Today's question is: Do you share Joseph’s perspective that a tragic event can be turned by God to a providential purpose?
The short answer is: yes.
The long answer is this: I don't think God creates hardship and heartache in our lives. I don't believe "everything happens for a reason." God doesn't cause a bad thing to happen so that a better thing can happen down the line. However, I do believe that God can transform our hardship and heartache into goodness and joy. Sometimes, the best God can bring about from a bad experience is our lesson learned. Sometimes, that's enough.
It's a fine line between believing in the transformational power of God and predestination. That fine line is a significant one, however.
PS If you are following along in the workbook, you may have noticed I skipped a question about Israel...I'm thinking on it....I'll get back to you.
Showing posts with label Reading the Bible Again. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading the Bible Again. Show all posts
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Promise and Fulfillment
We moved on to the Pentateuch -- the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). The Pentateuch, as Marcus Borg puts it, is first concerned with the creation of the world from the perspective of the Israelites. Secondly, it is concerned with the creation of Israel and God's part in that. With that in mind, here are our questions for today: How are the stories of your own family’s origin reflected in the stories of the Israel’s origin? How have the themes of promise and fulfillment shaped your life?
This question of family origin is interesting to me. I know some of my paternal family history and not much of my maternal family history. So, it's a hard question for me to answer. Personally, though, I am drawn to the Exodus journey and the Israelites search for the Promised Land. I've lived in a lot of places in the past 10 years. We hope to be here in Champaign-Urbana for a long time. But, when will it start to feel like home? When will we not feel like "strangers in a strange land"? And what part does our faith play in that journey? Those are all question I wrestle with often.
Promise and fulfillment, as I preached on this past Sunday, are the thrust of the Pentateuch. God makes promises that aren't fulfilled until years and years later. Moses doesn't get to see the Promised Land with his own two eyes. He dies before crossing over. I have to be honest with you -- that bites. Moses worked so hard and put up with loads of crap from the Israelites. Why shouldn't he get to experience the fulfilment of the Promise? Why not? Because, that's just how life works out sometimes. This example, as disturbing as it is, is really profound. i feel like Moses a lot. I plant seeds but rarely get to see the things come to fruition.
This story helps me keep it all in perspective. God is not a prize to be won or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. God is faithful throughout all our journeys. God is with us in the struggle and in our triumphs.
This question of family origin is interesting to me. I know some of my paternal family history and not much of my maternal family history. So, it's a hard question for me to answer. Personally, though, I am drawn to the Exodus journey and the Israelites search for the Promised Land. I've lived in a lot of places in the past 10 years. We hope to be here in Champaign-Urbana for a long time. But, when will it start to feel like home? When will we not feel like "strangers in a strange land"? And what part does our faith play in that journey? Those are all question I wrestle with often.
Promise and fulfillment, as I preached on this past Sunday, are the thrust of the Pentateuch. God makes promises that aren't fulfilled until years and years later. Moses doesn't get to see the Promised Land with his own two eyes. He dies before crossing over. I have to be honest with you -- that bites. Moses worked so hard and put up with loads of crap from the Israelites. Why shouldn't he get to experience the fulfilment of the Promise? Why not? Because, that's just how life works out sometimes. This example, as disturbing as it is, is really profound. i feel like Moses a lot. I plant seeds but rarely get to see the things come to fruition.
This story helps me keep it all in perspective. God is not a prize to be won or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. God is faithful throughout all our journeys. God is with us in the struggle and in our triumphs.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Just Breathe
Today's question is: Which of the two creation stories are you most drawn to? Why?
A few years ago, I started focusing on my breathing as a prayer practice. I began breathing more deeply and intentionally. While exhaling, I would pray prayers of confession. While inhaling, I would pray prayers of presence, inviting God to be close to me. If you keep breathing out the bad stuff and keep breathing in the God stuff, eventually, you'll be inhaling AND exhaling God out into the world. This became a very powerful prayer practice for me.
That's one reason why I connected so deeply with the second Creation story. In this story, God breathes into the human being fashioned from mud and gives them life. If we want to connect to the new life God offers, all we have to do is breathe.
A few years ago, I started focusing on my breathing as a prayer practice. I began breathing more deeply and intentionally. While exhaling, I would pray prayers of confession. While inhaling, I would pray prayers of presence, inviting God to be close to me. If you keep breathing out the bad stuff and keep breathing in the God stuff, eventually, you'll be inhaling AND exhaling God out into the world. This became a very powerful prayer practice for me.
That's one reason why I connected so deeply with the second Creation story. In this story, God breathes into the human being fashioned from mud and gives them life. If we want to connect to the new life God offers, all we have to do is breathe.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
What if...?
Today's question is: If the story of Adam and Eve is not “true” (factual), what happens to the truth of the Bible and Christianity as a whole? Two key questions: Why did Israel tell these stories? And why did they tell them this way?
Asking what happens to the rest of the Bible's validity if the Adam and Eve story isn't true presupposes that we believe the whole Bible to be factual. If this is our starting place, asking such a question is like pulling a brick out of the foundation of a building. The whole house will collapse because the foundation has been compromised. However, if we begin with a different understanding, then we avoid the whole house crumbling down around us.
Some portions of the Bible were meant to be matters of historical record, others were not. Others, like the Adam and Eve story were always intended to be mythic tales. Other portions of the Bible were meant to be poetry, others oracles, and others were letters written to specific communities.
The key questions, above, are important ones to ask. Why would the Israelites tell this story and why would they tell it in this way. Since we know that the story was told during exile, we might imagine that the Israelites needed to remind themselves that they were deeply, intimately connected to God.
Why do you think they told these stories in this way?
Asking what happens to the rest of the Bible's validity if the Adam and Eve story isn't true presupposes that we believe the whole Bible to be factual. If this is our starting place, asking such a question is like pulling a brick out of the foundation of a building. The whole house will collapse because the foundation has been compromised. However, if we begin with a different understanding, then we avoid the whole house crumbling down around us.
Some portions of the Bible were meant to be matters of historical record, others were not. Others, like the Adam and Eve story were always intended to be mythic tales. Other portions of the Bible were meant to be poetry, others oracles, and others were letters written to specific communities.
The key questions, above, are important ones to ask. Why would the Israelites tell this story and why would they tell it in this way. Since we know that the story was told during exile, we might imagine that the Israelites needed to remind themselves that they were deeply, intimately connected to God.
Why do you think they told these stories in this way?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Truth and Myth
Today's question is: How can something be true without being factually true? How is the truth of history different from the truth of myth?
Poems, song lyrics, fairy tales, children's stories, movie plots....all examples of things that can be incredibly, undoubtedly true without being factual. Take the book "To Kill a Mockingbird", for instance. Some of the characters hint at real people Harper Lee knew in her childhood, but the story is fictitious. And yet, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of the truest books I've ever read. Things can be true without being factual.
It's how the truth of myth differs from the truth of history. The truth of history relies on empirical, provable facts. The truth of myth relies on notions that extend beyond facts.
Poems, song lyrics, fairy tales, children's stories, movie plots....all examples of things that can be incredibly, undoubtedly true without being factual. Take the book "To Kill a Mockingbird", for instance. Some of the characters hint at real people Harper Lee knew in her childhood, but the story is fictitious. And yet, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of the truest books I've ever read. Things can be true without being factual.
It's how the truth of myth differs from the truth of history. The truth of history relies on empirical, provable facts. The truth of myth relies on notions that extend beyond facts.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
About the Dinosuar Bones
Today's question is: When did you first notice the tension between faith and science? How have you resolved that tension?
This kid named Chris was in my 7th grade science class. One day, he raised his hand and asked, "What if God put dinosaur skeletons in the ground to give us something to do?" Obviously, this kid took the Creation story literally. He was implying that during the Creation week, when God was forming the earth, God thought, "Hmm....I bet they'll get bored. Why don't I take some huge bones and bury them. These humans will dig them up and concoct stories about amazing beasts that used to roam the earth...yup, that'll be fun!"
I remember thinking about the implications of his question and getting a big headache. It sort of made my brain twist around in funny ways. By the time middle school rolled around, I'm fairly certain that I didn't take the Creation stories literally. I knew what I didn't believe. But, I wasn't sure what I did believe about those stories.
The tension got resolved through a lot of conversation, wrestling, paying attention and prayer.
This kid named Chris was in my 7th grade science class. One day, he raised his hand and asked, "What if God put dinosaur skeletons in the ground to give us something to do?" Obviously, this kid took the Creation story literally. He was implying that during the Creation week, when God was forming the earth, God thought, "Hmm....I bet they'll get bored. Why don't I take some huge bones and bury them. These humans will dig them up and concoct stories about amazing beasts that used to roam the earth...yup, that'll be fun!"
I remember thinking about the implications of his question and getting a big headache. It sort of made my brain twist around in funny ways. By the time middle school rolled around, I'm fairly certain that I didn't take the Creation stories literally. I knew what I didn't believe. But, I wasn't sure what I did believe about those stories.
The tension got resolved through a lot of conversation, wrestling, paying attention and prayer.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Powerful stories
Today's question is: When did you first learn the creation stories in Genesis? How are they meaningful for you today?
To tell the truth, I don't remember a time when I didn't know the creation stories. I'm certain that I knew the story of the 7 days of Creation along with the Adam and Eve story. But, I am also certain I thought they were part of the same story, not two separate tales.
I also remember how I felt when we learned about the stories in Seminary. The Creation stories were referred to as "myths". Even though I hadn't believed in the Creation stories literally for a long time, the word "myth" bothered me a little bit. When I realized that this term didn't take any of the power of the stories away, but rather named them for what they actually were, I got over it.
Today, I find these stories to be very powerful. Being outdoors and connecting with nature is a powerful part of my spiritual practice. So, I resonate deeply with the notion that human beings were formed from the soil and crafted by a master artisan. I also find the idea of rest being part of the fabric of Creation to be in credibly profound.
To tell the truth, I don't remember a time when I didn't know the creation stories. I'm certain that I knew the story of the 7 days of Creation along with the Adam and Eve story. But, I am also certain I thought they were part of the same story, not two separate tales.
I also remember how I felt when we learned about the stories in Seminary. The Creation stories were referred to as "myths". Even though I hadn't believed in the Creation stories literally for a long time, the word "myth" bothered me a little bit. When I realized that this term didn't take any of the power of the stories away, but rather named them for what they actually were, I got over it.
Today, I find these stories to be very powerful. Being outdoors and connecting with nature is a powerful part of my spiritual practice. So, I resonate deeply with the notion that human beings were formed from the soil and crafted by a master artisan. I also find the idea of rest being part of the fabric of Creation to be in credibly profound.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Challenges in Reading the Bible again for the First Time
Today's question is: What in this first section of the book has challenged you the most? What questions or concerns has it raised for you?
I disagree with Borg about the Bible being an entirely human product. That's what Borg says and I don't agree. I do think it's possible for parts of the Bible to be inspired. However, I am not clear on which parts are and which parts aren't. I am ok with this ambiguity and know that others are not. That part of the book was a big challenge to me.
What about you. What has challenged you so far in Borg's book?
I disagree with Borg about the Bible being an entirely human product. That's what Borg says and I don't agree. I do think it's possible for parts of the Bible to be inspired. However, I am not clear on which parts are and which parts aren't. I am ok with this ambiguity and know that others are not. That part of the book was a big challenge to me.
What about you. What has challenged you so far in Borg's book?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Which Christmas Story do you Want me to Tell?
Today's question is: Read the birth narratives of Jesus in the four gospels. What do you think each author wants us to know about Jesus by telling the story the way he does? How are the messages similar/different?
Wow. This is such a good exercise for us! The birth narratives are so different from one another. Each one emphasizes something different and reveals something about each community that produced that particular gospel.
Here's the quick and dirty on each of the birth narratives and what they might mean:
Matthew starts with a genealogy that traces Jesus, through King David, back to Abraham. It concludes with the visit from the Wise Men and the flight to Egypt. So, my bet is that Matthew's community wanted to emphasize the kingliness of Jesus.
Mark's gospel doesn't have a birth narrative. (Did you know that?) Instead, this gospel begins with John the Baptizer and the baptism of Jesus, two sentences about 40days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted, the launch of his ministry and calling the first disciples. Mark gets down to business. So, my hunch is that the Markian community wanted to emphasize Jesus' ministry and the urgency that surrounds it in the storytelling.
Luke's gospel gives the back story on the births of Jesus and John. This is the most magical of the birth narratives because it's the one with all the angels. Form Gabriel to the throngs of angels singing to the shepherds in the hills, this story is chalked full of them. That's why I think the Lukeian community wanted to emphasize the holiness of Jesus. At the same time, the emphasis on Mary uplifts his humanity and royalty - it's through Mary that Jesus' roots can be traced back to King David.
The gospel according to John also lacks a birth narrative. Instead, we find that beautiful poetry about the Word being with God. Without a doubt, the folks who wrote this gospel must have wanted to emphasize the divinity of Jesus the Savior.
Wow. This is such a good exercise for us! The birth narratives are so different from one another. Each one emphasizes something different and reveals something about each community that produced that particular gospel.
Here's the quick and dirty on each of the birth narratives and what they might mean:
Matthew starts with a genealogy that traces Jesus, through King David, back to Abraham. It concludes with the visit from the Wise Men and the flight to Egypt. So, my bet is that Matthew's community wanted to emphasize the kingliness of Jesus.
Mark's gospel doesn't have a birth narrative. (Did you know that?) Instead, this gospel begins with John the Baptizer and the baptism of Jesus, two sentences about 40days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted, the launch of his ministry and calling the first disciples. Mark gets down to business. So, my hunch is that the Markian community wanted to emphasize Jesus' ministry and the urgency that surrounds it in the storytelling.
Luke's gospel gives the back story on the births of Jesus and John. This is the most magical of the birth narratives because it's the one with all the angels. Form Gabriel to the throngs of angels singing to the shepherds in the hills, this story is chalked full of them. That's why I think the Lukeian community wanted to emphasize the holiness of Jesus. At the same time, the emphasis on Mary uplifts his humanity and royalty - it's through Mary that Jesus' roots can be traced back to King David.
The gospel according to John also lacks a birth narrative. Instead, we find that beautiful poetry about the Word being with God. Without a doubt, the folks who wrote this gospel must have wanted to emphasize the divinity of Jesus the Savior.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Not a Ouija Board....
How might Borg’s historical-metaphorical approach help you interpret a passage of scripture? How is it different than the way you have interpreted scripture in the past?
First, let's clarify what Borg means by historical-metaphorical approach to reading scripture. When taking a historical approach, we should ask the question, "What did this text mean in the ancient historical setting in which it was written?" When taking a metaphorical approach, we should ask the question, "What does this story mean as a story, independent of its historical factuality?"
When we are taking a historical-metaphorical approach to scripture, we ask both questions. This is very different than how I used to read the Bible. I used to read the Bible wondering, "What is God saying to me, today, through these words, about this particular situation in which I find myself...?"
And, yes, the Spirit may add understanding to our reading of scripture, but, we should not confuse cracking open our Bible with cracking open a fortune cookie. See, the problem with my old approach is that I was treating the Bible like one of those fortune telling machines you find in arcades. Furthermore, the Bible is not a Ouija Board - we can't ask a question, randomly open the book and expect to find an answer. (Actually, we shouldn't expect to be able to do that with a Ouija Board either...but that's another story for another blog entry.
The Bible is a relevant tool we can and should employ to navigate faithful lives. But, we must do so knowing what this tool will and won't do. Using the historical-metaphorical approach to reading scripture and avoiding reading the Bible like a our daily horoscope will help. Using this approach helps us utilize the Bible appropriately.
First, let's clarify what Borg means by historical-metaphorical approach to reading scripture. When taking a historical approach, we should ask the question, "What did this text mean in the ancient historical setting in which it was written?" When taking a metaphorical approach, we should ask the question, "What does this story mean as a story, independent of its historical factuality?"
When we are taking a historical-metaphorical approach to scripture, we ask both questions. This is very different than how I used to read the Bible. I used to read the Bible wondering, "What is God saying to me, today, through these words, about this particular situation in which I find myself...?"
And, yes, the Spirit may add understanding to our reading of scripture, but, we should not confuse cracking open our Bible with cracking open a fortune cookie. See, the problem with my old approach is that I was treating the Bible like one of those fortune telling machines you find in arcades. Furthermore, the Bible is not a Ouija Board - we can't ask a question, randomly open the book and expect to find an answer. (Actually, we shouldn't expect to be able to do that with a Ouija Board either...but that's another story for another blog entry.
The Bible is a relevant tool we can and should employ to navigate faithful lives. But, we must do so knowing what this tool will and won't do. Using the historical-metaphorical approach to reading scripture and avoiding reading the Bible like a our daily horoscope will help. Using this approach helps us utilize the Bible appropriately.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Unlocking History
Today's question is: The Historical approach focuses on the question, “What did this text mean in the ancient historical setting in which it was written?” The Metaphorical approach focuses on the question: What does this story mean as a story, independent of its historical factuality.” Which of these two approaches are you most/least comfortable with? Why?
I am very comfortable with the historical approach to scripture. However, I have a Masters of Divinity degree and minored in theology in undergrad. Learning about the importance of the historical approach to scripture and how to find such information was a regular part of my theological education. When we look through the lens of history, we find a depth and richness in the text that an otherwise cursory read would overlook.
The problem is this, if I were I lay person, I don't think I would be comfortable in this arena at all.
So - how can lay people get more comfortable unlocking the historical context of a text? It's all about the tools. For starters, everyone needs to have a good Bible. If you are still using the Bible that your church gave you in 1972, it's time to get a new one. And for goodness sake, if you are trying to read the King James version of the Bible, unless you like reading Shakespeare in your spare time, run, don't walk, to your local book seller and get a New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. When looking for an NRSV, I would suggest getting a study Bible with hearty footnotes. For the casual reader, all the historical background you will ever need will be in those footnotes. For the more curious reader, you can buy a good commentary, or check some online source like www.textweek.com.
When you begin to read the Bible with its historical context in mind, how does that change your reading and interpretation of it?
I am very comfortable with the historical approach to scripture. However, I have a Masters of Divinity degree and minored in theology in undergrad. Learning about the importance of the historical approach to scripture and how to find such information was a regular part of my theological education. When we look through the lens of history, we find a depth and richness in the text that an otherwise cursory read would overlook.
The problem is this, if I were I lay person, I don't think I would be comfortable in this arena at all.
So - how can lay people get more comfortable unlocking the historical context of a text? It's all about the tools. For starters, everyone needs to have a good Bible. If you are still using the Bible that your church gave you in 1972, it's time to get a new one. And for goodness sake, if you are trying to read the King James version of the Bible, unless you like reading Shakespeare in your spare time, run, don't walk, to your local book seller and get a New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. When looking for an NRSV, I would suggest getting a study Bible with hearty footnotes. For the casual reader, all the historical background you will ever need will be in those footnotes. For the more curious reader, you can buy a good commentary, or check some online source like www.textweek.com.
When you begin to read the Bible with its historical context in mind, how does that change your reading and interpretation of it?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Taking the Red Pill
Today's question is this: Borg concludes with three metaphors for seeing the bible (Finger Pointing the Moon, Lens, Sacrament). What metaphor would you use to describe the Bible? Complete the sentence: To me, the Bible is like...
To me, reading the Bible is like taking the red pill in "The Matrix". Now, if you haven't seen this movie, stick with me...and if you have, hear me out - the metaphor works, I promise.
In the movie "The Matrix", taking the red pill frees a person from the Matrix, a computer-generated world within which people, unknowingly, live their entire lives. If you take a red pill, you'll be awakened from the Matrix to the truth of reality. If you take the blue pill, you'll still be connected to the Matrix and remain blissfully ignorant in the midst of the grand illusion.
Reading the Bible, for me, is like taking the red pill: it enables us to see the world form God's point of view -- from the viewpoint of God's greater justice and mercy. We get to see the world from Jesus' point of view -- from the viewpoint of one who insisted upon loving our neighbors and our enemies. Most importantly, instead of seeing the world from the viewpoint of consumerism, which has become the overriding qualifier of what it means to be American in 21st century life, we see the world from the viewpoint of God's preferential love for the poor. If God cares for the poor, then we, as lovers of God, must figure out how we will care for the poor of the world. When we figure out that this is one of the biggest responsibilities of the faithful, the whole world changes.
So, which pill will you be swallowing?
To me, reading the Bible is like taking the red pill in "The Matrix". Now, if you haven't seen this movie, stick with me...and if you have, hear me out - the metaphor works, I promise.
In the movie "The Matrix", taking the red pill frees a person from the Matrix, a computer-generated world within which people, unknowingly, live their entire lives. If you take a red pill, you'll be awakened from the Matrix to the truth of reality. If you take the blue pill, you'll still be connected to the Matrix and remain blissfully ignorant in the midst of the grand illusion.
Reading the Bible, for me, is like taking the red pill: it enables us to see the world form God's point of view -- from the viewpoint of God's greater justice and mercy. We get to see the world from Jesus' point of view -- from the viewpoint of one who insisted upon loving our neighbors and our enemies. Most importantly, instead of seeing the world from the viewpoint of consumerism, which has become the overriding qualifier of what it means to be American in 21st century life, we see the world from the viewpoint of God's preferential love for the poor. If God cares for the poor, then we, as lovers of God, must figure out how we will care for the poor of the world. When we figure out that this is one of the biggest responsibilities of the faithful, the whole world changes.
So, which pill will you be swallowing?
With a Capital "W"
Today's question is: What does it mean for you to call the Bible “the Word of God?” What doesn’t it mean for you?
Flipping through an art history book long ago, I came across a painting of Saint so-and-so writing the Bible. In this depiction, an ethereal hand reaches down out of the heavens. It grasps the saint's hand and the quill pen therein. The painting was commissioned as a teaching tool - to let the common folk know that this book contained The Word of God as written by God himself.
This is not what I think of when I think of the Bible being The Word of God with a capital "W".
When I think of the Bible being the Word of God, I think of the millions of faithful people who, for millenia, have looked to the words of the Bible to reveal something about the "character and will of God" as Marcus Borg puts it. In those stories, letters and poems, there are profound glimpses of who God is, how God works, what we can expect from God, and what God expects of us.
Flipping through an art history book long ago, I came across a painting of Saint so-and-so writing the Bible. In this depiction, an ethereal hand reaches down out of the heavens. It grasps the saint's hand and the quill pen therein. The painting was commissioned as a teaching tool - to let the common folk know that this book contained The Word of God as written by God himself.
This is not what I think of when I think of the Bible being The Word of God with a capital "W".
When I think of the Bible being the Word of God, I think of the millions of faithful people who, for millenia, have looked to the words of the Bible to reveal something about the "character and will of God" as Marcus Borg puts it. In those stories, letters and poems, there are profound glimpses of who God is, how God works, what we can expect from God, and what God expects of us.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sacred Contextual Texts
Today's question is: Does scripture ever function as a sacrament in your life? What helps you listen for the Spirit of God speaking through the words of the biblical text?
Have you ever been driving along, listening to the radio and, all of a sudden, the perfect song comes on? The song seems to fit the exact moment of life you are living in, as if some divine intervention was at work when the DJ picked the next tune. It's like those words were written just for you. When that happens with scripture, that's when the text becomes sacramental for me.
In order to listen for the Spirit of God speaking through the words of the biblical text, I have to start new every time. I have to stop thinking that I know what this particular passage is about, forget that I've read it before, and start over. I have to have an open mind and open heart. But, I also have to bring my life to the text and be willing to let the text speak to me and my situation in life. In other words, I have to provide my own context in which to hear the text. Again, when I do that, there is a sense that the text really is speaking to me.
Have you ever been driving along, listening to the radio and, all of a sudden, the perfect song comes on? The song seems to fit the exact moment of life you are living in, as if some divine intervention was at work when the DJ picked the next tune. It's like those words were written just for you. When that happens with scripture, that's when the text becomes sacramental for me.
In order to listen for the Spirit of God speaking through the words of the biblical text, I have to start new every time. I have to stop thinking that I know what this particular passage is about, forget that I've read it before, and start over. I have to have an open mind and open heart. But, I also have to bring my life to the text and be willing to let the text speak to me and my situation in life. In other words, I have to provide my own context in which to hear the text. Again, when I do that, there is a sense that the text really is speaking to me.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Holy in the Everyday
Today's question is: Where do you experience the presence of God in your life? Are there sacred spaces, objects, rituals, relationships, activities that are ‘mediators of the sacred’ - vehicles by which God becomes present to you?
What is sacred to me? Since writing is one of those sacred activities, I thought I would offer this poem about what is sacred to me....
Birthing, breathing, creating. Cooking, conversing,
love-making. Soul-tending, gardening,
greeting the day.
Smiling,
engaging,
embracing. Justice-making.
God-bearing.
Believing.
What is sacred to me? Since writing is one of those sacred activities, I thought I would offer this poem about what is sacred to me....
Birthing, breathing, creating. Cooking, conversing,
love-making. Soul-tending, gardening,
greeting the day.
Smiling,
engaging,
embracing. Justice-making.
God-bearing.
Believing.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
What's Holy?
Today's question is: What does it mean for you to call the Bible “holy?”
Just about every Bible I've ever seen has the word "Holy" inserted in front of the word Bible on the front cover. Is it holy because God made it so? Because it says so on the cover? Or is the Bible holy because we make it holy?
I opt for #3.
Take anything that is considered holy - it is only considered so because we make it so. When we pour out the waters of baptism (which is just tap water by the way) we ask God to bless the water and to help us receive God's inward and invisible grace through this outward and visible sign.
It's the same with scripture. When we come to the text, we should be asking the Spirit to move through us and for God to open us the Word for us. When we experience God's grace in the text, I think that's the moment when it becomes holy.
Just about every Bible I've ever seen has the word "Holy" inserted in front of the word Bible on the front cover. Is it holy because God made it so? Because it says so on the cover? Or is the Bible holy because we make it holy?
I opt for #3.
Take anything that is considered holy - it is only considered so because we make it so. When we pour out the waters of baptism (which is just tap water by the way) we ask God to bless the water and to help us receive God's inward and invisible grace through this outward and visible sign.
It's the same with scripture. When we come to the text, we should be asking the Spirit to move through us and for God to open us the Word for us. When we experience God's grace in the text, I think that's the moment when it becomes holy.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Something Sacred
Today's question is: Does the process of how the Bible was developed and the history of how it became viewed as authoritative by the church affect your views on the sacred status of scripture?
The short answer to this question is: nope, not at all.
The long answer is this: half the battle is accepting the fact that the Bible did not drop from the sky one day, whole, intact and perfect. Once we understand how the canonization process worked, we've taken a big step. But, there's still another hurdle. The canonization was a messy, imperfect process. It's hard to be at peace with that.
As one of my Seminary professors often said about scripture, "We are passive recipients of someone else's choices." I try to keep that very ambiguous fact in balance with the fact that this book has been trusted for millennia. When tragedies occur, when we are at a loss to explain what happens in life, when people have been at a loss for words, time and again, people have gone to the Bible to find words of comfort, assurance and insight.
What's important when reading scripture is that we remain open to the movement of the Spirit. We must ask how God is still speaking to us today in the text. Does God have a Word for us today? That's the question that transforms just another book into something sacred.
The short answer to this question is: nope, not at all.
The long answer is this: half the battle is accepting the fact that the Bible did not drop from the sky one day, whole, intact and perfect. Once we understand how the canonization process worked, we've taken a big step. But, there's still another hurdle. The canonization was a messy, imperfect process. It's hard to be at peace with that.
As one of my Seminary professors often said about scripture, "We are passive recipients of someone else's choices." I try to keep that very ambiguous fact in balance with the fact that this book has been trusted for millennia. When tragedies occur, when we are at a loss to explain what happens in life, when people have been at a loss for words, time and again, people have gone to the Bible to find words of comfort, assurance and insight.
What's important when reading scripture is that we remain open to the movement of the Spirit. We must ask how God is still speaking to us today in the text. Does God have a Word for us today? That's the question that transforms just another book into something sacred.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Response to? Inspired by? Both?
Today's question is: How does Borg’s description of the bible as “a human response to God” fit your own understanding of the relationship between God and the Bible?
Borg takes the approach that the Bible is purely a human product. If the Bible is a human product, it makes the difficult sections easier to stomach. If we find out the historical context of the text, it may unlock some of the mystery as to why someone would attribute certain things to God.
But, I must admit that I don't entirely agree with Borg's assertion that the Bible is purely a human product. I understand his point. If we think that some of the Bible is inspired and some is not, then we're stuck in a vast gray area of wondering what is and what is not inspired.
I'm ok with that gray area. I am ok wit the ambiguity of some of the Bible being human response to God and some of it being inspired. As a writer and preacher, I have certainly experienced this phenomenon. I have preached sermons that were clearly the work of the Holy Spirit, when it felt as if the words were not mine, but truly God's. I have also phoned it in. I would assume the same is true for the texts we deem sacred.
Borg takes the approach that the Bible is purely a human product. If the Bible is a human product, it makes the difficult sections easier to stomach. If we find out the historical context of the text, it may unlock some of the mystery as to why someone would attribute certain things to God.
But, I must admit that I don't entirely agree with Borg's assertion that the Bible is purely a human product. I understand his point. If we think that some of the Bible is inspired and some is not, then we're stuck in a vast gray area of wondering what is and what is not inspired.
I'm ok with that gray area. I am ok wit the ambiguity of some of the Bible being human response to God and some of it being inspired. As a writer and preacher, I have certainly experienced this phenomenon. I have preached sermons that were clearly the work of the Holy Spirit, when it felt as if the words were not mine, but truly God's. I have also phoned it in. I would assume the same is true for the texts we deem sacred.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Beloved texts
Today's question is: Are there particular passages of scripture that you cherish? If so, what makes them significant for you?
If have several passages that I cherish. Ruth's promise to Naomi, "Where you go, I will go. Where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God," was the passage David and I chose to have read at our wedding. That makes it foundational in my life.
There's also Jesus promise in Matthew which read, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light, " is also key. I had to memorize it for a worship service I was doing. So, I had it there, rummaging around in my brain. The first time I ever felt really burnt out, I remembered it. It became life savingly true for me.
Then, there's the section of Paul's' letter to the Romans wherein he states, "For I am convinced that neither death, not lie, nor angels, not rulers, not things present, not things to come, nor powers, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." That passage made me trust in God at a time in my life that was characterized by overwhelming fear.
I could go on and on. I am discovering new things every day!
If have several passages that I cherish. Ruth's promise to Naomi, "Where you go, I will go. Where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God," was the passage David and I chose to have read at our wedding. That makes it foundational in my life.
There's also Jesus promise in Matthew which read, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light, " is also key. I had to memorize it for a worship service I was doing. So, I had it there, rummaging around in my brain. The first time I ever felt really burnt out, I remembered it. It became life savingly true for me.
Then, there's the section of Paul's' letter to the Romans wherein he states, "For I am convinced that neither death, not lie, nor angels, not rulers, not things present, not things to come, nor powers, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." That passage made me trust in God at a time in my life that was characterized by overwhelming fear.
I could go on and on. I am discovering new things every day!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Seriously? Seriously.
Today's question is: What are some of the barriers that keep you from taking the Bible more seriously than you do?
Oof. That's a rough one.
I get hung up with the texts of terror in the Bible -- the ones where God does something violent, or instructs someone to do something horrific in God's name.
What do you do with that?
How do you preach that?
Seriously?
For someone who believes in a loving, caring, compassionate god, i have a hard time taking these references to a vengeful, violent God seriously.
My gut reaction is to ignore those passages. But ignoring them does no one any good. To take those passages seriously, I need to dive into them. I need to unlock them.
One way to do that might be to ask this question: why might the people have thought God would want them to act violently? Recently in an email devotional from our United Church of Christ, Ron Buford remarked, "...the ancient Israelites living among people who honored their gods in these ways may have begun thinking that their God deserved similar devotion, zealously attributing such words to God."
Ron's response helped me so much, and I hope it helps you too.
Oof. That's a rough one.
I get hung up with the texts of terror in the Bible -- the ones where God does something violent, or instructs someone to do something horrific in God's name.
What do you do with that?
How do you preach that?
Seriously?
For someone who believes in a loving, caring, compassionate god, i have a hard time taking these references to a vengeful, violent God seriously.
My gut reaction is to ignore those passages. But ignoring them does no one any good. To take those passages seriously, I need to dive into them. I need to unlock them.
One way to do that might be to ask this question: why might the people have thought God would want them to act violently? Recently in an email devotional from our United Church of Christ, Ron Buford remarked, "...the ancient Israelites living among people who honored their gods in these ways may have begun thinking that their God deserved similar devotion, zealously attributing such words to God."
Ron's response helped me so much, and I hope it helps you too.
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