Another topic we discussed this past Sunday: How do we read scripture?
Yeah, you might notice that you missed a lot if you were not in class this past Sunday. I will try to recap real quick for you to bring you up to speed and then back to the blog. Cindi called her mom old. Tom revealed to us that he does in fact have a doctoral degree in Old Testament Scripture with a focus on exegetical writings. Last but not least, I drank a Mountain Dew (it was good).
Back to the blog topic: How do we read Scripture?
A couple discussion points from Sunday or ideas we began to dive in to.
-Does Sripture have different meanings for different people?
-How does the whole "time and context" argument play into how we read Scripture?
-Do we read the Bible and take it literally or is much of it metaphors and figurative
language?
-We can read the same piece of Scripture and find a different meaning each time we read it?
- Obviously, Scripture is cut up and used in pieces to make arguments or sermons or points
in a discussion quite often. Is this right? Can you take a pieces of scripture out to use to
prove beliefs?
-Can Scripture be taken apart for beliefs sake or must we accept the totality of the
Scriptures?
Once again, WOW! How cool is it to be a follower of Jesus and to be involved in discussions like this? I love the fact that Christ is alive and not only that but my faith, my beliefs, my Scriptures are alive and can meet me where I am at even though He died on a cross over 2000 years ago and parts of the Bible are even older than that. How cool? How can you not have unexplainable JOY knowing that you can have relationship with this kind of God? Praise the Lord for who he is!
A side note: if you are in class this Sunday and we find any definite answers to these questions, Dr. John C. Bowling from Olivet Nazarene University will be there to provide Honorary Doctoral Degrees of Letters to those who are responsible for such knowledge.
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Seems that I missed quite a bit. Were there any answers proposed/debated/denied? Or was it just the hour of unanswerable questions?
ReplyDeleteI think one of the more important things that I have learned about reading the Bible (especially the OT) is to remember that it is made up of lots of different genres. Even though all of it is the inspired word of God, each genre has its own rules and style, and to ignore that can lead us to made some wild misjudgments. For instance, the book of Job reads more like a morality play than the historical books like Kings and Chronicles.
ReplyDeleteMore unanswered questions ..it was kind of at the end, and didn't discuss in detail.
ReplyDeleteThis link is kind of an interesting perspective. You probaby have to cut and paste it into your browser.
http://www.drurywriting.com/keith/3Whistle%20blowing.htm
I think I'm just going to read the Bible and take from it what I feel God is showing me. It might be the scholarly thing to do to answer all those questions but I'd like to KISS if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteKara,
ReplyDeleteWith the right spirtual background (which you have), that's probably good
just a thought, don't you think there is more understanding to have or find when we know the context and background information? I think we as individuals need to wrestle with these kind of questions and find answers for 2 reasons. test and prove your faith and also so we are prepared to give an answer to an unsaved friend. you wouldn't buy a car without doing research first. . .should we base our lives off a book and belief system without continuing to do research and wrestling with these types of questions. I am a huge fan of having a child like faith (this is all me) however I still think this is important. well, that is where I am this morning anyways.
ReplyDeleteFirst I'd like to start my first ever blog entry/comment by saying that I'm so happy to be able to have fellowship with the class again and my desire for being in the class "live" grows more and more after reading past blogs and comments. I can totally imagine the voices of the writers and it puts a smile on my face and yes. It warms me from the inside out. Let's face it, everyone desires to be a part of something special and there is no denying that "Fusion" is something special. Keep reaching out! I have a definately love for you. OK.. scripture. I've been reading the message for the first time, it's all the preacher uses here in VA, and I'm enjoying the change up and recommend it to add a little spark to you devo life. I think that we can interpret scripture differently, by I think ultimately it should "mean" the same for everyone, if that makes since. I think I tend to forget to take time and context into play when I read, which I think is a mistake, but if I do that, sometimes God teaches me or speaks to me even if I do it "wrong", b/c he knows me and that's just how he chooses to speak to me that day.
ReplyDeleteI think we should use scripture the way Jesus used it and no other way. He showed us how, we just need to follow the example. Well, here's my question, should anyone wish to discuss it: I precieve the Bible to indicate that there were only certain people that had access and that were chosen to read and teach God's word, the B-I-B-L-E, in Biblical times. Rob Bell does a great lesson on the history behind the students of scripture and who got to be and who didn't get to be a preacher. Is it possible that the Word could have a danger in ending up in the wrong hands? Can it be used for evil rather than good? Do you think He intended for it to be accesible to everyone? I mean, I realize that his teachings are meant for the world to hear, but should just any jo schmoe be able to read God's word?
I think one key to scripture is only in "recent" years was scripture ever read by a single individual. It appears the scripture was intended to be read and discussed in community. That's the great think about the church universal. Although we may read scripture alone, we need the church (and a very smart SS teacher) to help us sort things out and make sure none of us goes crazy.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I LOVE about the Bible is it's applicability. God uses His inspired word to speak to me at the point of my need. I can read a scripture one time and totally not see something that the next time I read it - a point jumps out at me. Or - I hear a SS lesson or sermon on a sripture and have a UH-HU moment.
ReplyDeleteI do not think this means I misinterepreted the scripture the first time I read it - I was not ready to "hear" or understand it at that moment. Only something written by God could speak to so many many different people and different times in each life to help Himself be known. Amazing!..THIS IS DEBBIE..not indyman
Courtney - so good to hear from you. e miss you guys!
I with Court really miss you guys. And love the fact that we still have this blog to be part of the class if you will. I lov the whole idea on this topic and REALLY wish that I could have been in the class to hear the discussion, and the wise knowledge that good ol Mr. Drake had.
ReplyDeleteI think the scriptures can go both ways. I think that they were originally written with a certain message and that message seems obvious to some. However I personally am one that when I read the bible I want God to show me what He wants me to hear or learn. So I do think that sometimes certain passages will mean something totally different to someone else as it does to me. I actually got into a argument with a Olivet Professor (o shock i know) about this. And his response to me was.."well when you learn how to read the bible like I am going to teach you, then you will see..." HMMM I thought God was the one who was going to show me what HE wants. not saying that others peoples input is bad, but sometimes I think we OVER-READ if you will. A good example of how He showed me something that I have read and read and when I really needed it was a long time ago. I was going through some crap that I just couldnt accept or get over. Talked to who i needed to talk to and read what i thought i needed and nothing was helping. Finally I just couldnt pray. God showed me a scripture in Romans 8 that i have read and read and then BAM...it was for me. Would it mean the same to others...maybe or maybe not. That is just one of the AMAZING things about God. He can still speak to us...in ways we need. Wow that was a lot....sorry for the ramble