This is a horrible attempt at a book report Senior Year.

Taking it back a little old school. This is from My senior year in High School. This was a poor attempt at a book report about Thomas Merton's book.

David Hill

Mr. Peper

Theology 12

8-28-07

 

                                                            Merton Book Report

 

            In his statement, Merton is trying to say that the Bible is not just a book to be read – “it is beyond literature.” When he states it is “beyond religion” he means that no religion out there can tell you exactly what it means, the reader has to read it for themselves and interpret it and apply meaning to their own life. He reaffirms the previous point – “beyond the devout” and when he says “the cleansing awe of initiation into ritual and mystery” he means that there’s more to it than all the traditions we get from the Bible. “Beyond the healing and transforming sense of self-transcendence” means there’s more to it than reading it for spiritual comfort. The Bible is full of contradictions.

            Merton view on reading scripture is that when reading the Bible, one will be faced with contradictions to one’s faith and the fact that it’s hard for non-believers and even more so for believers. I Agree with Merton because the Bible is full of some of the most controversial topics. Also since the Bible is written by so many different authors, how can it all be brought together in one? It’s also true that when you read the Bible it’s hard to make sense of it all which leads to confusion and misunderstanding.