remains of the ark, then being sought in the region of Mt. Ararat, would never
be found because it never existed – that the story is just a myth.
Mr. Taylor took advantage of the opportunity to introduce Emanuel
Swedenborg, the idea that the first 11 chapters of Genesis are parables, and that
he was prepared by God to reveal the hidden internal sense of the Noah story
and the rest of the Bible.
He then described that spiritual meaning of Noah and the Ark. He has
since written a book about New Church theology, A Religion That Makes
Sense, and said in his Philadelphia Inquirer article: “Whatever else we may
think of Swedenborg’s interpretation of this story, it makes much more sense
than taking it literally.”
He was straightforward about concepts such as “the science of
correspondences,” without coming on too strong, and invited readers to look
at biblical mysteries with a whole new sense of their deeper meaning.
No doubt we will see a range of “experts” on television and the Internet
giving their interpretations of what Noah – the film and the biblical story –
really means. Let’s hope also that some New Church ministers and lay members
rise to the challenge as effectively as Doug Taylor did 30 years ago.
(BMH)
who’ll throw the penalty flag?
As this issue of New Church Life was going to press there was a report that
the National Football League in the United States is considering imposing a
penalty of 15 yards for any player caught saying a particularly vile racial slur.
However you feel about that proposal, homosexual slurs, and the relentless
stream of four-letter words coursing through the entertainment media, it is
particularly disheartening that no one raises any objection at all to the constant
taking of the Lord’s name in vain.
The Ten Commandments, the foundation for the laws of civilized society,
are unequivocal: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;
for the Lord will not hold him innocent that taketh his name in vain.”
That sure sounds a lot more serious than a 15-yard penalty.
(BMH)
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