Exodus 21:20-21
[ranking: 1]
A Historical Perspective: This defined treatment of slaves. This clarified where the line was when it came to forceful punishment.
A Conservative Reading: The bible does not condone violence. It doesn't say people should beat their slaves, and in many other passages it even condemns it.
A Liberal Reading: This is a metaphor. If one were to do harm against another that doesn't do permanent damage we should find it in our hearts to forgive and more forward together.
Deuteronomy 22:28-29
[ranking: 2]
Historical Context: Rape in this case does not mean what it means today. In this context it's referring to having sex with a virgin. It says that once pre-martial sex is committed the two people ought to get married, and the family should be compensated for not having a say in the matter.
A Conservative Reading: As a metaphor, this means those who engage in premarital sex should get married. Furthermore, one should not think about having premarital sex if they aren't willing to face the consequences.
A Liberal Reading: The translation should be changed. This does not mean rape. Sex should happen in a safe, loving environment.
1 Timothy 2:12
[ranking: 3]
Historical Context: This passage is usually used in opposition to women becoming clergy members.
A Conservative Reading: Men and woman have equal but separate roles in society. A woman's role is to tend to the family.
A Liberal Reading: The passage was meant for a different socio-cultural time. Now that the time has passed a new interpretation is in order.
Leviticus 20:13
[ranking: 4]
Historical Context: Pagan Canaanites indulged in homosexual sex. The Canaanites were the Hebrew's enemies, and as a result many Canaanite practices were deemed contemptible.
A Conservative Reading: God intended men to sleep with women. For a man to sleep with a man is against what God created and God doesn't make mistakes.
A Liberal Reading: There are no Canaanites, society has changed, and now that homosexuality is understood to be biological, this should be thrown out like many other outdated bible verses.
Ephesians 6:5
[ranking: 5]
Historical Context: Slavery was woven into the fabric of society. This was a reflection of that time.
A Conservative Reading: Love thy enemy. Even though slavery is cruel, part of endurance is to have love for your fellow man and praise the lord even in the wake of hardship.
A Liberal Reading: This was used politically so that slaves wouldn't rise up against their masters. The intent was to use the bible to keep the class system intact.
Deuteronomy 23:2
[ranking: 6]
A Historical Context: Arranged marriages were commonplace and sex before marriage was taboo. To have a child out of wedlock would be disobeying two cardinal societal rules: no sex before marriage and no picking your sexual partner.
A Conservative Reading: To have a child out of wedlock is against God's will. To have a child out of wedlock is a detriment to that child's wellbeing.
A Liberal Reading: One's ability to enter the Congregation of the Lord now stems from acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's personal savior. This trumps all.
Deuteronomy 25:11-12
[ranking: 7]
Historical Context: Adultery was very bad at the time. This is a preemptive measure.
A Conservative Reading: Keep your hands to yourself.
A Liberal Reading: Violence is never the answer. Sexual violence is never to be tolerated.
Deuteronomy 23:2
[ranking: 8]
Historical Context: To mutilate one's own body was common in other religions at the time (piercings, burns, etc.). The old testament is against all changing of the body - this is an extreme example.
A Conservative Reading: God made you in his own image. You are to live in the body God gave you.
A Liberal Reading: Love who you are. Even if who you are is different than what people see, be true to your real self.
Deuteronomy 17:12
[ranking: 9]
Historical Context: Priests were God's disciples. To question that put everything in jeopardy.
A Conservative Reading: Your Priest knows more than you do. Listen to his advice.
A Liberal Reading: Seek the advice and the guidance of the learned. Their wisdom is a blessing.
Leviticus 20:9
[ranking: 10]
A Historical Reading: In an agricultural-based society, one's parents were the heads of the household and their word was needed for survival. Discontent in the house could have drastic consequences.
A Conservative Reading: Your parents brought you into this world and can take you out of it. You are theirs.
A Liberal Reading: Respect for family is important. This is not to be taken literally.
Exodus 23:23
[ranking: 11]
Historical Context: There were many nonbelievers at the time. The Hebrews were a minority. This basically said, "trust me as God."
A Conservative Perspective: Those who do not accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior will see God's judgement. Only God can judge.
A Liberal Perspective: It's important to respect those who are different than you. It's not up to you who lives and dies, that's God. What God wants people to do is love thy neighbor.
Matthew 5:28
[ranking: 12]
Historical Context: A wife is a husband's property. To look at her lustfully is akin to thinking about stealing.
A Conservative Reading: Stop sinful thinking at the first sign of it. Do not commit then repent. Stop before you start.
A Liberal Reading: Love your spouse with all your heart. Do not look lustfully at others. Do not be jealous of others. Be grateful for what you have.
Mark 12:19
[ranking: 13]
Historical Context: If a woman was arranged to be married, but the husband died before children were conceived, the arrangement between the two families is to stay in tact.
A Conservative Reading: A union of families extends beyond death. If a woman's husband were to die, or vice versa, their extended family is still family. Marriage of a brother is allowed, but of course not mandatory.
A Liberal Reading: It is important to be true to the ones you love by honoring them in death. This is not to be taken literally.
Leviticus 20:10
[ranking: 14]
A Historical Reading: To commit adultery in that time would have had deep impacts for both families, dating back generations. To commit adultery could lead to far more unrest back then then it would today.
A Conservative Reading: To commit adultery should be seen as one of the worst crimes imaginable. Love your spouse and love your family.
A Liberal Reading: There's a lot at stake when it comes to adultery. Think about your loved ones before doing anything you regret.
Mark 9:43
[ranking: 15]
Historical Context: Christ is saying Christians should not tolerate sin as a part of their soul. They should work to rid themselves of sin, even if it's as painful as chopping off one's hand.
A Conservative Reading: Small parts of a big faction that cause trouble should be shunned. Sinners within a good community are not to be tolerated just as sin within one's self shouldn't be tolerated either.
A Liberal Reading: If a member of the community, i.e. a part of the whole, sins, then the whole must work together to help that member overcome sin.
Proverbs 22:15
[ranking: 16]
Historical Context: Children worked for the family. A parent's word reigned supreme and was often necessary for survival.
A Conservative Reading: Listen to your parents. They are in charge.
A Liberal Reading: Seek your parents' wisdom.
Leviticus 20:27
[ranking: 17]
Historical Context: Most other religions at the time worshipped idols and men claimed to be Gods. This strictly prohibits that practice.
A Conservative Reading: Don't pretend to know what only God knows. Don't blame others for your sins.
A Liberal Reading: Don't feel like you know all there is to know about the world. Don't judge a book by its cover.
Leviticus 19:27
[ranking: 18]
Historical Context: Causing self harm is bad. Back then, shaving involved lots of cuts and bloodshed. This was meant to stop self harm.
A Conservative Perspective: Do not cause harm to your body in a way that isn't true to what God intended your body to be.
A Liberal Perspective: Do not feel you need to conform to others if it means harming yourself or your body.
Exodus 22:19
[ranking: 19]
Historical context: Worshipping idols at the time was very bad, especially because almost every other religion at the time was doing it.
A Conservative Reading: Only God knows the truth. Worship the one.
A Liberal Reading: Be true to those who helped create and shape you. That includes God, your parents, and your teachers.
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