Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Reading the Bible As Though You Have A Brain: The Two Our Fathers

I'm starting this "Reading the Bible As Though You Have A Brain" series to get the you to think critically about Scripture. To many Catholics (and Christians as a whole) take most things about the Bible for granted. We are starting by thinking about the Our Father.
Matthew 6:9-13
“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;
Luke11:2-4
He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”

I used a different translation than we use in Church on purpose. Hopefully seeing the language slightly differently can help you think freshly about these passages. Notice that Luke's is shorter and that both versions include to a command to pray in a specific manner.  What might it mean that there are two different versions?  Which one is "correct?"  If so why?  Post your thoughts in the comments.

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