Often we approach the Bible "...by collecting verses. The 'grocery store' analogy is particularly helpful in describing how mainstream evangelicals approach scripture. The appearance of concordances and computer searching has allowed the emphasis on verses and lists of verses to develop to a higher level. One only need find the proper book or software, and a search can be conducted to retrieve a list of verses relating to any subject, word, or term. I compare this to going into a grocery store with a shopping list. I may need verses on marriage, parenting, and forgiveness. I take my list, run up and down the aisles, and find the verses I need..."
The Bible is a collection of books. It is not a collection of verses. He sites the chapter divisions, numbers, and other means of dividing the text are not inspired. They have been added for convenience.
iMonk gives an explanation of this point siting the gospel of Mark. "Mark is a way cool book...a book about Jesus, who he is, what he did, what it means, and the invitation to you to join those believers in the cross as the meaning for everything that matters...if you go off and treat it as an aisle in the grocery store to shop for 'verses that speak to ME' that's your perfect right, but you are missing the point."
iMonk debates approaching the Bible primarily as an inspired book, searching for verses that 'speak' to us personally. "I believe most Christians use the word 'inspiration' to mean "the Bible is a magic book, where God speaks to us in unusual ways...the contents of the Bible--the verses--have unusual power when read or applied..." As an inductive Bible study teacher, I had to step back and evaluate my methodology of how I study the Bible. Do I start my day searching for a verse that speaks to me for my day ahead? Or do I consider the New Testament as a whole, a collection of books showing me how to think and live in a world of failures, disappointments and deaths. Do I exclusively take into account my own 'self assurance or preservation' in 'picking' a verse to memorize? Am I regularly contemplating the primary message of the Bible or a personal reflection that fits me?
His crucial point is this, "...in understanding the Bible, it is far more important that we understand, as best we can, the message and meaning of entire books (of the Bible), and the story told by those books, rather than just having a personal experience with individual verses."
"Christians aren't engineers, learning every mechanical aspect of the engine we call Christianity. We are those invited to glorify God by embracing and enjoying all that he is for us in Jesus. The message of the New Testament should inspire us to the poetry, song, celebration and sacrifice of that fact. We are not examining the engine manual of a BMW to see what's wrong with us. We are looking at a newspaper with a banner headline: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!!!
His crucial point is this, "...in understanding the Bible, it is far more important that we understand, as best we can, the message and meaning of entire books (of the Bible), and the story told by those books, rather than just having a personal experience with individual verses."
"Christians aren't engineers, learning every mechanical aspect of the engine we call Christianity. We are those invited to glorify God by embracing and enjoying all that he is for us in Jesus. The message of the New Testament should inspire us to the poetry, song, celebration and sacrifice of that fact. We are not examining the engine manual of a BMW to see what's wrong with us. We are looking at a newspaper with a banner headline: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!!!
I ask for your thoughts and comments.
I love it I love it I love it I love it I love it I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteYES YES YES!!!!!
WHere is the missing step. WHy is it that we are satisfied with flannel board through adulthood. FOr years I have been frustrated with the lack of teaching how to study the scriptures. This is a step fundumentally missing in our Christian education.
I hear people tell others to study, read, and pray but there is no value behind the advice. Meaning we don't walk shoulder to shoulder with each other teaching how to do these things. We teach how to read the Book, read acceptable references (Standard materials, etc. . ) and appreciate respected comentaries.
Where is the depth to our instruction?
Have we moved into the latest step of "flannel board"? We use the buzz word "relational" and slap the picture of two people sitting together on the board, but do we really go deeper?
Someone told me the other day to call them if I needed anything. I asked them what that means. They said, "you know, if you need anything?" I asked, "neeeded what?" they had no idea how to answer that. She had no idea beyaond the flannel board statement she had heard and used forever. I do not blame her. I am not angry with her. It was a clear observation for me.
We are equipping people to answer who, what, where. . .(story for defense or individual verses) Are we discipling people to know thier hows and why's? (How these verses together are the laws and gospel of The Creator).
I want to also share this thought. In the midst of a major life even, more overwhelmed than I had ever been, a woman said to me, "I can meet with you and help you fill out applications, work on your resume/ cover letter, and figure out your liscensing needs. WOW!!!! I will remember that always. In a time of need she came to me and offered (AND followed through) in helping me with what she was prepared to do. SHe knew what and where. . . she also knew how and why. Can we truely be prepared with individual unassembled instructions?
Challenge: sit down and list what you are prepared by God to do. NOt the "Jesus answers"- the kind that get you Kudos in SUnday school. I mean what you are really prepared to do. DO this so the next time you see someone is in need, you can really help, not just show them a picture of what help looks like.
I am going to do mine. Share yours.