Bravo, sir! Careful! You’re preaching borderline heresy lol

I remember reading Spinoza’s “Theological Political Treatise”, of which the first half is an historical, strictly cultural and temporal, interpretation of the Old Testament. An analysis that got him excommunicated from his Jewish community. At the time I found it very refreshing and original (which it was for its time). I’ve since sought out similar interpretations and analyses, many of which you have cited in previous articles, so I know I’m preaching to the choir.

But I have to caution that it is a slippery slope to what some would consider “heretical beliefs”. A slope that I gladly leapt upon, while squealing “WEEEEEE!!”

If parts, not all, of the Bible are divinely inspired and we must use use wisdom, tradition, and culture to help us parse out which parts are pertinent to our reality here and now… then what of other “divinely inspired” texts and wisdom traditions? If someone feels that those apply to their situation and helps them more than (or as equal to) the Christian Bible, then how are we to refute them and save their souls?

(sorry for the sarcasm at the end there)