Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
No one dared to openly examine all the scriptures, like the Bereans of old, to "see if these things were true." Instead we ... smugly considered ourselves "God's faithful testimony in every city."
|
I have met a number of groups whose interpretations precluded examining all the scriptures. They had their select quotes, immediately brandished as proof-texts in any conversation or presentation, while other sections were ignored. So the verse which "proves" their point is emblazoned on the doorpost, a la Deut. 11:20, while other, less helpful verses are simply avoided.
Jesus confronted such "narrow" readings with a "bigger" Bible. "Have you never read in the scriptures?", he once asked (Matt 21:42). Or, "You err, not knowing the scriptures" (Matt 22:29).
It may seem like I am a know-it-all by my quoting scripture, but actually I only recently became aware of my vast ignorance. Much of the Bible, to me, is large "blank" areas. So I tried to stop thinking I had the answers, and lo and behold! the scriptures became interesting again! Now they were no longer convenient proof-texts to prop up whatever doctrines I held, but rather they were places to explore God's revelation. And believe me, I have a lot left to explore. "In my Father's mansion there are many rooms." I may only be about 6 inches inside the door. Who knows?
Like I recently quoted in Psalm 119: "The unfolding of your word gives forth light". How true that is; there's nothing like having God's word unfold in front of you. But in order for it to unfold, the word has to be examined. And to examine it, one must allow one's concepts to be challenged along the way, and grow and transform. As Heb. 11:8 says, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." To go into the Bible with such an attitude; what a blessing!
Bon voyage, as they say. Enjoy the journey.