christianity

Bible interpretation is not something Bob the bloodhound always agree with me (Tim) on. He sometimes doesn’t like what I say on the subject of interpreting Holy Scripture. In fact, there are times I get under his skin (which isn’t very hard to do – Bob has lots of skin).

The matter of bible interpretation is an important discussion. No matter which Christian tradition we come from, there is disagreement as to how to deal with certain Bible verses. Even most parishioners within the same local church do not agree on how to treat particular passages of Scripture.

The Real Issue of Bible Interpretation

Just so you know, I was trained in a seminary that largely looked through the lens or the starting point of biblical authority, as if we had the right view on it all. Biblical authority, however, is not really the issue, in my opinion. Before you pick up stones, hear me out. The issue, as I see it, is this:  

No matter who we are, we pick and choose what Bible passages are authoritative, and which are not. 

Although Christians say the Bible is authoritative, we all have what I would deem as “boss verses.”  That is, verses which control other verses. For example, I take Matthew 28:18-20 as “boss verses” that control other verses. The words of Jesus from those verses help me interpret and view other Bible verses. Because of this, I am not willing to concede that the mission of the church is primarily about something other than making disciples.

An Example

Okay, you might be with me so far. So, let’s pick a hot potato: LGBTQ+ folks and the Church. When it comes to same-sex relationships, it seems to me that there are those who take seven verses out of the over thirty-one thousand verses in Scripture and make them boss verses.

Even if we camp on verses where the word “abomination” shows up, it only ends up talking of same-sex relations once. Things like worry, procrastination, and gossip are addressed much more in Scripture and are also much more prevalent everywhere. But we do not make “boss verses” out of these, so we pretty much let them slide.

I’m not seeing Christians, Churches, or denominations talking about biblical authority and sins of the tongue in the same breath; or, looking to bring discipline to gossipers; or, getting upset about chronic whisperings behind others’ backs. Instead, we mostly just live with it. We wish it were different, but it doesn’t make our blood boil. If gossip began to take away our power or authority, then I am sure it would make it to the floor of denominational meetings and annual congregational meeting scream-festivals.

Who or What Is in Control?

All Christians hold to biblical authority. To me, this is not the issue. The real issue is which Bible passages call the shots for us. 

Until we are able to confess this bible interpretation practice of particular verses controlling other verses, it seems to me we will get nowhere.

So, in the meantime, I would rather be looked at as a friend of gays. Because that controls my thought and practice more than injunctions from the book of Leviticus.

I take loving my neighbor as a boss verse, so this determines how I speak and act more than whether I speak in tongues or not. I will choose to go out of my way to emphasize that all people are made in the image of God, because I take the Bible’s reference to God’s creation of humans as a boss verse. This does not mean I ignore other verses; it just means I have identified which verses of Holy Scripture I believe control other verses.

Let’s Be Honest about Our Bible Interpretation

I am really not trying to stir the pot (Bob differs with me on this!). I am simply making a plea for us to be honest about how we handle the Bible.

And if we have never read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation (and more than once) then it seems to me we are thin ice to make pronouncements about what are to be the boss verses or what is the clear teaching of Scripture.

If you need to go pet your own dog after reading this, I understand. I hope he or she is lot more furry than Bob. Please just do me the respect to think about these things without jumping to conclusions or condemnation.  After all, I believe that grace and love are the boss of everything in the Bible, and control how we ought to do our bible interpretation.

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I (Tim) need Jesus. Bob the bloodhound does, too. The Bible’s New Testament is convinced of it. Bob just looked at me with a tilt of his head, letting me know it’s time to talk about how much everyone needs Christ the Savior and Lord of all.

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

Yes, we have many troubles in this old fallen world. And, yes, there a lot of things we need right now: healing from disease and damaged emotions; economic stability; solutions to the awful human issues conditions that beset us, and more. We need relief, guidance, and wisdom.

So therefore, Bob and I declare with conviction: Out of all the great needs which surround us, the greatest need is for Jesus.

I don’t just need his teaching. I don’t only need to imitate his model of loving service. I don’t need to merely be a fan of his. I need Jesus himself!

The Lord spoke to his disciples in the Upper Room on the night before his crucifixion. He told them he was leaving (dying) and that it must be this way.

The disciples were understandably troubled. Thomas was worried about what was going to happen and how he and the others were going to deal with an uncertain future. (John 14:1-14)

I will tell you how millions of people have dealt with their past difficulties, their present troubles and their worries about the future: The Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Way

Christ is the way to deal with our current concerns and anticipated anxieties… he himself. The way is not merely through:

  • A program of self-improvement
  • A fake-it-till-you-make-it approach
  • An ability to articulate well-crafted words or through being able to answer with certainty every question of faith
  • Finding just the right plan or system

The way of rescue, the road to a life of harmonious peace and settled rest, even when the world is going to hell around us, is Jesus. He is our connection with God. To trust Christ is to give up the personal delusion of control and to walk with him on his terms.

Jesus is the way for the church everywhere – fellowship, encouragement, acts of loving service, teaching, and strengthening of faith all center around Christ because he is love incarnate.

The way of the Lord for the world is in serving neighbors and nations, advocating for those who are mistreated and victims of injustice, and tackling the dozens of world problems which oppress humanity.

Jesus is the Truth

Christ does more than speak truth; he is truth incarnate. Truth is more than abstract ideas and personal perspectives. What is true about God has its ultimate expression and demonstration in the person of Christ.

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, CEB)

To see the face of Jesus is to see the reality of Truth. God’s character and attributes expressed through creating, loving, sustaining, healing, and providing has its highest expression in Christ.

Jesus is our truth. When troubles abound, Christ is the ballast of truth we can rely upon, the rock of our salvation, and the anchor of our soul.

Truth within the church resides in the person and work of Christ. All teaching, mentoring, and instruction points and centers in him. Guidance and direction – whether in family, work, school, or neighborhood – all flows from Christ. To merely dispense homespun advice falls short if there is no Jesus.

Christ is truth for the world. Proclaiming him is more than a verbal activity; it is embodying truth. (Luke 4:16-19) Followers of the Lord embody truth by looking for ways to be Jesus to the lost, the least, and the lonely in acts of basic human compassion and advocating for their justice. (Luke 19:10)

Jesus is the Life

“Life” and “death” in the Bible are relational terms, not just physical references. When Adam and Eve fell into disobedience, they spiritually died without being physically dead. They originally enjoyed the connection of life with God; then, after the Fall, experienced a separation from God by being cast out of the Garden.

Jesus is our life. He is the person in whom Christians have their identity. Instead of connecting myself to a narrowly expected outcome, I tether myself to Christ because he is my connection, my life.

The church’s very life is in it’s head: Christ. Christians experience life as their prayers and their praise are directed toward him as both the subject and the object of worship. (John 4:23-24)

The Lord is the life of the world. The good news of Christ’s redemption – incarnation, earthly ministry of teaching and healing, death, resurrection, ascension and glorification – is good news for everyone. There is forgiveness of sins deliverance from guilt and shame, and a life connection in and through Christ.

Concluding with Christ

Our problems, concerns, and troubles on this earth are not sufficiently addressed by simply acknowledging Christ’s teaching. I need him! For he has the power to give life.

“Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, CEB)

“I need Jesus!” is the affirmation and declaration that Bob and I proclaim. He is the way to live my life instead of trusting in my own power and ability. He is the truth I choose to bank my life upon. Christ is the life graciously given for which I can say with boldness that I belong to God.

Christ is the midpoint of history, the center of life, the subject and object of the New Testament:

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is the King of Kings with authority to back it up.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is the Deliverer of humanity and all of creation.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is the Son of Man who relates to us and is attentive to humanity.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is the Word become flesh, the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, Living Water, and the Light of the World.

In the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus is Lord, the risen and ascended Christ who will come again.

In Romans, Jesus is the Son of God, securing our union with God, justifying us according to his mercy and grace.

In 1 Corinthians, Jesus is the Wisdom and Power of God, despite the foolishness of the cross.

In 2 Corinthians, Jesus is the Reconciler, the One who has brought forgiveness and reconciliation to the world.

In the book of Galatians, Jesus is our Substitute for sin.

In Ephesians, Jesus is the Victor, the One who has subdued all the dark forces of this world.

In Philippians, Jesus is the Humble Servant, having submitted himself to death on a cross for our deliverance.

In Colossians, Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

In the First letter to the Thessalonians, Jesus is the Coming King and will soon be here!

In the Second letter to the Thessalonians, Jesus is the Glorious Lord who makes us partakers in God’s glory.

In the book of First Timothy, Jesus is the Savior of sinners of whom I am chief.

In Second Timothy, Jesus is the Righteous One who will come to Judge the living and the dead.

In Titus, Jesus is the Redeemer, snatching us from the realm of wickedness and godlessness.

In the little book of Philemon, Jesus is Good, and therefore, every good thing we have comes from him.

In Hebrews, Jesus is the Pioneer of Salvation and our faithful High Priest.

In James, Jesus is the Wise Teacher.

In First Peter, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In Second Peter, Jesus is the Divine Power that allows me to live a godly life.

In the Epistles of John, Jesus is Love, demonstrating God’s grace and mercy through the cross.

In Jude, Jesus is the Holy One who keeps us from falling and presents us faultless before God.

Finally, in Revelation, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

I need him, the Son of God and Son of Man; the Lord and Judge of all, the Redeemer and Savior of humanity, my Healer and my Friend.

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Bob and I are enjoying our Easter morning tradition. Reading the account of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death from the Gospel of John. “I have seen the Lord!” can be our response, too. Check it out….

On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus’ favorite disciple and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him.”

Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. They ran side by side, until the other disciple ran faster than Peter and got there first. He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in.

When Simon Peter got there, he went into the tomb and saw the strips of cloth. He also saw the piece of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus’ face. It was rolled up and in a place by itself. The disciple who got there first then went into the tomb, and when he saw it, he believed. At that time Peter and the other disciple did not know that the Scriptures said Jesus would rise to life. So, the two of them went back to the other disciples.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping when she stooped down and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?”

She answered, “They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.”

As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.”

Jesus told her, “Don’t hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But tell my disciples that I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God.” Mary Magdalene then went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord. She also told them what he had said to her. (John 20:1-18, CEV)

Mary Magdalene

Although the disciples Peter and John play a role in this story about Christ’s resurrection, the main character is Mary Magdalene.  This is significant and symbolic. Mary experienced one of the most profound and deep changes of life due to the ministry of Jesus.

Mary, as a troubled and immoral woman, knew about being spiritually enslaved to the machinations of seven demons. Jesus thoroughly delivered her from her personal hell.  Mary expressed eternal gratitude to him for changing her life. She followed Jesus and supported him in whatever ways she could.

Mary came to the foot of Christ’s cross. The other (male) disciples kept their distance out of fear.  Yet, Mary boldly stood with the other women for all to see – completely devoted to Jesus. She never turned her back on Jesus. Mary showed up at the grave on the Sunday morning of Christ’s resurrection. The other followers could not be found. Mary, however, came to the grave, still with a heart given to Jesus and grieving over his death.

Because Mary had a second chance at life, she was deeply thankful. For her, everything belonged to Jesus.  Mary Magdalene was forgiven much, and so she loved much.  Here she is, after her Lord’s crucifixion, death, and burial, at the grave of Jesus.  Mary came to the tomb on Easter Sunday still living in a Good Friday world – grieving, sad, and discouraged.  She soon discovered, however, that Christ is risen!

Surprised by Joy

Amid your days of disappointment, loss, or sadness, how are you surprised by joy and the presence of the risen Christ?  How is your grief been turned to gratitude?  Are you seeing the risen Lord?

One day, 34 years ago, I was down sick with the flu and in bed.  I barely remember my wife coming into the bedroom after a doctor’s appointment upset and crying.  She tried to rouse me with a mix of good and bad news.  My wife went to the doctor thinking she probably had picked up my flu.  Instead, the doctor gave her the news: she is pregnant with our first child.  But there was more….

After the examination, the doctor believed our newly discovered little baby might be in the wrong place – that she was not where she should be. The little bundle might very well be in the fallopian tube and not the womb.  So, here I am – barely able to move, getting out of bed – driving my wife to the hospital for an ultrasound.

I felt such a range of emotions within me that all I could do was weep, feeling, much like Mary Magdalene, that my Lord has been taken away from me.  It just seemed like I didn’t know where Jesus was at that moment. It all felt so insanely surreal.

I will never forget the words and even the tone of voice of the ultrasound technician as we anxiously stared at a screen we didn’t understand.  The technician said, “She is right where she is supposed to be!”  The tears turned to joy.  And the words were prophetic. No way could the technician know at six weeks in the womb that we were having a little girl. Yet she referred to the peanut within my wife as “she.”  And we immediately knew what her name would be: “Sarah,” which is the Hebrew name for “Princess.” God graced us with a precious gift of royalty, coming from the grace of King Jesus.

You Are Where You’re Supposed To Be

I want us to know on this great Day of Resurrection, that we are right where we are supposed to be.  It might seem out of place, spending so much time at home because of a pandemic. It may feel weird not working in ways we’re used to, or even working at all. Perhaps we wonder where God is or how the divine fits into this topsy-turvy world of disease and economic uncertainty.

The truth of matter is this: You are right where you are supposed to be. God has you precisely where he wants you.  This morning, right now, you are a witness to the resurrection of Jesus.  Along with Mary Magdalene there is the astonished declaration, “I have seen Jesus!”

Let Mary Magdalene’s experience be of encouragement to you.  Mary experienced new life. She was transformed by the Lord.  Yet, on Easter Sunday she did not immediately get what the heck was going on.  Jesus rising from death was not anywhere on her radar.  The empty tomb and the angels did not immediately lead her to faith – not until she saw Jesus, and even then, she did not recognize him.

He Calls You by Name

Only when Jesus called her name did Mary recognize him and respond, believing it was her Lord.  Please know that Jesus is still calling out names, your name, too. Jesus said to his disciples that the sheep listen to the shepherd’s voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:3-4).  One little word can change our lives forever: our name.

Easter opens a whole new world for us, as it did for Mary – a future of announcing good news and proclaiming resurrection.  There is a simple reason why the grave clothes are left in the tomb just lying there – they aren’t needed anymore!  We no longer need the grave clothes of discouragement, defeat, and despair.  There is no longer a need to weep and wonder because Christ is risen! Jesus is calling your name. Can you hear his voice?

Is It True?

The great twentieth-century Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, said what brings people to worship God – not just on Easter, but any day – is an unspoken question clinging to our minds and hearts: Is it true? Is it true that God lives?  That Jesus is alive? Could it be true that I can live a new life in Christ? Is it true I can rebuild my life? Is any of it true?  Mary Magdalene approached the tomb and found that, indeed, it was all true.

All over the world, on Easter Sunday, followers of Jesus testify it is all real. Christ is risen, and there is new life in Jesus our Lord.  Right now, believers across the globe worship the risen Lord and declare along with us, “I have seen the Lord!”

God is still in the business of changing lives. British author A. N. Wilson used to be known for his scathing attacks on Christianity and proclaimed the death of God. But he celebrated Easter in 2009 at a church with a group of other church members, proclaiming that that the story of the Jesus of the Gospels is the only story that makes sense out of life and its challenges.

“My own return to faith has surprised none more than myself…. My belief has come about in large measure because of the lives and examples of people I have known—not the famous, not saints, but friends and relations who have lived, and faced death, in light of the resurrection story, and in the quiet acceptance that they have a future after they die.” A.N. Wilson

The Power of New Life

The moment Jesus calls a person’s name, the power of the resurrection is enabled—the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.  See what you consider as immovable slabs of stone in your life—maybe it’s bitterness, insecurity, fear, self-doubt or cynicism. Those immense rocks can be rolled away. To know Jesus is to know the power of the resurrection.  We don’t need to merely hear testimonies of changed lives like Mary Magdalene’s. We can experience new life ourselves through faith in Jesus.

There is one word, one name, which has forever changed the world: “Jesus.”  And Jesus wants to change the world by uttering one simple word, one name: your name, so that you can exclaim with great joy, “I have seen the Lord!”

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