Of written Gospel's the Church possesses four---
not one---so that each writer's personality
could be expressed with individuality,
making each version not less but more
contributing to believablity.
Starward
[*/+/^]
Author's Notes/Comments:
For the last word of the last line, I would have, first, written "credibility," but this violated the propreity of the rhyme. I think the Lord used this to bring me to my second, and more useful, choice---"believability." To work as they were and are intended, the reader must bring believability (which is bestowed by the reader subjectively), which is, I think, a higher function than laboratory credibility. Instead of the mere credibility of secular reasoning, they seek for, and expect, believability, which is a spiritually responsive reasoning.
"Making each version not less
"Making each version not less but more"—
You composed a very astute observation after stepping back and looking at the gospels as viewpoints in one grand vista. As Divine wisdom would have it, such a vast scope needed different vantage points flowing from four different channels in order to bring the unknowable through the "darkened glass" of human consciousness: to draw back the veil, personalize it for each of us.
I noticed at different points in my life, different "voices" in the Bible spoke to me in just the right way along my journey.
Before I read your notes, interestingly enough, I formed an instant opinion of your word choice: believability. I personally love the word "belief" because it not only has cadence but exactly the shade of meaning you needed for your analysis of God's word: a pure faith rather than a verdict based on concrete facts.
A succinct, insightful illumination of the Gospels.
Thank you for this. You have
Thank you for this. You have validated the poem for me. Like you, I love the word "belief" in all of its forms, especially the way it is repeated throughout John's Gospel where it is attached, in splendid simplicity, to the assurance of Salvation. Your comment has definitely given me more to think about---which is why I consider you to be my mentor.
Starward
You're always welcome.
You're always welcome.