Wednesday Bible Study: Treason and necromancy

For Biblical literalists, there is obviously more than enough embarrassment. The Bible is a torrent of contradictions, absurdities, and moral depravity. But 1 Samuel 28 has got to be right up there with the biggest of them. That David, who will soon become king of Judah and then of all Israel agrees to commit treason seems problematic. I suppose the apologists have an interpretation that explains why this is theologically salutary.  Then we come to the raising of the dead. Judaism as a whole is not very interested in the afterlife, although Christianity is obviously obsessed with it. But this passage does mean that at least at the time it was written, there was a belief that life continued after death in some form, evidently underground, and that people existed who had the power to recall the dead. Strangely, however, this is the only time it happens and in later writings the whole idea has been forgotten. In any case, this seems inconsistent with Christian belief which consigns the unbaptized to purgatory. It is certainly utterly absurd.28 In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.”2 David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.”Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”Saul and the Medium at Endor3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buri...
Source: Stayin' Alive - Category: American Health Source Type: blogs