Jesus and the Bible

As I've continued my reading in Marcus Borg's 2003 book, The Heart of Christianity, I ran across a chapter on the central reality of Jesus in which Borg says, "... Christians find the ultimate disclosure of God in a person and not in a book, Jesus is more central than the Bible."  This does not make the Bible a less inspiring book, but it does remind us that Christianity is relational and the focal point of Christian faith is not about following creeds or doctrines that have their foundations in the Bible, but following a person that the Bible provides witness.  James Barr's 1980 book, The Scope and Authority of the Bible, says the same thing when he claims that the authority of the Holy Bible is found in its witness - and in particular the New Testament witness to what it says about Jesus Christ.  

All this goes to say, "How is it with your soul in the hands of Jesus Christ today?"  Have you had time to stop your busy schedule and spend a few minutes with him in prayer and Bible as you ponder his words to you in these pages of Holy Scripture?  While I'm not a big fan of opening the Bible to wherever it may lay, and read that text as God's Word for me.  No, I find that kind of study diminishes the value of the Bible.  I do find quality time with God when I take the time each day or each week to systematically read through a book in the Bible.  This way I get the context in which the stories are written and that provides a much better framework for me to use the Bible as a portal to interpret my own life stories in the context of these storied biblical backgrounds.

Enjoy your time with God today, and when you read the Bible, remember, you do not read just to gain information.  You read in order that you might know the God of the Bible from whom you can gain transformation, even the salvation of your soul.  Yes. . . how is it with your soul today in the hands of Jesus Christ?  Read the Bible and discover what God has to say about what matters most in your personal relationship with God through Jesus?

Dennis 

What's Holy about the Bible?

I have been spending time rereading Marcus Borg's 2003 book, The Heart of Christianity.  I have to say that I don't agree with everything Marcus Borg says in his writings, but as a college professor of mine once said, "If you can't find something you agree with and something you disagree with when you read any book, then you haven't read critically enough."  Having prefaced my comments with such words, let me share something Marcus Borg wrote about the Bible that I do agree with - it is on page 48 where he writes, "But a clear vision of the Bible and its role in the Christian life requires seeing it as both sacred scripture and human product.  It is human in origin, and sacred in status and function."

What does this mean?  For me, it means that the Bible is both the sacred writing of an infallible God and the historical product of fallible humans.  While it is impossible to read the Bible as if it were a divine Dictaphone, the Bible does contain the Word of God that is infallible in matters of faith and practice.  The art of interpretation is how you unpack Scripture so that you separate the societal norms and cultural milieus of its ancient worldview - which are conditioned by time and space - from the Word of God that reveals the nature of God and human condition - which are eternal through time and space.  All this requires a focus on the meaning of the stories that explores the Bible for what it really is; a theological book written to tell us what God looks like, what we look like, and what God requires of us.

So, what is Holy about the Bible?  Everything, if you understand that while you may not want to interpret every story in the Bible as literal history (like the creation stories of Genesis) there is literal truth on every page of Scripture.  Through a steady diet of reading Holy Scripture every day, we can discover what is Holy about the Bible, and that is a journey that helps us to discover what is the mind of Christ, what is a heart for God, and what is the courage that can sustain us in the living of our days on earth.Perhaps October would be a good month for you to explore the Bible by reading a chapter a day.  There are four full weeks in October.  What if you spent the first three weeks reading the Gospel of John, which has 21 chapters?  All you need is 1/2 hour a day for reading and meditation.  Then use the final week to read through the three epistles of I John, 2 John, 3 John.  Those three epistles have 7 chapters total.  Within the month of October you will have read through the Gospel of John and the 3 epistles of John.  When you read ask yourself the questions of meaning . . . what do these stories tell me about God, and about myself and about the relationship that God is calling me into with God and the world around me? If you do, then you may discover infallible truths that transcend both time and space, the truths that will help you discover what is on God’s mind, what is in God’s heart, and the courage displayed by the One who came to save us all.

God bless you on your journey.

Dennis 

What's Holy about the Bible?

I have been spending time rereading Marcus Borg's 2003 book, The Heart of Christianity.  I have to say that I don't agree with everything Marcus Borg says in his writings, but then again, I like to read books from authors where I disagree, and as a college professor of mine once said, "If you can't find something you both agree and disagree with when you read a book, then you haven't read critically enough."  Having prefaced my comments with the above statements, let me share something that Marcus Borg wrote about the Bible that I really do agree with - it is on page 48 where he writes, "But a clear vision of the Bible and its role in the Christian life requires seeing it as both sacred scripture and human product.  It is human in origin, and sacred in status and function."  

What does this mean?  For me, it means that the Bible is both the sacred writing of an infallible God and the human product of the fallible humans who were inspired to write it.  While it is impossible to read the Bible as if you were reading the manuscript of a divine Dictaphone, the Bible does contain the Word of God that is infallible in matters of faith and practice.  What is important is how you unpack the Scriptures through the art of interpretation so that you separate the societal norms and cultural milieus of its ancient world - which are conditioned by time and space - from the eternal truths of God's Word - which are eternal through time and space.  This requires a focus on the meaning of the stories, and that involves questions that explores the Bible for what it is; a theological book that is written to tell us what God looks like, what we look like, and what God requires of us.

So, what is Holy about the Bible?  Everything, if you understand that while you may not want to take every story in the Bible as literal history (like the creation stories of Genesis) there is literal truth on every page of Scripture.  Perhaps October could be a good month for you to explore the Bible by reading a chapter a day.  There are four full weeks in October.  What if you spent the first three weeks reading the Gospel of John, which has 21 chapters.  All you need is 1/2 hour a day for reading and meditation.  Then use the final week to read through the three epistles of I John, 2 John, 3 John.  Those three epistles have 7 chapters total.  Within the month of October you will have read through the entire  Gospel of John and the three epistles of John.  As you read ask yourself the questions of meaning . . . what do these stories tell me about God, about myself and the relationship that God is calling me into with both God and the world around me?  If you do, then you will discover infallible truths that transcend both time and space.

God bless you on your journey.  

Dennis 

Fear and Trembling

Philippians 2:12-13 says, "Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work our your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  As United Methodists we don't speak much about working out salvation in fear and trembling.  It reminds us way too much of judgmental preachers who gave us nightmares of spending eternity in hell, lest we die before we confess Jesus as Lord.   Yes, what if you left that church revival without coming to the altar, leaving only to be hit by a speeding train while attempting to cross the railroads tracks, only to wake up, finding yourself in hell for all eternity.  These and many other finely painted scenarios were a popular way preachers used to scare the hell out of parishioners to get them into heaven.   Some still preach it today.

But before you dismiss this text in fear of returning nightmares, let's take a deeper look at Philippians 2:12 and 13.  The word Paul uses for work can be defined as "bringing an act to its completion."  The terms he uses for fear and trembling does not suggest the type of fear and trembling that, as William Barclay says, "disobedient slaves have toward their harsh masters," but "the fear and trembling that comes with the knowledge that without our cooperation, God is helpless to complete the salvation work within each of us."  What is important is that we cooperate with God in obeying him and walking the path God puts before us.  In this way, we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, but the kind of fear and trembling that humbles us knowing that the Holy God, of whose face we are not worthy to look upon, has invited us by his grace to join him on an adventure that will lead to the salvation of our souls.  Salvation is a journey.  It is a journey that begins with saying that Jesus is Lord, as Peter once did, but that is just the beginning of the journey.  This journey is a journey of grace as we learn to walk with God, trusting God along the way!

I've been preaching on what it means to work our your salvation with fear and trembling using the Exodus (the story of ancient Israel's salvation history) as the backdrop for what God wishes to say to us today.  This Sunday I am preaching on the Crossing of the Sea.  Why don't you come and join us for worship and learn how to work out your salvation.

Dennis 

Shake and Bake

Last Wednesday, August 27, we finished our ten week study of ACTS 29 - a book by Dr. Terry Teykl.  In our last session we explored the 28th chapter of Acts where Paul is shipwrecked on the island of Malta along with the crew and other prisoners who were on their way to Rome.  Paul is building a fire to  help warm the men when suddenly a viper comes out biting Paul on the hand, grabbing his hand.  Paul shakes the snake off his hand and into the fire.  When the island natives expected Paul to die from the poison of a snake bite, Paul lives.  He doesn't swell up or have any negative side effects.  How to interpret this is important.

I don't think we should handle snakes as a sign of God's favor upon us.  If Jesus refused to jump down from the highest point of the Temple, knowing he would be rescued, but refusing to do so saying, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test," then I think we should not handle snakes as a means of testing our faith in God.  All this aside, what does it mean for us?  Dr. Teykl suggests a   few things.

1. Paul ignored the Viper Snake.
Do not give undue attention to the remarks or attacks that other may make on your character and integrity.  While you want to stand up for yourself, don't make more out of it than necessary. 

2. Paul shook the Viper Snake off his hand.
Do something to shake off the attack.  Is someone persecuting you in unjust ways?  Pray for them.  Seek justice. Pray again.  Turn their attacks over to the power of God who deals with all men and women.  Be as proactive in praying for those who persecute you as they are in their persecution of you.  The Scripture teaches us that the Holy Spirit is a good helper and counselor in these times.

3. After you shake, let it bake.
The fire can represent the Holy Spirit.  Turn the evil intent over to the Holy Spirit and let it bake in the Spirit of God's judgment.  As Terry says, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, rise and seek the Spirit's guidance."  Vengeance is not the way of the Christian.  Vengeance belongs to God, and not to us, but circumstances can leave us feeling lost and without direction.  Seek God's guidance.

4. Continue your service in ministry.
Don't let the misfortunes or trials of life keep you from the calling God has for you.  Those who ride horses know - if you fall off - and you will - just get back on.  Get back in God's will for your life.

I hope you've enjoyed my blog on Dr. Terry Teykl's book, ACTS 29.  I hope something I've written has helped you reflect more deeply on your own discipleship.  God bless you in your journey.

Dennis

Acts 12 - Prayers for Healing

It is not easy to be the body of Christ.  We are not a perfect people, but people striving toward perfection by seeking to live in relationship to the God who is perfect in love.  Nevertheless, despite God's continued love toward all human beings, things happen.  As Dr. Terry Teykl writes in this chapter ... "A pastor simply burns out, a leader's marriage falls apart, a youth director is slandered, a Sunday school teacher fails to et recognition, an associate does not receive a much-needed raise - the casualty lists are endless.  And the results are the same.  Feelings are hurt, a wound is inflicted, they come bound, imprisoned by resentment and anger and ultimately they don't minister any longer." 

This week, take time to pray for those you know who have been hurt and have allowed this hurt to cause them to drop out of church.  Let's pray that the wounds which have been inflicted will find healing in the presence of a God who loves them and loving Christian people who are willing to help them find their way back home to God's house.  We must never forget that prayer is not just about anticipating the coming of the kingdom in its fullness, but it's also about not leaving behind those who have felt left behind from the pain put upon them by others.  Let us pray for reconciled hearts, always with God, and whenever possible, with the people who have been at odds with each other.  This wee, pray that God will heal broken relationships.

For as Dr. Teykl writes, "As part of the body suffers, we all suffer.  When they go free, we are free."  I think if you read your Bible, you will find this statement by Dr. Teykl to be very biblical.  God bless you in your prayers this week as we continue our prayer journey through the Acts of the Apostles.

Dennis

Acts 10 - A Harvest of Households

As we continue through Dr. Terry Teykl's book, Acts 29, we are learning how to use the book of Acts as a prayer guide and in Acts 10 Dr. Teykl makes an interesting observation when he writes, "Cornelius was devout, he gave generously, and he prayed regularly.  Yet, he was lost - religious and lost."  What a powerful statement for today's culture, for in our world Cornelius would be considered a spiritual man, one who practiced a faith of human generosity in giving and godly conversation in prayer.  What a wonderful man he is and yet he was lost.  He was religious, but he was lost. 

Why was he lost?  He wasn't lost because he did not attend church or synagogue.  Let's be clear about that point.  Cornelius, though a Gentile, may have been what was called in those days a Godfearer, one who attended synagogue meetings for the prayers and the interpretation of scripture, but was not a Jewish proselyte, meaning he did not convert to the Jewish religion.  He was a spiritualist, but lost in terms of knowing a relationship with God.  It wasn't until the Holy Spirit sent Peter to his home that Cornelius and his entire household were saved - baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and now recipients of God's Holy Spirit!

As we continue to use Acts of the Apostles as a guide for prayer, the emphasis that Dr. Teykl makes is the importance and significance of praying for entire households.  One ministry we can recommit to this fall is to pray for the salvation of entire households.  Do you know families that need the saving grace of Jesus Christ?  This week, think about the unchurched households on your street this week and pray for them.  Also pray for the families that God would send to your church.  Pray that they find a place in your church where they can come and worship together as a family, and if not in your church, then to a church God leads them.

As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:18 - we are called into a ministry of reconciliation.  Let us pray for the reconciliation that needs to take place within families - both with God and within each of the family members.

Dennis