The Road to Redemption: The Formation of the Book 4

Over the past several weeks we have been looking at scripture; focusing on its origins, contents and composition. While all of that is interesting and important, where the rubber meets the road is in how we interpret and use the scriptures. As most of us are aware scripture has been used to justify virtually every manner of evil from slavery, to the Crusades, to the Holocaust. In our current time it is used to "prove" that the universe is 10,000 years old, to force women into subservient roles in marriage and to attempt to discriminate against members of the GLBT community. The flip side is that scripture has been used to support the abolishment of slavery, the support of the weak and powerless, the end of segregation and apartheid, to just list a few of its positive uses. The question then becomes how do we use it in a fashion which does both it and God justice?

I will begin by offering my views on what we ought not to do. First we ought not to come to the scriptures simply looking for proof of our preconceived notions. For if we do so we will find a verse which we can use to justify our own prejudices, even when those prejudices are not actually present in the scriptures. Second we ought not to read all of scripture as if it is eye-witness reporting. As we discussed in a previous article, the scriptures have been shaped by culture, personal experience and a desire to offer particular theological insights. In addition scripture is composed of saga, story, history, poetry, Gospel and letters; each written to and for a particular purpose and audience. Finally we ought not to believe that ours or any person's interpretation is the final word on what scripture calls us to believe and to do. The Bible is a living book which is to be explored under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus interpretations can and often do change (The Reformation is one of the best examples of this).

Now for the positive; for those things we ought to do. First we ought to take the time to research the setting and history of any piece of scripture we are reading. This step is important because often the meaning that we, as 21^st Century readers might bring to the text is significantly different from the meaning in its original place and time. I do not want to imply that scripture cannot carry multiple meanings, only that we do an injustice to the text and the author when we fail to attempt to discern what they were attempting to say. Second we ought to gain an overview of the entire Biblical narrative. The reason for so doing is that one of the great Reformation understandings is that scripture interprets scripture. This means that we are not to cherry pick single texts which agree with our beliefs and ignore those which do not. As I have said before, scripture is not a systematic theology in which every part agrees with every other part. We will be looking at this further when we talk about our Five Part Story. Third we ought to read each portion of the Bible as what it is; saga, poetry, parable, etc. In this way we allow the scripture to shape our hearts as well as our minds. Finally I would offer that we ought to take scripture seriously. What I mean by this is that the scriptures have been collected and preserved over more than 3,000 years as a way of shaping the life and work of God's people; thus they deserve our serious attention. They are here because they have become the sacred text for our community of faith.

You may be wondering (or not) why I called this piece Formation of the Book 4 when it is about interpretation and not about the actual creation of the scriptures. My response is that the Book is supposed to form us. As the well-worn phrase says, "You may be the only Bible people read." Whereas the Bible once formed the core of both public and private education, this is no longer so. How you and I act; how we treat others; how we deal with people in business, school and the public arena will therefore shape their impressions of Christ and the church. It will in some ways form them. The more we are shaped and formed by the Book, the more the impressions we leave upon the world will truly reflect those of the God who loves us all.