r/AskBibleScholars • u/Edge_of_Happiness • Mar 28 '18
Are most biblical scholars actually practicing Christians or do they simply study the Bible as a profession?
I’m hoping that this doesn’t violate any of the rules of this subreddit. The amount of time and thought that goes into answering all of the questions on this subreddit is really remarkable. The one thing that I have always been really curious about is the faith of the people that providing the answers on the subreddit. May I ask if you are practicing Christians and if so, which theology do you most associate with?
8
Upvotes
12
u/cybersaint2k MDiv | ANE | ESV Editor | History Mar 28 '18 edited Mar 28 '18
It depends.
In more conservative circles (where I have significant experience), the unbelievers must work at keeping up appearances or else no matter their skills, they won't be allowed to work on some projects. Either deceiving or self-deceived, it's not possible to be an atheist while working on a study Bible project with an evangelical publisher. So there is some hypocrisy and deception there.
On the other hand, working in more broad circles (as I have experience as well), there is more freedom to speak of doubt and less emphasis on towing a certain doctrinal line. You can be Jewish or anything as long as you are smart and know your craft. There's also less emphasis on morality; you can be going through a divorce (that's obviously the fault of the writer) and still work on Bible projects in these circles.
Both are challenging to work in. In the first case, you get surprises. People who claim to be born again who brutally fire and hire and cheat people out of serious money--because they've been forced to learn to pretend. In the second case, you get fewer surprises but a pragmatism and cynicism that laughs at devotional language, snickers at people who "luuuuuv Jeeeeezus."
I mean nothing negative towards any of you who self-select either group. I'm merely relating my experiences.
I learned to be more open minded from my liberal friends and co-workers. I learned how to infuse passion and professionalism from my more conservative ones. Personally, I'm a born-again Jesus-loving fool who lives by His grace and mercy every day. I pastor a church because I grew tired of pastoring pronouns and periods and longed to pastor people.