Question By John
November 2, 2005
Besides the Bible, what other sacred text that mankind has
produced over the millennia would you consider to be the most
helpful to 21st century people?
I find it very difficult to respond to your question the
way you have framed it. There are thousands of texts,
ancient and modern, that would be very helpful to 21st
century people.
However, if your desire is to line up the sacred texts of
all the great religions of the world then I do not think you
understand the issues. A sacred text is not perfect or
inerrant. However, it does chart the history of the faith
traditions in which people live their lives. The task of a
person of faith is to explore the depths of the tradition in
which he or she lives, transcend its limits, and separate its
wheat from its chaff. One cannot do that unless one knows
that sacred text of that tradition deeply and well. To try
to do that with a variety of texts is to guarantee
shallowness. Of course, that Bhagavad-Gita, the Koran and
other ancient texts of human history have value. However,
real appreciation comes only with a depth of knowledge about
each. I seek, therefore, to master the sacred texts of my
own faith tradition in all of their beauty, profundity,
uniqueness and even their negativity. I seek to appreciate
the others. I am reading the Bhagavad-Gita at this very
moment. I know, however, that I will never be able to master
the subtleties of a faith tradition in which I was not
reared, so I try not to be very specific in commenting on the
treasures of another faith tradition. Hope this helps!
— John Shelby Spong
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