Thoughts About the Bible
There was an item in the spirituality blog this week on the CNN website entitled, “That’s Not in the Bible.” The premise of the article was that there are many different axioms that are often quoted which many assume to be Biblical but aren’t.
For example, many are fond of saying “God helps those who help themselves.” I certainly understand the sentiment and will even admit it might be sound advice.
The expression sounds as if it might have come from the book of Proverbs but in actuality it isn’t found in Proverbs or anywhere else in the Bible. According to the CNN blog the quote is attributed to Ben Franklin of kite flying and hundred dollar bill fame.
My mother was fond of saying “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Good hygiene is important to be sure. Further our baptismal theology speaks of the washing away of sins and many hymns of the church contain lines about the washing away of sin but again “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” is not found in scripture.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, first uttered that phrase. I am ashamed to admit that I, until I read the CNN blog, did not know this quote had originated with Wesley. Maybe I did know it was a Wesley quote but over time I just forgot. Actually I’m pretty sure I thought the quote originated with my mother if it didn’t come from the Bible.
Many of our visions of the after-life are based on the notions of popular culture rather than what is said in the scripture. No where in scripture does it mention that upon death we will become angels in heaven and sit around all day on clouds playing harps. In fact, that sounds fairly dull to me.
On the other side of the after life equation there is no mention of the devil having horns, a forked tail and carrying a pitch fork. In fact, many of our ideas concerning the evil one come not from scripture but from other pieces of literature.
What I found ironic after reading the CNN piece was that all too often it seems that many are more familiar with what they think is in the Bible than what is actually in the Bible.
What is even more disturbing is that many folks carry an edited Bible. There are parts they like and other parts they find disturbing. They tend to remember those parts they like or that make them feel good about themselves while they ignore those parts that might cause them to adjust their attitudes or lifestyles.
Understanding the Bible is difficult. The Bible not only has to be read it also has to be taught. When we read the Bible we have to understand that the Bible needs to be read in context. Sadly over the years many have taken parts of the Bible out of context and used them to justify everything from slavery to the mistreatment of women.
When we read the Bible we have to understand that it needs to be read in the context of the times in which it was written. Now, let me be clear the message of the Bible is timeless and it is not held captive by history. However, there are times that knowing the historical circumstances behind a Biblical passage gives the passage even more meaning.
We also need to understand that Bible needs to be read in context with itself. There are numerous passages of scripture that take on more meaning when they are read alongside other related passages of scripture.
The Bible also needs to be read in the context of our own lives and own experiences. As we live our lives and have different experiences we come to understand the Bible and scripture in different ways in light of those experiences. This is a part of growing in the grace of God.
I will always remember a young girl who was a part of our church’s after-school program asking me a question about the Bible. She said, “I read my Bible but I don’t always understand it. How can I understand it?” I replied, “That is what the church is here to do—to help you understand the Bible.”
The church and the Bible have a symbiotic relationship. Christ established the church for many reasons, one of which was to teach the scriptures. Conversely, the church is taught about its mission and ministry through the words of scripture. In essence, the church and the Bible can be compared to Siamese twins with each being dependant upon the other.
What is clear is that God has left us a dynamic living word to guide us in his ways so that we might follow in his paths. Thank God for his word and for a church that stands ready to teach it.