The Divine Rule of Christian Faith and Practice
I hold scripture in high regard. I believe in the inspiration of scripture by God. I do not hold as some of my brethren in Christ that God actually dictated word for word into the hearts of the prophets, Paul and others. I believe He took the opportunity to give an "aha!" moment of inspiration to people as they thought and meditated about the things of God.
Our doctrine states "We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by the inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the divne rule of Christian faith and practice." Can I get an "amen" from the congregation? I believe this to be true. I think where I might differ with some of my sisters and brothers is in the meaning of the word "rule." After all, we have the 10 commandments not the 10 suggestions.
I wonder about that word "rule" often. In our part of the body it seems we have a rule or regulation for just about everything. I know some of you are thinking,"He is never going to grow out of his adolescent rebellion." You may be right, but hear me out.
I think if we see scripture as regulation we may be missing the point. I think we need to see scripture as a narrative. As I have read some of the writings of Brian McLaren and others I see where we may have taken scripture as a "rule" in the regulation sense. This may not be what God intends for His church at this time. Our doctrine correctly states that scripture is "God-breathed" or inspired. We often stop at that point in reading the doctrine and 2Timothy 3:16. Everytime God breathes what happens? Life!!!!
The verse goes on to talk about how scripture works for our lives "teaching, rebuking (Got to love a good rebuke every now and then, especially in some Christian traditions)training etc. But why, so we can be equipped to do good works. (vs.17)
So do we see scripture as a rule book or a road map (or ruled line) to show us our place in God's story? I tend to see the latter.
For too long, we have proof-texted our way through our journey as Christians. We can even, as one gentlemen had the temerity to tell me once, prove that by calling for the death penalty in the Old Testament that God is demanding it today, which means God is pro-life. (Folks, you can't make this stuff up.) You see what I mean?
We have taken to the rule and not the guide rail or ruled line to show us where to go. And if as Paul says it is to equip us for good works, doesn't that have something to tell us about the way we are to treat our neighbors, enemies, believers, earth and even those who may hold a different view of things in life. Isn't it more about how we are to love than condemn. Sure Paul talks about rebuke and correction but taken in their context and in their language of the day it has more to do with the loving warning to rescue from danger than a smack in the head. Who was it to train and keep out of danger? I think he was writing to Christians at that time.
After all if we were to read the Bible as a rule book in its entirety we would still seal deals with our shoes, be able to kill someone who accidently caused the death of our family member, tell women to "shut up" in church and stone adulterers. Is that what Jesus taught?
Am I saying that the scripture should be twisted to say what we want? No. We have seen cults do that. What I am saying is that as the "rule" for our practice as Christians, it is a living, breathing document that we cannot even begin to comprehend as deeply as God wants us to.
Just maybe as we get more mature in faith and as a culture, we will begin to see our place in this grand narrative of God's divine plan as it is unfolding. In so doing, we will follow the "rule" (the guideline), which will help us to treat all His creation with respect, dignity and grace.
So here are the questions I am struggling with these days. Does the truth of scripture change as we go down the line or is it the application? Is our application or reading of scripture too narrow? Should we see scripture less as a instruction manual or more as a road map? Where do we fit as a church in the grand narrative of the Kingdom in light of scripture?
What do you think?
Our doctrine states "We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by the inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the divne rule of Christian faith and practice." Can I get an "amen" from the congregation? I believe this to be true. I think where I might differ with some of my sisters and brothers is in the meaning of the word "rule." After all, we have the 10 commandments not the 10 suggestions.
I wonder about that word "rule" often. In our part of the body it seems we have a rule or regulation for just about everything. I know some of you are thinking,"He is never going to grow out of his adolescent rebellion." You may be right, but hear me out.
I think if we see scripture as regulation we may be missing the point. I think we need to see scripture as a narrative. As I have read some of the writings of Brian McLaren and others I see where we may have taken scripture as a "rule" in the regulation sense. This may not be what God intends for His church at this time. Our doctrine correctly states that scripture is "God-breathed" or inspired. We often stop at that point in reading the doctrine and 2Timothy 3:16. Everytime God breathes what happens? Life!!!!
The verse goes on to talk about how scripture works for our lives "teaching, rebuking (Got to love a good rebuke every now and then, especially in some Christian traditions)training etc. But why, so we can be equipped to do good works. (vs.17)
So do we see scripture as a rule book or a road map (or ruled line) to show us our place in God's story? I tend to see the latter.
For too long, we have proof-texted our way through our journey as Christians. We can even, as one gentlemen had the temerity to tell me once, prove that by calling for the death penalty in the Old Testament that God is demanding it today, which means God is pro-life. (Folks, you can't make this stuff up.) You see what I mean?
We have taken to the rule and not the guide rail or ruled line to show us where to go. And if as Paul says it is to equip us for good works, doesn't that have something to tell us about the way we are to treat our neighbors, enemies, believers, earth and even those who may hold a different view of things in life. Isn't it more about how we are to love than condemn. Sure Paul talks about rebuke and correction but taken in their context and in their language of the day it has more to do with the loving warning to rescue from danger than a smack in the head. Who was it to train and keep out of danger? I think he was writing to Christians at that time.
After all if we were to read the Bible as a rule book in its entirety we would still seal deals with our shoes, be able to kill someone who accidently caused the death of our family member, tell women to "shut up" in church and stone adulterers. Is that what Jesus taught?
Am I saying that the scripture should be twisted to say what we want? No. We have seen cults do that. What I am saying is that as the "rule" for our practice as Christians, it is a living, breathing document that we cannot even begin to comprehend as deeply as God wants us to.
Just maybe as we get more mature in faith and as a culture, we will begin to see our place in this grand narrative of God's divine plan as it is unfolding. In so doing, we will follow the "rule" (the guideline), which will help us to treat all His creation with respect, dignity and grace.
So here are the questions I am struggling with these days. Does the truth of scripture change as we go down the line or is it the application? Is our application or reading of scripture too narrow? Should we see scripture less as a instruction manual or more as a road map? Where do we fit as a church in the grand narrative of the Kingdom in light of scripture?
What do you think?
posted by Larry at 4:34 PM
9 Comments:
well, at least on that pro-life bit you mentioned, I tend to agree with the one gentleman. I think what he said was:
The reason the death penalty is pro-life is that it puts the highest possible value on the life of the person murdered by exacting the life of the person who violated that value by murdering. It’s a strong way to say, “It is not OK for one human being to take the life of another. If you murder, you forfeit your own life because the person you killed is so valuable.”
i know this is not a post about the death penalty, so I won't digress further on it...
I read a small book once by Watchman Nee called, "What are We?". In it, he explains the reason for the existence of his particular Church. But his comments have far-reaching application beyond that. Sorry for the long quote, but I think this touches on what you're saying:
Second Peter 1:12 mentions the words “established in the present truth.” The “present truth” can also be rendered the “up-to-date truth.” What is the up-to-date truth? Actually, all the truths are in the Bible; there is not one truth that is not in the Bible. Although they are all in the Bible, through man’s foolishness, unfaithfulness, negligence, and disobedience many of the truths were lost and hidden from man. The truths were there, but man did not see them or touch them. Not until the fullness of time did God release certain truths during particular periods of time and cause them to be revealed once more.
These freshly revealed truths are not God’s new inventions. Rather, they are man’s new discoveries. There is no need for invention, but there is the need for discovery. In past generations God revealed different truths. During certain periods of time, He caused men to discover these specific truths. We can see this clearly from the history of the church.
Take, for example, the raising up of Martin Luther in the sixteenth century. God opened his eyes to see the matter of justification by faith. He was a vessel raised up by God to unveil the truth of justification by faith. This does not mean that before Luther there was no such thing as justification by faith. The fact already existed before Luther’s time. Luther was merely the one who realized this truth in a stronger way; he was particularly outstanding in this truth. For this reason, this truth became the “present truth” in that age.
Every worker of the Lord should inquire before God as to what the present truth is. We need to ask: “God, what is the present truth?” Although there are many major and crucial truths in the Bible, what we need to know is God’s present truth. Not only do we need to know the general truths, we must also be clear about God’s present truth.
What I gather from his words is that we should be aware of how God is speaking to the Church in the present age, and actively seeking His revelation in our hearts. The hearts of men are darkened by the ruler of this present age so that they cannot see the truth. In Christ, Paul says, the veil is taken away. The further we go in God, the more our hearts catch the truth of Who He is and who we are in return.
The truth never changes. I saw a t-shirt recently that said, "God never changes. Church evolves." I like that.
Phil,
I won't go down the death penalty line other than to say...we will agree to disagree on the message of the church for today.
I read the Watchmen Nee book as well. God's message continues to be vital to us.
If you have not read it, get your hands on Brian McLaren's "Generous Orthodoxy." It gives us all some food for thought.
Thanks
Pretty dangerous questions you’re asking there. I’ve been asking them lately myself.
First of all, whether you agree with the death penalty or not, that guy’s take on “why the death penalty is actually pro-life” may be the worst justification I’ve ever heard for anything ever. Just say “because they deserve it” and be done with it. Don’t insult our intelligence or your own. But I digress.
I think it was Francis Schaeffer who said that “Each generation is responsible to translate the gospel into its own language.” I think we would all agree that the truth of scripture does not change, but we’ve been arguing about the application of it for quite some time now.
I personally think that our overview of scripture is too narrow. Take the gospel, for instance. For most Christians, the gospel is about Jesus dying then rising again. I personally believe that his life was an equal part of the gospel because it was his plan, not only to give us eternal life, but to make life here on earth better as well. Or take the prophets. Most Christians would say that the prophets are about God’s judgment for worshipping other gods (or practicing homosexuality for the real fundamentalists), but a read through will show you that it’s just as much about the Jews not treating others (including the poor, outcast, and alien) justly.
Not sure I stuck to the subject there. ???
By the way, I had to look up the word “temerity”.
Too many questions! I can't handle them all. Here are a few thoughts.
Regarding Larry's death penalty guy - "What!?!" Enough on that.
Could a possible answer be "both an instruction manual and a road map"? We may abuse the whole rule thing from time to time in our denomination, but there's no getting around the fact that there are some rules in the Bible. "I tell you the truth - no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." We've all heard a few rules, and that's what they sound like.
It seems to me that there is only one road and some rules that must be followed to find it & get on it. I've been told the road is narrow - therefore we will need some help staying on it. To echo Tim's thought, I heard a prayer once which I repeat often - "Thank you, God, that Jesus did not just come to die, but to show us how to live."
Regarding whether or not Scripture "changes" as we go down the line, I heard Tony Campolo say something once that may apply here. He said that God exists in the "eternal now" - that time, being man's invention, has no bearing on God. Therefore, what seems like new revelation or a present truth is not new to God - it's been present the whole time. Sort of like what I just said has been in Phil's post the whole time!
Have a great weekend, Cappy. Be good to my boy Street. He's a small town kid with a heart of gold, looking to take a huge step.
brettster,
thanks for your comments. i am wondering if you believe like me that theology and biblical interpretation is fluid. in other words, our understanding of some of the rules are shaped by our understanding of time.
just wondering.
i assume you mean "and understanding of the times we are in," and if so, that seems like a fair statement that i would agree with. i wouldn't go so far as to say that what the Word meant 1000 years is ago is now irrelevant, because it means something new. rather, we are sharpening our understanding of it as we "stand on the shoulders of giants" - those who have gone before us and uncovered truths that we can understand in a new, relevant way.
does that make sense? is that what you mean?
i am not saying truth is new. i am saying the application of truth may be new. some of "the giants we stand on", especially in some of our traditions, may have led us down extra-biblical paths. their truth could be construed as neat modern packaging that looked good then, but really does not stay the test of time and has helped to develop not chrisitianity, but christendom.
i like the distinguishment between Christianity and Christendom - very helpful
I wrote about this subject at the training school. We really need to make certain that we are not reading into the scriptures what is not there. First, we need to understand what context or why the words were written. There was really no political agenda (as we like to spin the scriptures today). The focus was on a heavenly "agenda". Getting people to understand the fundamentals of serving and loving God. Through prophets, through Christ, and through the apostles' letters and writings we can find the fundamentals of our faith. Once we know the purpose and context to which the words are speaking then we can apply it to our own context. Many times as Christians we are quick to apply the shallow meaning without looking deeper into what eternal principle is being revealed.
We cannot assume that we can understand the foreign culture and era in which the word was recorded, but we can allow the Holy Spirit to help us apply the original intent to our current circumstances and dilemmas.
As far as the church's work in the kingdom. I believe that we are experiencing a glimpse of His eternal kingdom today. We as a church (corporate and individual) should be exposing the world to the original freedoms and renewal available through Christ. I do believe that we have a small taste of what the big picture is all about. I wrote a paper on this very subject in doctrine at the training school.
How do we do this? By being the hands, feet, and voice of God to His children. Practical, effective ministry to the hurting, lost, and broken.
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