Answer the following in one paragraph or less:

In this past unit you looked at conic sections and how by taking different cross sections you can get different graphs. Once again we see this idea that vantage point, or perspective impacts what is found…not because there are an infinite number of realities but because there is one reality that can be understood in an almost infinite number of ways.

We tend to think that the idea that people have different perspectives is a new one and that “back then” in the biblical times, people just all thought the same way and were narrow minded. In reality, however, we see that in the Ancient Near East, where the majority of the events of the Bible took place, people had a keen understanding of the value of looking at the same one truth from a variety of angles. This did not mean that there were conflicting truths. The nation of Israel was formed on the basis that there is one God, who is Yahweh, which necessarily eliminates the possibility of there being multiple gods or even another god. That said, the Old Testament is filled with so many different names for God, and so many different experiences of God that the fullness of this one truth is explored from many, many different angles.

In the New Testament, we see this idea pursued even further. Instead of one unanimous account of Jesus, we are given 4 different gospels all about the same person. Each of these accounts is unique and particularized to what mattered most historically for that particular gospel-hearing community.

Discussion: Share an example of a time where you experienced multiple perspectives on the same one event or experience. How did hearing those varied perspectives give you a richer understanding of that single occurrence? Be sure to use the content above to enhance your answer.