Feeding on Scripture

Reading scripture may seem obvious and rudimentary. Some might think, if an individual is literate, what else is required? Well not everyone is literate. Besides, there seem to be plenty of Bibles available. By the year 2007, over 7.5 billion had been distributed throughout the world. There are approximately seven billion people living. Allowing for the loss of a .5 billion Bibles, that’s at least one Bible for every person on the planet! Just pick up one and go for it. Only about eighteen percent of the world’s population is illiterate. But wait, half of the world’s languages do not yet have a Bible translation at all. If you speak one of those languages, that may be a problem. There does seem to be a clear imbalance in access.

In addition, Americans own more than half of the world’s Bibles. In fact, those Americans, who have Bibles, have an average of three or four per person, including atheists, there is a large portion of the world that does not have even a small section of a Bible. Perhaps to my own shame, to slake my own “need” and desire, I have over sixty Bibles. I have English, Spanish, Greek, Hebrew, various translations, and many study versions. Does anyone really need that many Bibles? Well, before I feel compelled to defend myself, let’s leave that discussion for another time.

I am not defending the rather recent (c. 19th century) doctrine of inerrancy. Any argument of "originals" is suspect, but that is another article. However, as is the case, that the whole person is affected by stirring one part, reaching through to persons by the imagination and emotions generated by fiction, story, allegory, and parable, affects the whole person. That is, story, allegory, and parable are some of the means to break through the conscious resistance that often blocks hearing. Such devices are inherent to scripture, inerrancy set aside.

Biblical mission is more of a poem and less of its common use as treatise, more art than science, using feelings and sensibilities to reach the mind to share sympathy, love, and life—it is about God’s beauty (Bushnell, 1976:344). Among the various genres, scripture uses such devices as story, allegory, and parable, in seeking to break through the intransigent ways of thinking that enslave individuals and communities to processing thought as comfortably expected. While scripture must be understood in ethical, logical, and historical ways, it must also be understood in its “aesthetic” (Milbank, 1998:123). It is beauty expressed in story, allegory, and parable.

The Bible can be said to be, in some parts, less of an ethical, logical, and historical focus and more of a teleological pointer even escort. Story, allegory, and parable are common devices found in scripture by which God speaks of deeper and higher truths than are readily seen by simple propositions and historical accounts. This is dressed in the beauty and pleasure of story pointing and reaching for the teleological goals of the creator of the universe particularly the spiritual maturation of humans beginning now. Story, allegory, and parable are used to tell truth and break through staid, stagnant, formalistic-views and beliefs whether they are present in biblical myth or history.

So then, what do we do with all of these Bibles? Well, forty-five percent of Americans adults (mainly Evangelicals) claim to read the Bible at least once a week. And yet only one third of Americans believe the Bible is the word of God. Okay, put aside the statistics. What do all these massive numbers mean to the subject of reading scripture? Well my point is not statistical, that is for sure. In fact you may be able to find better statistics than the ones I have cited. My point is that there is a glut of Bibles available to an extremely large portion of the world, and I am asking how much is being gained with such rich resources?

Any supposed gain is clearly questionable measured by world conditions. Where is the spiritual transformation that should accompany “right” reading and "consumption" of scripture? And of those who read the Bible, even fewer, I suspect by the lack of evidence (my own anecdotal conversations and observations) are actually fed by the words and enjoy their sweetness.

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. . . . How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 119: 103).

We must not read Scripture in the same way we might read the comic strips, our newspapers, or even the best literature. Yes, the Bible is literature, and it can be read as such; however, what we are discussing here is something much deeper and more profound. We are considering the intended purposes of God’s speaking through scripture for his human creatures. Knowledge, history, poetry, ethics, and even wisdom can all be found in scripture. However, God’s desire is for encounter, communion, and intimacy with us. And by this relationship, he hopes to see us reflect his image. And so, although we may query the Bible for knowledge, history, and such, we primarily must look to encounter God through its pages. This encounter brings about transformation: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The techniques of hermeneutics (scriptural interpretation) and exegesis (to analyze and explain) will not be discussed here. That is, I am not here after teaching about the ingredients of the meal, about fat and fiber, or how many calories are included. I am exceedingly more interested, here, that we “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8; 1 Peter 2:3).

There are various methods to accomplish this. One well-known technique is lectio divina (divine reading). This and other such techniques are often accompanied by controversy, warning, and fear. Nevertheless, biblical reading does include meditation (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 19:14; 104:34; 119:15), memory (Joshua 1:13; Psalm 119:11; Matthew 21:16, 42; John 15:20), response (Exodus 19:8; 24:3; Matthew 7:24; Romans 2:13; James 1:22, 25; 2:14), obedience (Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 17:19), and praise (Psalm 56:4, 10; 106:12). Whatever the hesitation, we do not have to bring along the baggage of Eastern mysteries from some of the practices used for scripture reading.

I am not suggesting that we disengage our minds from reading scripture in an esoteric, Gnostic abandonment to whatever decides to enter our souls. I am simply suggesting that we open to the eternal God, creator of the universe and maker of heaven and earth. Listening to God speak through Scripture is not alien. Rather to miss this, renders the reader dull and unresponsive to God. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40). We will be nourished as we feed on the living word of God. For this, deep intention, meditation, and prayer over the words of the Bible are critical. We are mining the very depths of life (John 1:1-4; 6:68).

We are reading scripture for life, and that life is found in God (John 1:4; 5:39-40; 11:25; 14:6; 1 John 5:20). “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). So then, however we read scripture, whatever disciplines or technique we use, if we are not gaining life, then we are approaching scripture only partially at best. To use lectio divina, meditation, memorization, imagery, prayer, or any other technique is not as important as touching the author of scripture, the one spoken of in scripture, the one being offered. This is the assurance of safety in our disciplined life.

Emptying or opening to anything or anyone else other than the God of the Bible is safeguarded when we read his scripture and hold him in our hearts and minds as we read or do anything else for that matter. If we do not dishonour God in our approach, he will be pleased to receive us into fellowship and communion. In fact, like a loving father who is happy to see his child bring him a painting that is nothing more than a mess of paint on butcher paper, God is delighted with our messy approaches of love toward him. No matter how mature we may become, we will always be as children in the presence of our Father.

I hope I didn’t disappoint you by not pontificating erudite techniques and profound seminary “secrets” of reading Scripture. If I can encourage some few to enjoy God in scripture, to be fed and nourished by his word through scripture, and to be further conformed to his image by that enjoyment (Romans 8:29; 12:2; 1 Peter 1:14), then I am extremely pleased. And so is our Father. We’ll later talk about the techniques of reading.

Anonymous

On a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a u-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. . . .

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. . . . That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because My Dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds my friend are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. . . .

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril[.] And we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins—and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go!

God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. . . .
Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too—Enough to not let them go.

Always Tell Your Family And Friends How Much You Love Them!!!

From Tentmaker Ministries (http://www.tentmaker.org/)

Love

The command to love, as most consider it, "If you love me (God) you will keep my commandments," is not to do anything because it will prove one's love. It is rather a matter of the doing spontaneously springing from love. We give our lives for our children, partners, strangers, or neighbours because of its spontaneous rising from love not as a effort of proof. The spontaneous act proves our love. Love drives action. Action does not drive love.

What Is Jesus Doing?

It has become popular if not simple cant, to ask, “What would Jesus do?” There are necklaces, wristbands, car stickers, decals, shirts and hats, and all-manner of merchandise carrying this question. Or should we call it a slogan. A banal slogan, as it is usually applied so loosely without thought or even serious application.

From the first sightings of this marketing blitz, I was wary that although it may have begun as an altruistic attempt to move believers in the direction of a Christ-centered life, a life that might witness to a fallen world. Or was it, or had it become, one more ploy to sell “Christian” merchandise. Whatever your judgment on this little saying and its use, your heart will testify to your attitude regarding it as you try to deal with its challenge. “What would Jesus do,” may lead you into a best a guessing game based upon your understanding of Scripture and at worst a set of rules and an attempt to follow numerous commandments bordering on Leviticus. Remember, “For the letter kills, but the Spirit
gives life” (3 Cor. 3:6).

It immediately occurred to me, “Why would we ask, ‘What would Jesus do?’” In fact he is doing. The question we must ask is, “What is Jesus doing?” When Jesus walked the earth he gave us the model: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise” (John 5:19). So then we must do what we see the Son doing, which is precisely what the Father is doing. The Godhead is one and not thinking, “What would my Father do?” The Son does what the Father is doing and the disciples of Jesus do what they see the Son is doing.

Jesus is living today. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2:33). He is interceding for us and apparently he even sometimes stands to receive his martyred children (Acts 7:55-56). In fact, by his Spirit, he is living within his redeemed (Romans 8:11; 2 Cor. 1:22; 3:17; Galatians 4:6; Philippians 1:19; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13). And he will come again to receive his own unto himself and pour out judgment on a sinful world.

If any of his words recorded in the Scriptures are meaningful; if they are filled with the power they suggest, if his commands and promises are real, then he is living and “doing” now as you read these words.

He is living and the God of the living not the dead (Psalm 42:2; Matt. 16:16; 22:32). Our faith is vital, intimate, and relational with an imminent God. To ask, “What would Jesus do?” is to confess a great measure of separation between God and us. It is to confess our distance from his living heart and will. We always know what the object of our love is doing, if we are in the presence of that object. Young betrothed couples know the smell of each other, the rhythm of one another’s breath, and the moods of each. Is it any different with the couples of Jesus and his believers, if in fact we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Psalms 34:8)?

So then, let’s abide in Jesus and spontaneously do what he is doing. The world doesn’t need to see poor attempts at mimicking Jesus. “Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’” (John 12: 20-21). The world needs to see Jesus (Luke 19:3; John 9:35-38). If you are a disciple of Christ, saved by his life, death, and resurrection, with his Spirit dwelling within you. He is active within you. Offer yourselves in sacrifice to him that he might be doing in and through you. This is our “reasonable service” or “spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Can it be seen through you, through me, what Jesus is doing?

Christian Spirituality: Some beginning points of what Christian spirituality looks like

· Intimacy with God · Walking by the Spirit of God · A transformed mind · Not conformed to this world · Living with wild-abandon to God · Following the leader—Jesus · Not fulfilling the lust of the flesh · Dying to self · Seizing the divine moment · Loving God · Living God's adventure · Loving our neighbors · Hating sin · Hanging out with and loving sinners · Caring for the world and Earth · Meditating on God's word · Spending, even "wasting" time with God · Obeying God's word · Disciplined · Not domesticated · Wild as John the Baptist or Peter · As peaceful as Mary · Leaning on God's breast like John · Praying without ceasing · Not caring what people think of us, if it is to serve God's glory · Caring what people think of us, as it affects God's glory · Not Democratic · Not Republican · Perhaps a Demo-publican · A peacemaker · Not a warmonger · Standing against unrighteousness · Standing with the disenfranchised · Loving God with your whole being, all that you have, all you can be or will have ——— Darryl Wooldridge, August 2005

Tired, Poor, Refuse, And Homeless

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!—Emma Lazarus, @ the foot of the Statue of Liberty. 

How might we interpret these words in light of the challenges of immigration, gender difference, today's poor, refuse, and homeless? It seems to me that many are fond of hailing to this country's beginnings and yet forget what it claimed to represent despite its often failed example.

God's Time

I have been considering for a long time that time may not be sequential in God’s economy. Apparently I am not alone: “But the imposition of linear time on what is an eternal idea is what creates the contradiction. I don’t try to make a theologian out of Einstein, but he did show us that events that happen in sequence can also be events that happen simultaneously. If Einstein can imagine that in terms of physics, theologians can imagine it also in terms of the intrusion of eternity into linear time—that we are both immediately raised and raised together.” —Thomas G. Long (Candler School of Theology). It also indicates that it is never "too late" to pray.