Reflecting on all this Bible stuff

I was going to post this as a response to Lutheranchick and Baby Olivia, but I got so long winded, I decided it might be better as a regular post.
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I think the most radical question, in terms of theology, that I've seen was the one where God pondered: "I AM THAT I AM?"

But that was a typo.

Actually, the question about Jonathan and David's relationship has been the most unexpected that I've seen.

All of the answers are literal. Also they exclusively use the KJV.

And you're right Lutheranchick, beyond even Esther, the questions highlight either the Bible's most submissive or sexualized women (which is a real competition, I mean, come on!). Jezebel is a favorite. We even encountered the question: "Who was the first woman raped in the Bible." Yikes, that identifies a focus for you.

They also focus much more on OT. I was trying to spread the HG category evenly between OT and NT, but it was not possible.

J.D. and I were discussing the "trivia but not trivial" thing too. We agreed, most of it is very trivial. I think that authoritative subtitle was part of the absurd delight I took in buying the game.

As far as these questions, I think I could have answered 11 correctly, guessing on two, but the name of the cave where their bones were buried... yeah right, somehow they didn't emphasize that in LDS seminary class, and I didn't take the time to memorize it. Actually, most of what I know about the OT comes from Dr. Clark's classes anyway and reading literature.

I've been having flashbacks of my childhood religious experiences too Catherine. :) We only read parts of the Bible that pertained to whatever lesson they wanted to teach us. The most vivid experience I remember of actively NOT reading was when Brother Dobb had us read Corinthians 13, the verses about charity, quoted at oh-so-many weddings, which are nice. But, being my nerdy self, I actually read Corinthians 14 too.

After class I brought up the text to him and questioningly pointed out this verse, asking "Brother Dobb, what about this":

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law" (1 Cor. 14:34). I remember the dismissive response I got. He rolled his eyes and said: "Oh sheesh Tamara." He essentially shut me up for even asking about women asking questions/speaking. Poetic in its irony.

You don't forget things like that. They also tend to make you think....

In college seminary I was chewed out for bringing the NRSV to class instead of the KJV and asking questions there too. We took turns reading, and people found my NRSV text disconcerting. One classmate exclaimed, "Why would you bring THAT book here? The language and ideas are so much more powerful and beautiful in THIS one." I just didn't see why, if I had Old Testament class right before seminary, I needed to make a special trip to get my KJV. (Underlying theme: difference and real questioning... not so tolerated). I was also in trouble for even taking that class. The religion classes and Dr. Clark personally were often the topics of much hostility. But at that point, I refused to believe asking questions and using my God-given-brain were inherently acts lacking in faith. Toward the end, I realized I just didn't fit THAT community any more. I had moved into a new one, a much lonelier, but more honest (for me) place.

I like that George Eliot was fond of quoting these lines from Tennyson's "In Memoriam": "There lives more faith in honest doubt / Believe me, than in half the creeds."