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Words from our Pastor
What is the Bible?
A) The best- selling book of all time
B) Not a book, exactly, more like a
library of books—66 to be exact
C) The “Word of God,”
D) The inspired words of human beings
written down a long time ago
E) God’s book
F) The Church’s book
At one level I think the answer is all of the above – and more. This best selling library of books, written and compiled over a 1,000 years by dozens and dozens of human authors and editors, is also God’s Word to us through which we encounter God and discover the truth about ourselves.
I especially like the definition I read recently from a very helpful dictionary of theological terms called Crazy Talk: A Not-so-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms, edited by Rolf A. Jacobson. “Bible /bī-buhl/n: A book that Christians believe is so holy and inspired that they almost never read it for fear that it might draw them closer to God and neighbor or change their lives in some other inconvenient way.” (p.27) Yes, we Christians proclaim the Bible is the Word of God and happily note it’s always on the best seller list, but usually leave out the part about most people rarely reading it.
I grant with the authors of Crazy Talk that part of the reason the Bible is left unread may be the danger that we sense from taking the message and direction of the Bible seriously. There are some really radical passages there about loving our enemies and giving what we have to those in need. However, we also know that much of the Bible is difficult for modern readers to understand. As an ancient library, the Bible contains all kinds of literature, from poetry, prayers and puns to prophecy and parables. Many of these writings come from a historical and literary context of which we are just not familiar. Consequently, it is import to note that this “Divine” book is also the church’s book, because we need the wisdom and insights of others to help us put many of the more difficult passages in context.
I certainly never want to imply that one cannot read the Bible on his or her own, but there are some basic insights about context that are essential. How do we make sense of those violent Old Testament passages or the strange (to us) apocalyptic visions of Revelation? Well, let me let you in on a secret - not even all long-term students of the Bible agree on how to answer those questions. Nevertheless, I still find it useful to consult those who have pondered these questions and studied the culture and language more than I have. With the aid of gifted teachers, preachers, and scholars, together we can get closer to understanding God’s will for us.
This year we are encouraging those who attend of SCC to read the entire Bible (see the challenge and plan spelled out on page 2 of the SCC News), both on their own and in conversation with others. We will be meeting regularly to discuss the suggested readings for the week or month. I will say I do not believe that simply reading the Bible from start to finish, as we will be encouraging this year, is the only way, nor perhaps even the best way to read the Bible. We may at times get discouraged when we get behind schedule. Those who are new to the Bible may find some of the Old Testament especially difficult. We will inevitably pass by many important passages too quickly in order to accomplish our reading goal for the day. However, I think it is very useful for Christians, at least from time to time, to read the Bible straight through. We miss out on some good stuff if we focus only on our favorite, familiar passages. In addition, I think reading the “Grand Sweep” of the Bible is helpful so that one does know the broad outline of the bible and can better understand the Hebrew context for the coming of Christ and the New Testament. Our Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, was after all Jesus and his disciples’ scriptures.
Hopefully, through reading and studying together, we can fulfill what Timothy in our scripture of the month for March declares “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Grace and Peace,
David