From 2 Timothy 3: Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
The Bible is a dangerous thing. Throughout history, people have used portions of God's Word to do very stupid things, and some have even used it to justify horrific and vile actions against humanity. Many try to use it as a simplistic code for morality, and yet - even though they endeavor to follow it's principles to the letter - their life and their actions can't be said to be defined by love.
What is it about the Bible that is so confusing... so perplexing? It's by far the best selling book in the world (so I'm told) - heck, most households have at least one Bible, and the majority of Christians have several. One look at the shelves of a Christian bookstore and you can see why... there may be one Bible but a whole plethora of versions, translations, etc. There's a Bible for any particular sub-group to which you may belong. It's kind of embarrassing... 'cause I'm willing to bet that even though practically every American has access to at least one Bible, not too many people seem to actually read it.
But I don't know what's worse... not reading the Bible, or reading it in a vacuum... apart from a community of people who desire to interpret and live out the fullness of what the scriptures teach. I believe Paul when he says, "Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." But my experience and education have taught me that this "shaping" doesn't happen to isolated individuals - at least not very often - rather, it happens to people within an authentic community of faith. The problem, of course, is that not all communities are created (or shaped) equally. If those charged with proclaiming the scriptures seek to do anything more or less than love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (and consequently love their neighbor as themselves)... then the community won't be defined by the essence of God's character - that of self-emptying love.
So what's my point? Well, that's the beauty of a spiritual diary I suppose... it doesn't have to make complete sense! But Here's what I'm trying to articulate:
The Bible, in all it's beauty and mystery and authority, has been woefully misused and misunderstood over the centuries - both by the world and by God's people. It seems we either want to elevate it to the status of God (which is idolatry), or reduce it to a collection of nonsensical fables. But I don't believe the Bible should be force-fit into either of those categorical extremes.
It is not just a humanistic collection of stories... However, that claim cannot be understood apart from a hunger to know the person of God... the faith of a child to believe the Creator of the universe lives, and has made a way to communicate directly with His creation.
On the other hand, it is not divine either. The scriptures are not God... they are the witness of God... the revelation of God. How does the Bible reveal God? He is so gracious, He chose not to dictate every word that was written down... He didn't reveal Himself as abstract truth... Instead, He revealed Himself to a particular people, within a particular cultural context. Essentially, He gave the people what they could understand - the story of His grace interweaving through His fallen creation to redeem it. And that story of grace continues right up to the present day (and beyond). His Spirit helps us... within a community of faith... to interpret that same story for our own lives... enabling us to understand it in light of our own cultural context.
Therefore, the Bible is far more profound than what it may appear to be. My desire and calling is to inspire people to read it together... and interpret it together... and live it out together... It is the awesome story of God... the God who loves us... the God who emptied Himself... the God who came into this world in the only way that we could understand His love... the God who gave up His life for our sake. When it's all said and done, the Bible is not a simple collection of laws or principles for Christian living... it is ultimately about the Holy Person of Jesus Christ - the One who personally invites us to let His story be our story.
2 comments:
Hey dude, Just wanted to let you know that I consider myself an emergent too. Heck, I would say that I'm postmodern (I'm 26 yrs old. does that count?) I definitely relate to the emerging philosophy/theology/spirituality. I've read some of your other posts as well. I enjoyed the church one. I went to M7 too. I also appreciate traditional and church growth models as well as emerging. I think our God is big enough to handle them all without much hassle. It usually us who messes Him up, not He messing us up. I was also interested in where you're planting a church in the Northwest. I live in Ohio right now, but may be moving to the Northwest very soon for a ministry position (youth pastor). Alright. Take care man. I'll continue to check out your blog.
-Jeremy Shunk
Hey Jeremy, I don't know how you found me, but I'm glad you did. We're still in the process of waiting to see if we're called to plant a church in Ellensburg, Washington. It's a small town in the middle of the state. It's an eclectic mix of coffee drinking Northwesters who are either more agriculturally minded, or Western Washington transplants who are looking for a better quality of life. We definitely fit into the eclectic Northwester category, so it seems like a good fit for us! Look us up if you head our way.
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