Spirituality and Culture
Two pieces of religious literature indicate with special clarity the essential connectedness of spiritual maturity and cultural consciousness. The first call comes from Exodus 3:18, “On Horeb,” the scripture tells, “the angel of YHVH appeared to Moses in the shape of a flame of fire, coming from the middle of a bush.” There was the bush, blazing, but it was not being burnt up. “I must go and look at this strange sight,” Moses said, “And see why the bush is not burnt.” Now YHVH saw him go forward to look and God called to him from the middle of the bush. "Moses," he said. "Come no nearer. Take off your shoes, for the place where you are is holy ground." And then YHVH said, “I have seen the miserable state of my people in Egypt. I have heard their appeal to be free. I am well aware of their sufferings. I mean to deliver them. So, I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out.” The message is a dramatic one: Just at what would seem to be the moment of Moses’ total ...