Let's be honest, Scripture is often not nearly as clear and precise as we would like. I think we make a big mistake when insist that everything the Bible teaches is 100% clear. While it is exceptionally clear on the heart of the matter, namely the Gospel, it can be a little tricky outside of that core message.
Just think of how many different Christian traditions and groups exist today. There major and minor theological differences between all of them, and all of them point to the Bible as their source for their belief. It would take a great deal of hubris to simply declare "I am right! You all are wrong!" Yet, this is often exactly what we do even though they are simply trying to follow what they believe Scripture to be saying just like us.
Now don't mistake me for saying that theological differences don't matter; they do. However, I think a dose of humility and a large helping of grace is mandatory when entering into that discussion. Besides, there is a reality that we often simply don't want to admit; the Bible itself contains a lot of tension.
What do I mean by that? Well, take an issue that many churches have been discussing; the role of women in the assembly. On the one hand there are two direct commands in the New Testament that forbid women from speaking in the assembly. On the other hand there is a running theme throughout Scripture that women are of equal value to men before God, that both are made in the Image of God. There are dozens of prominent female leaders in Scripture and what seem to be examples of women doing the very thing Paul seems to prohibit.
This tension has led to many different responses to the issue. Some have decided that the two prohibitions must be treated as specific directives for specific circumstances and must bow to the weight of the overarching themes of Scripture, thus allowing women to lead in the assembly. Others have decided that equality of being and value does not have to mean the exact same roles, and thus decide to see the prohibitions as in place for all time.
Whichever side you pick (and this is NOT intended to start a discussion on this issue) in order to be honest you have to recognize the tension. It is not a simple black and white issue. There are many issues like this in Scripture. Just war versus pacifism, grace and works, the last things, the right way to worship, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, unity and diversity in the church, and many others could be discussed.
Does this mean that Scripture is unreliable? By no means! What it means is that maybe we should approach Scripture on its terms instead of ours. A lot of the problems come from our expectations of what the Bible is. We expect it to be a book of all the answers, a clear guide of how to live life well and be saved. We expect a clear list of rules and regulations for how to do life together. We expect an almost systematic laying out of doctrine and other theological matters for easy referencing.
The Bible doesn't do that. What it does do is far better.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work." - 2 Tim 3:16-17
This is what the Bible says the Bible does. It comes from God and is useful for teaching us, for correcting our errors, and for training and equipping us. Scripture is a major tool in the Spirit's arsenal for shaping us into the image of Christ. It teaches us about who God is and what God has done for us. It is the measure used to correct us when we stray from the path. Scripture gives us the tools to live for God in the world, equipping us to serve others and deal with whatever issues may arise in a Christ-like manner.
When we look at the Bible in this way, the way it talks about itself, I think the tensions we find make a lot more sense and aren't as scary. The tensions become invitations to explore and learn the mysteries of God and to grow evermore in the knowledge of Jesus. Instead of equations that must be solved they become opportunities to sharpen our wisdom and deepen our understanding.
Does this mean that we will agree on every little issue? No, and I don't think that is a bad thing.
Just think of how many different Christian traditions and groups exist today. There major and minor theological differences between all of them, and all of them point to the Bible as their source for their belief. It would take a great deal of hubris to simply declare "I am right! You all are wrong!" Yet, this is often exactly what we do even though they are simply trying to follow what they believe Scripture to be saying just like us.
Now don't mistake me for saying that theological differences don't matter; they do. However, I think a dose of humility and a large helping of grace is mandatory when entering into that discussion. Besides, there is a reality that we often simply don't want to admit; the Bible itself contains a lot of tension.
What do I mean by that? Well, take an issue that many churches have been discussing; the role of women in the assembly. On the one hand there are two direct commands in the New Testament that forbid women from speaking in the assembly. On the other hand there is a running theme throughout Scripture that women are of equal value to men before God, that both are made in the Image of God. There are dozens of prominent female leaders in Scripture and what seem to be examples of women doing the very thing Paul seems to prohibit.
This tension has led to many different responses to the issue. Some have decided that the two prohibitions must be treated as specific directives for specific circumstances and must bow to the weight of the overarching themes of Scripture, thus allowing women to lead in the assembly. Others have decided that equality of being and value does not have to mean the exact same roles, and thus decide to see the prohibitions as in place for all time.
Whichever side you pick (and this is NOT intended to start a discussion on this issue) in order to be honest you have to recognize the tension. It is not a simple black and white issue. There are many issues like this in Scripture. Just war versus pacifism, grace and works, the last things, the right way to worship, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, unity and diversity in the church, and many others could be discussed.
Does this mean that Scripture is unreliable? By no means! What it means is that maybe we should approach Scripture on its terms instead of ours. A lot of the problems come from our expectations of what the Bible is. We expect it to be a book of all the answers, a clear guide of how to live life well and be saved. We expect a clear list of rules and regulations for how to do life together. We expect an almost systematic laying out of doctrine and other theological matters for easy referencing.
The Bible doesn't do that. What it does do is far better.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work." - 2 Tim 3:16-17
This is what the Bible says the Bible does. It comes from God and is useful for teaching us, for correcting our errors, and for training and equipping us. Scripture is a major tool in the Spirit's arsenal for shaping us into the image of Christ. It teaches us about who God is and what God has done for us. It is the measure used to correct us when we stray from the path. Scripture gives us the tools to live for God in the world, equipping us to serve others and deal with whatever issues may arise in a Christ-like manner.
When we look at the Bible in this way, the way it talks about itself, I think the tensions we find make a lot more sense and aren't as scary. The tensions become invitations to explore and learn the mysteries of God and to grow evermore in the knowledge of Jesus. Instead of equations that must be solved they become opportunities to sharpen our wisdom and deepen our understanding.
Does this mean that we will agree on every little issue? No, and I don't think that is a bad thing.
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