My Own Biases

Growing up in a conservative Pentecostal setting has advantages. It seems no one likes to admit that these days. I do.

It certainly has its disadvantages. I prefer to blame my own inability to learn quicker. That is mainly my problem.

One bias I had growing up was a misconception of some theologians and the words that were being used. Rudolf Bultmann is a case in point for me. When I read a title like “Jesus Christ and Mythology” I am too quick to dismiss it. I make the foolish assumption that this guy thinks Jesus Christ is a myth. Somehow it never occurred to me to crack open the cover and actually READ the thing!

Now that I have some sense of history in my life and see Bultmann’s setting in Germany, early 20th Century, I have a better understanding of what he is saying. Like I said, I’m a slow learner. This little book is a fantastic read for me. Too bad I didn’t think of doing something about my biases earlier in life!

7 responses to “My Own Biases”

  1. I did the same with Nietzsche with his quote “God is Dead”. I wanted to know what compelled him to say this, hia background, his country, his religious views, upbringings, etc. And I understood much more than to disgard his writings and what nots based on one sentence.

  2. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who judges a book by it’s title ๐Ÿ˜‰

  3. But sometimes biases are correct and you crack a book you were skeptical about, read 100 pages of trash, and realize you’ve gained nothing but a large dose of frustration and a little insight into someone who was really wrong (which, admittedly, can sometimes be valuable).

    I do agree with your overall point…I just thought I’d add some cynicism to your comments section for balance. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. I agree. Some biases really are correct and I get mad about wasting that time! ๐Ÿ˜‰

      But with Bultmann, I’m a bit ashamed I didn’t dig deeper because I really liked “Jesus and Mythology”.

      1. I’m not familiar…what the premise?

  4. Bultmann and the use of “mythology” stumped me. I assumed there was a belief on his part that Jesus and the gospel story was a myth. I didn’t understand it as a theological method. Thus, I failed to read him for years. It was my own misunderstanding.

  5. I would say the avoidance of Bultmann has more to do with fundamentalism than Pentecostalism, though they are often associated with each other.

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