Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic View book of Ruth

The book of Ruth is one of the most beloved books of the Bible, and it provides a compelling narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and love. It is a story of a family—Elimelech and his two sons, Mahlon and Chillon—and two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, who seek refuge in the foreign land of Moab due to a severe famine in their native home of Bethlehem. Though the family eventually dies off, Ruth and Naomi are left in Moab and return to Bethlehem. Ruth’s perseverance in her faith and her dedication to her mother-in-law is a source of inspiration for many. 

Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic view of the book of Ruth is an intriguing perspective to consider. Gnostics believe that knowledge is obtained by revelation, and that hidden truths can be discovered through faith. In keeping with this thought, they view the book of Ruth as being an allegory of the Christian experience, illustrating the grace of God in the face of suffering, and depicting the struggle between good and evil. Ruth is seen as an embodiment of the Spirit of God; a representative of the loving, faithful relationship between God and the Church. Orpah, then, is seen as an example of temptation and its power; ultimately, she turns away from her mother-in-law Naomi and her God, and disregards the promise made to Ruth. 

In the Gnostic view, the story of Ruth is seen as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of each individual. As she declares her allegiance to Naomi, Ruth is defended by God in the face of adversity—as a symbol of the protection and power of our faith. Perseverance in the face of trials is an essential element of the Christian faith, and a major theme of the book of Ruth. In the end, Ruth overcomes temptation, and ultimately establishes a place for herself in the world with the steadfast love of God. 

The Book of Ruth is a narrative passage in the Hebrew Bible, which is generally accepted by Christians as is and recounts the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman and her mother-in-law Naomi, both of whom were widows. In this tale, Ruth embraces the Israelite culture of the time and accepts the God of the Israelites, YHWH, as her own. Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic Christianity has an especially unique perspective on the book of Ruth, believing that it is an allegory and foreshadowing various aspects of their own theology.

In primitive Pentecostal Gnostic Christianity, the main idea of the Book of Ruth is that Ruth represents a spiritual conversion. Ruth’s ‘divine bridegroom’ and ‘kinsman-redeemer’, Boaz, is said to symbolize the reappearance of YHWH in the lives of Ruth and Naomi. The idea of the spiritual redemption of humanity is further developed by the second marriage of Boaz and Ruth, which has been seen as a reference to the ‘wedding of the Lamb’, commonly talked about in Christian literature, particularly the Book of Revelation. To modern Pentecostalists, the narrative of Ruth can be seen as a call to Christianity and a reminder of the importance of looking for the Lord Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

Within the symbolism of the narrative, especially for Gnostics, it is possible to see beyond the world of matter, the physical world. Boaz is seen as a spiritual guide, connected to God and a bridge between the physical and spiritual world. The way he chooses Ruth over many other women seen as more suitable reflects the spirituality of the narrative, as the seemingly unsuitable choice of Ruth can be interpreted as being a higher appreciation of God’s will over human judgment. Primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism gives particular emphasis to the role of Elimelech as a symbol of abandonment of the Jewish faith, with Naomi's decision to return being an opportunity for her rediscovery of faith.

While different views exist on the interpretation of the Book of Ruth, the underlying message is clear: no matter how difficult the circumstances, faith in God and faithfulness to the task at hand is the only way to redemption. Gnostics in particular point to the larger spiritual implications of the narrative, seeing it as an allegory for the spiritual redemption of humanity through the reappearance of Jesus Christ.

The book of Ruth is a look at God’s graciousness in the face of trials and tribulations, and a reminder of the importance of faith and perseverance. The Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic view of the book of Ruth helps to further deepen the understanding of the narrative, and provides an opportunity to consider the power of grace in the individual journey. It is evident that the story of Ruth is one of faith and resilience, with God’s grace ever present even in the most difficult of circumstances.

References

Herzog II, W. R. (1998). Interpreting the Book of Ruth: Focusing on Its Narrative and Poetic Artistry. Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 60(2), 218-233.

Mcgrath, M. G. (2016). The Lost Teachings of Jesus: From the King of the Jews to the Son of Man. Llewellyn Worldwide.