I have become painfully aware of how much I question away what’s in the Bible. Wrestling with scripture is great, and part of the growth process, but questioning its “original intent” has left me paralyzed all too often.
In Bible Universities and Seminaries across the world, we are taught that in order to understand what the Bible means “correctly,” we need to look at the original intent of the author, his culture, his readers, the language it was written, and so forth. Most of the time I agree with the use of this process known as exegesis. However, recently I’ve become aware at how justifying, rationalizing, and contextualizing takes so much away from the faith we are called to have. So many scripture, when looked at in plain black & white seem so ridiculous, even irrational. What I have been challenging myself with is this: when I come across scripture that says to do something, then to just do it. I don’t want to go back and do the exegesis because all too often I find myself rationalizing it away saying, “it doesn’t work in this time and in this culture.”
Here are just a few examples:
- When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:18-25 (esp. vv 22)
- There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Acts 4:32-37 (esp. vv 34)
- Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another. Romans 13:8
- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:18-20
- If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also… Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Luke 6:27-31 (esp. vv. 29,30)
- Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Do everything without complaining or arguing Philippians 2:14
- Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
Now, I comprehend that some of these scriptures are direct commands to specific people and therefore may not be direct commands to me… but does that mean that we should not do them anyway? And I certainly don’t always endorse using this method for teaching people or a congregation, but for life transformation to happen in me, its something I need to do often.
Here’s something you know instinctively. You can memorize every bit of cereal box information about ingredients and nutritional value. But for that cereal to do you any good, you have to pour it out, top it with milk or cream, and eat it. Eugene Peterson says it’s the same with the Bible. “This is a book to be experienced, savored, dallied over. If we’re always studying something, then we’re going to miss it,” he says. Read here or here about Lectio Divina, a form of scripture reading that is far more conducive for life transformation and not as much about information.
My friend Sarah says this, “It seems to me that rationalizing and justifying our actions is what makes Christianity a sub-culture rather than a counter culture.”
people are my art 