[November 1998 journal entry]
Life experiences pushed the story/character of the ‘scrap heap’ Job (and also Ecclesiastes) forward into an independent, foundational, primary position for me. The approach to ethics and spirituality I am taking is rooted/anchored in the affirmation (42:7) of Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts. Accordingly, my interpretations will be compatible and consistent with Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts. Doing so means rethinking each writing in Jewish scripture and Christian scripture in light of Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts. Doing so means interpreting Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts without ‘religious’ or ‘orthodox’ restrictions (including perceptions of ‘Jesus’). Doing so means interpreting the ‘scrap heap’ Job directly and freely in relation to the breadth/depth of human suffering. I have a hermeneutic suspicion that ‘religious’ interpretations of the story/play Job are designed to endorse and reinforce ‘religious’ interests/institutions. Much of human suffering cannot be reduced to ‘religious’ explanations without violating the integrity of the sufferer/s.
Life experiences pushed the story/character of the ‘scrap heap’ Job (and also Ecclesiastes) forward into an independent, foundational, primary position for me. The approach to ethics and spirituality I am taking is rooted/anchored in the affirmation (42:7) of Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts. Accordingly, my interpretations will be compatible and consistent with Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts. Doing so means rethinking each writing in Jewish scripture and Christian scripture in light of Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts. Doing so means interpreting Job’s ‘scrap heap’ thoughts without ‘religious’ or ‘orthodox’ restrictions (including perceptions of ‘Jesus’). Doing so means interpreting the ‘scrap heap’ Job directly and freely in relation to the breadth/depth of human suffering. I have a hermeneutic suspicion that ‘religious’ interpretations of the story/play Job are designed to endorse and reinforce ‘religious’ interests/institutions. Much of human suffering cannot be reduced to ‘religious’ explanations without violating the integrity of the sufferer/s.
