJ doesn't).

I'll make a note of it, thanks. Hopefully as my semester winds down over the next week or two.

[firstfloor]

I just watched “Her”. Very good film although Joaquin Phoenix tends to mumble a bit. Best moment for me – “and the spaces between the words are almost infinite.”

[whag]

That was better than the OS thinkgroup resurrecting Alan Watts?? =P