Literal readers and liberal readers interpret the bible very differently. The definition of the word ‘literal’ in the dictionary is ‘Something that is accepted exactly as it was submitted’ so this tells us how a literalist would interpret the bible. Literal readers believe in the exact interpretation of the source, they believe everything that is written should be understood exactly the way it is written. When reading the bible, they believe it is not possible for it to contain errors, as they believe the bible is inspired by God. So if the bible says that Jesus resurrected Jairus’ daughter, then they believe that Jesus resurrected Jairus’ daughter and have no difficulty in believing supernatural events. They believe that God created the universe with his power, so they believe that Gods power is present in his son, Jesus, so in him resurrecting Jairus’ daughter is just an example of who Jesus is. Liberal readers have a different understanding of the bible. They believe that the writers were only human, so human error could be involved with some of the passages, so the writers were only guided by God, not ‘inspired’ by God. They believe that the bible was not created to be taken literally, but was created to present the spiritual truth using parables and stories to capture the imagination / entertain the reader. Another difference between these two types of readers is the truth that they are trying to seek. Literalists believe that it is important that the gospel should be true in everyway and form, as if its fact. But liberal readers believe that the truth does not really matter, but they are looking for a deeper spiritual truth.
An example to display the different views and ways the two readers would interpret a passage would be the feeding of the 5000. A literal reader would believe that Jesus has the power to take 5 loaves and 2 fish and feed 5000 people, so if the gospel says that Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed 5000 people, then they believe that’s exactly what happened. They will just see it as an example of God working through Jesus, as a demonstration of Jesus’ power, the fact that he has control over the law of nature. A liberal interpretation of this would be different; they would believe that the story was not meant to be taken literally, but to present the readers with a message. They would believe that Jesus started by distributing 5 loaves and 2 fish, but as people got asked if they would like some, those who had food would take pity and put some of their own food in the basket. In the gospel it says that there were 12 baskets of food left over, and the liberal reader would believe that this would have been food from other people’s pockets, not the five loaves and two fish that Jesus started out with. The liberal reader would believe that this story would have a message, and that is if everyone shares their wealth / goods, then everyone will benefit.
Another example of a scripture that both readers would interpret differently would be the resurrection of Jesus Christ himself. A literal reader would in fact believe that Jesus rose from the dead in his bodily form. They would believe that if God has the power to create the universe, then Jesus would have the power to defy death itself. They also believe the body that returned was the exact same body that suffered the crucifixion; this is because Jesus still had wounds in his hands, feet and sides. A liberal reader may find it difficult to accept the fact that he has risen from death, so they believe that the people who witnessed Jesus’ presence after his resurrection may not mean that Jesus was there with them in his bodily form, but that he was there with them spiritually and mentally. They believe that it is a message, that Jesus id not dead, he will always be with us spiritually.
Two elements were essential in the occurrence of healing, and these were both faith and prayer. Faith means in the terms of the bible having complete trust in God, trusting him with your life, believing in him wit your mind body and soul, having complete confidence in him. Prayer is a special way of Christians communicating with God, this involves them talking to God, and also listening to God. They believe in the power of prayer, that God answers them, but in order for this to happen they need to have a strong relationship with God, and for this to happen they need to pray regularly. In some of the passages in marks gospel, there is a common relationship between faith and miracles. Usually a person will show there faith first, and then the miracle will occur afterwards. An example of this is when the woman touched Jesus’ cloak. In this passage, the woman strongly believes in the power of Jesus, she has faith in him. She believes that all she has to do is touch Jesus’ cloak and that would be it; she would be healed, as she had been suffering from severe bleeding for twelve years. She kept saying to herself ‘if I just touch his clothes, I will get well’. When she touched Jesus’ cloak he stopped and asked who had touched it. The woman owned up to doing this and Jesus said ‘my daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble’ so the woman shows her faith by believing if she touches her cloak she will be well. This shows her faith in the power of Jesus, and because of this Jesus has performed a healing miracle and made her well. Prayer is also included in the performing of miracles in some of the passages in marks gospel. This is because in order for God to perform through prayers or answer them, the person must have a strong relationship with God. An example of this is when Jesus heals the boy with an evil spirit, Jesus was absent, so his disciples had tried to heal the boy and cast out the evil spirits, but they failed. Jesus then healed the boy; his disciples were confused so they came to Jesus and asked why they couldn’t heal the boy. Jesus replied ‘only prayer can drive this kind out’. So Jesus is telling his disciples that in order for them to perform this kind of miracle, they need a strong relationship with god. So in affect, both prayer and faith are needed in the occurrence of miracles.
Healing still occurs today in modern day churches, 2000 years after Jesus was performing them. This is because some Christians believe that Jesus can bring wholeness of body mind and spirit today through faith and prayer. So still in modern day society, faith and prayer is linked in with healing; only this time it’s in the church. So the Church has continued the healing ministry of Jesus. There are a number of methods in which the healing ministry is carried out. One of these is praying for God’s healing power to help a person. Individuals receive the ‘laying on of hands’ and are prayed for by the congregation. The priest or minister lays their hands on the person; this symbolizes the healing touch of Jesus. So this service shows that Christians believe that prayer must be involved in the healing process, a good relationship with God is vital. This also shows that Christians believe that Jesus is with them, and is able to heal by working through others. Christians also believe that if they display their faith, they will be healed. This is shown when Christians go on pilgrims to prestigious places known for their miraculous healing. For example, almost 3 million people a year make a pilgrim to Lourdes. This place was declared to have miraculous healing qualities. So people make the journey to pray for others who may be sick or to pray for themselves, with the faith that the sick person they are praying for will be healed. So faith and prayer even today has a strong link with the healing process. Some Christians even believe that it is their duty in Gods eyes to heal people; Christian medical workers may feel called to dedicate their lives to heal and ease the suffering of others. A great example of this type of person that had a vocation to heal would be mother Teresa. She dedicated her life to healing others; many believe that God was acting through this woman.
‘Miracles are biblical events. They don’t happen today’ people may have different opinions about this statement, some may agree, some may disagree, it is a divided opinion. With the science and modern day technology, people may find it difficult to accept an event or an occurrence as a miracle. This is because miracles that occurred in the past can now be explained through science, so it is less likely people are going to accept supernatural explanations. Some Christians may believe miracles do not happen anymore because Jesus in no longer around to perform them. So they will believe that there is a scientific reason for why an event as happened in what case another person may call a miracle. If all supernatural events can be explained, then they could question whether God is still acting in the world. People may strongly disagree with this statement; people can see God acting all around them. They see a baby being born as a gift from God; they see it as a miracle, somebody giving life. People believe that amazing events with no natural explanation are supernatural events, miracles such as the weeping statues. This would be considered a miracle as it is a supernatural event; it has no logical, natural explanation. A statue of the Virgin Mary weeping tears of blood (which was tested by doctors and was found out to be blood) some Christians may believe that this would be an act of God. Other people believe that God works in a more natural way, through the lives of others. They see people who devote there life to good such as mother Teresa, or medical workers who devote there life’s to saving others. Christians will also believe that God will give people courage, to put their own lives at risk for others, such as the New York fire fighters on September 11th. A miracle is more of a perception of an event; it is what you are going to let yourself believe. For example, if a child is severely injured in a car accident, and it is life threatening, were the chances of survival are slim. If the child makes it, the parents may well believe it is a miracle, and that it is an act of God and god has saved their child. But other may just see it as the doctors and their equipment have saved the child. So whether or not a miracle occurs today, is up to what people are prepared to let themselves believe.
(Weeping Statue)