The Bible and Music

I was raised Christian growing up in my house but stopped believing around middle school as I had many problems with the text and the church in general. A song I remember is Give Me Oil In My Lamp. From what I remember and through some research, it’s referencing the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This is where some of my skepticism lies, as very little has information has lasted throughout time. We know almost nothing about this parable. We really only know the passage’s meaning and the literal text. The song is in reference to virgins not bringing enough oil to keep their lamps burning all night at a wedding parade. Therefore, they are left out of the later festivities. The parable seems to hammer home the principle that Jesus is fickle about the date of his return and no one will be able to know when it will come. Therefore, they must be ready (have oil) at all times or they (the oil-less virgins) could be left out of heaven (the festivities). This reads as more of an abusive relationship than anything in modern observation. It reads as “do exactly what I want all the time because I have power over you and could harm you at whatever moment I wanted to”. This omnipotent power structure is threatening removing one’s eternal salvation for not being ready at all times. Also, since he is omnipotent, he would be able to know what will happen as he sees all. So he’d know already who isn’t going to enter heaven upon, his still undelivered, return.

My qualm lies with the fact then the creator that made people and free will won’t allow them to act on it as they could be eternally damned to hell. I’m not against punishment for crimes but eternal brimstone and hellfire for eating shrimp and not having oil seems a bit excessive.