It was the last 4 minutes of class, Dr Bell spouted this out as if a passing, nonchalant suggestion. "The bible is an invitation into a conversation." The paradox is that the inference he made happens to be, in my mind, one of the more pressing issues in our modern day's christianity.
A large portion of modern christians believe the bible to simply be a book we read, study, obey…and in turn, if we don't obey, we could very well find ourselves worthy of critical judgement and in some cases, a form of excommunication. Others subscribe to an alternative ideal: The bible is actually more than a book of guidelines or laws to simply memorize and abide by. It's a loosely written book who's main character spoke in stories, all for the sake of creating space for YOU to become an active participant in its unwritten plot, as well as, tangibly and intimately involved with it's inspirer. It's the same book who's main character left it's plot by essentially saying "it is better for me to leave, so that my Spirit can become your friend and help you dialogue through and do life well."
In my opinion, your subscription to one or the other is one of the more important pending questions in life. Tragically, we have come to lift a book, and it's "instructions," above an "ability to relate" to it's inspirer...when...He's an inspirer, who never intended it to be read as primarily a life manual, but inspired the book as an invitation into a life-long dialogue and friendship.
Thoughts? Do you share in my inference of the importance to investigate your subscription? Care or not? Let me know...
2 comments:
The more I turn to the Bible to find instruction, the more I find minute by minute, day by day love letters. While you were in Kosovo, God showed me how His Word was the living word with constant, relevant communication between me and Him. I say I realized this while you were in Kosovo because I clung to every written word you sent by email. I read it over and over and realized that it was, at that time, the best way of hearing your heart. God did that for us by leaving His Word but better yet, leaving His spirit in us to feel and understand Him and feel close. I find in every character study of the Old Testament, as Pastor Wayne puts it, a mentor. Someone I find a little of myself in, or a lot of myself, but something I find that God put there for me, to say I'm teaching you, I love you, I'm talking to you.
Love your insight Tyler. I never thought of it that way. It is truly an invitation into friendship.
happy to hear someone likes my thoughts. even if it is...my mom.
ha.
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