We talked this Sunday (Jan. 17) about the things we learned about the Bible as children and the way our understanding of the Bible changes as we grew into adulthood. I was struck by the ways we identified we moved from a passive observer in the community conversation about scripture to playing a more active role. I also liked the analogy of a movement from mystery to intimacy. And though none of us may feel very active in the process of community interpretation of scripture, our presence in a Bible study certainly indicates movement in our lives beyond passive observers.
I asked you to consider what it means in the church (both big "C" and at Skyline, specifically) to call the scriptures "God's Word" to you. I look forward to learning about your perspective. Please feel free to share your thoughts as a response to this entry.
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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
ReplyDeleteJohn 1:1-5 (Today's New International Version)
When I refer to the Bible as God’s word, I am considering it “inspired”. The concept of inspiration is loaded with the connotations of inerrancy for many Christians; however, I consider biblical inspiration to be the living presence of God in His Word. Judging by the history of developing the scriptural canon and the historical fact that not all the manuscripts match up word for word, to say that the modern Bible is the error free words of God as dictated to men and women in the era of Kings and Prophets and then again in the time of Christ and the Apostles is hubris.
In the early church, the scriptures were read aloud in corporate worship. As a historical fact, by the early second century CE the books of the Bible (canon) were established more or less as they are found in the modern Bible. With the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, the official canon was proposed at Council of Laodicea (363 CE) and after debate and discussion, confirmed by the Council at Carthage (397 CE) [In part, confusion existed around the Book of Revelation, which came into use by the second century, but not widely used in all regions until the third century CE; the Epistle to the Hebrews, the only NT book with out a clear link to an Apostle; and finally several of the general epistles: 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, James, and Jude, were recognized as Apostolic writings, but these short letters were not typically read aloud in many churches and some minor disagreements were recorded regarding their suitability for public reading in worship]
Additionally, most of the New Testament and even the translations of the OT books available to the early church were written in koine Greek. Beyond the fact that we have hopelessly lost most idiomatic understanding of phrases and commons slang from the koine Greek era, every modern English translation or paraphrase has included the bias of the translator. This bias (intentional or not) serves to sway the subtle meaning of words often with drastic consequences in application or the misapplication of the Bible to various doctrines, traditions, and personal experiences.
Finally, the reliance on mere historical and intellectual discussion looks past or disregards the key discussion regarding inspiration of scripture. For me inspiration is a living concept. It must be experienced to be personally understood. On an intellectual level, I can recognize the value that sacred writings have held by many individuals and cultures over time. In the United States, traditional values, education and even our legal systems have been heavily influenced and at times limited by our understanding of sacred scripture. But the impact of scripture is unique on a personal level, when I apply it to my life using such practices as devotional reading, meditation, memorization, and worship. It is in these moments when I “feel” a touch or “brush” of divine revelation from God that I feel the inspiration of the Bible and understand it as God’s Word, in a way that I cannot seem to express to others. Well, at least not in a succinct manner.
It is my prayer that all of you find a personal insight into God as we explore applications of His word with Pastor Bo in the next several weeks.
Ivan
Very nicely written Ivan. I do hope that by delving into the Bible even further that I will become even more aware of God and some of the way he tried to teach us.
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