Ben McManus- The LORD and Tony Soprano

Ben McManus- The LORD and Tony Soprano

If God is a “Jealous God” where does he get off saying, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house”? “It’s hypocrisy!” Exclaim the doubting Thomas types. And indeed it is, but does that mater? Is complete fidelity to the rules a requirement for the rule maker? That would be nice, and it would make the rules easier to believe in, but I don’t think it could ever work. If someone decides that God is his/her superior, then clearly the rules can’t apply to God. We don’t follow the rules we set for our pets. We often tell our dogs to stay off the very sofa we sit on as we tell them. Tony Soprano, who is more than a man, though less than a God, rarely follows the rules he sets in motion. But, as long as every member of his crew, except him, follows the rules, everything works out okay. It works because, as the leader, Tony lives just above the rules. For the most part, he knows when to break them, not only to make things right when a compromise is necessary, but also, simply to demonstrate his superiority. His infidelity says of him, “I am more than you. In fact, I have to be.” Obviously Tony is more a demon than a creature of God, but this parallel helped me to understand the little hypocrisies that drove me out of Sunday school as an eleven year old.

Ben Mcmanus- The Fortunate Son and The Tragic Hero

The Fortunate Son and The Tragic Hero

I must start by admitting that I now retract my previous statements about the bible being a bore. The story of Moses is both compelling and beautiful. I feel a large portion of my personal shift in opinion has to do with the increased complexity of characters in Exodus. Portions of Exodus allowed me to feel like I was in the story, rather than being informed about it. Though, I’m sure, an engaging narrative is far from the bible’s main intention, it helped me focus on the content. As readers, we get to know Moses better than any other character, thus far. I could relate to Moses’ doubt in himself, and that he could set it aside for his belief in a greater power. Even more interesting, to me, than Moses, was the Pharaoh. For me, the Pharaoh came across as a perfectly tragic figure. Yes, he does bad things: He won’t let the people go. But does he have a choice? Or is he simply at the mercy of God’s will? If in fact, “The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh” then who’s really responsible for what’s going on? I can understand the Pharaoh going up against God when flies and frogs are all that’s on the table, but the immanent death of his own son? No man, who possesses free will, could ever allow that. Seen from a certain perspective, the story presents an interesting tragic scenario. A man forced to challenge God, by God himself.

A First Time Reader

Ben McManus

Thank you Bible for giving me a chance to use the word "Ambivalent!"

I have never read the Bible before. I think this is because I assumed it would be tedious. After the first day of class, I started to suspect that I might actually find it interesting. Then I picked it up, and, as it turns out, the former was correct. The text seems monotonous to me. I struggle to engage myself in the stories, and I’m generally unhappy while I read it. That being said, the moment I put it down, I experience a strange urge to pick it back up.   I catch myself thinking about it at random. After these spells of intrigue, I run back to the text, pick it up, read a few pages, and am reminded that I really don’t enjoy it. And yet, an hour or so later, it creeps back into my head. It’s a vicious cycle.

Femme Fatale from day one.

A reoccurring theme I’ve noticed in the Bible is one that really can’t go unnoticed. It’s one of ignorant men and deceitful women. I like the women more. For the most part, I’m bored while I read the Bible. I’m bored until, usually without warning, a woman decides to do something mischievous, like seriously mischievous. The prime example, of course, is Eve. What a trendsetter! My second favorite, thus far, are Lot’s daughters. They get him drunk, sleep with him, and then in the morning, he conveniently forgets the whole thing. Or at least, that’s what he says. I feel it necessary also to give a shout out to Rebekah, for her actions Genesis 27. Disguising her favorite son Jacob as Esau to trick the father was a clever plan. It actually moved me, sort of close, to the edge of my seat. Upon reflection, I suppose I should be angry with these women for making me eat from the tree of knowledge all of my days, but I can’t help being grateful for the dramatic conflict they incite. Thanks girls! For all the good, or rather bad, work.

Ben McManus