Thursday 13 May 2010

Alphabe-Thursday Q is for Q

I am reading a book called "Questioning Q" at the moment. Yes, really I am!
For many years the accepted theological teaching was that the authors of the gospels of Matthew and Luke had both drawn on a common source, called Q, which was believed to have been a collection of sayings of Jesus, but for which direct evidence did not appear to be extant.
It was called Q for the German word Quelle, which means "source"
When I was studying for my theology degree (which by the way, I never finished) this was taught as being accepted and definite. We looked at the similarities and differences between the two gospels and where they were alike we were told that this probably meant that the two had drawn from a third source, (or one had copied from the other) OK, yes, I have simplified this somewhat but you didn't come here for a lecture now, did you!
The reason I am writing this now, though, is because this theory has come into question in more recent years and so what I was taught as - pardon the pun - "gospel" is now open to more and more scrutiny and the resulting discussions are, to me anyway, fascinating.
You have to bear in mind that theology is "talking about God" and does not in itself require any faith or belief. If you have read me before you know that I am a practising Christian but if theology has taught me anything it has taught me that it is healthy to Question, to re-think, to keep one's beliefs, principals, core values, alive and active and dynamic and to accept that sometimes you may change your mind about things.
Sorry, just had to get that of my chest!

Of course, we all know that Q grew up to build wonderful gadgets for James Bond and to make Jean-Luc Picard's life difficult.

And HERE'S some qawwali music, which I love

And please forgive me if I don't manage to respopnd to your comments or leave a comment on yours but blogger is giving me so much grief again today and keeps crashing

You'll find a long queue of Q's HERE

17 comments:

  1. Ummm! Very thought provoking JaY! Good post!

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  2. I think to grow one has to question and quest for understanding. I do this too.

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  3. This is so great. Some people are so rigid in their faith. I think it's good to question sometimes.

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  4. I like a post with a little meat in it, and this one will give me cause to come back and chew for a while.

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  5. Yay Jay!

    Are you doing anything with your jewellery? I forgot to mention earlier that there is a similar thing to Etsy based in Europe called DaWanda. To address the problem with language there are three sections, an English, a German and a French. I have a shop with the British, since that is my best language outside of Swedish.
    Take a look:
    http://en.dawanda.com/

    Best wishes,
    Anna

    Here's my Q-post:

    http://annasadornments.blogspot.com/2010/05/q-as-in-quilts-quartz-abc-wednesday.html

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  6. I am fascinated with your interest and vast knowledge in Theology..

    Mine is here
    Happy Sensational Wednesday!
    hugs
    shakira

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  7. It is always good to question, to be curious, to be open ... and Q really did make some cool gadgets!!! (loved all of your q's)

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  8. Great and meaningful post! By the way, the German word Quelle actually has two different meanings -- source as you stated and then spring (the water kind). :)

    Thanks for visiting my blog -- it has been a pleasure to meet you!

    By the way, do you know Pink Saturday? Your blog background would be perfect for that! :) On my blog there are links to Pink Saturday in case you are interested.

    Smiles,
    Birgit

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  9. Really interesting post Jay. I think it is good to question, rethink and learn all the time, it helps keep our minds young, and I think it helps promote tolerance, which is sorely lacking these days. Loved all your choices for Q. Glad to find a fellow Queen fan! Kathy

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  10. LOVED the paragraph about Bond and Picard! :) Great, and interesting, Q post!

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  11. Jay, I'm sorry blogger is giving you so much trouble. It has been quite irritating lately.

    I really enjoyed your diverse post here.

    And I must admit that I have never heard of that type of music. It is quite unusual!

    Thank you for making Alphabe-Thursday such a diverse and wonderful meme.

    And thank you for quite a fascinating "Q" post this week!

    A+

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  12. I have never heard of the book, sounds interesting though and what perfect timing for a q post.....

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  13. OH yes we will get to your post! although it sometimes takes me a couple of days because there are so many to read. Sometimes I start at whatever post is last and read towards the front. How interesting that you studied Theology. What made you decide to stop?

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  14. I have never heard that theory on the Gospels before. Interesting to think about. Great Q post!

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  15. You're so funny to link the Q source to James Bond and Star Trek. God is definitely big enough for any of our questions. Thought-full post.

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  16. Love the post...love the music...spirituality as a dynamic, ever changing pursuit...would not have it any other way...Peace and blessings

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