The Bible

As a Pastor, I strive to lead people in stronger faith understanding and it starts with the Bible.  I love teaching Bible studies…simple bible studies where we focus on each verse and line.  I don’t think I ever have used a canned Bible study for any group as most of them are poorly written and fall into a more literal view of scripture. 

In the Lutheran Church, well, in the ELCA, we mainly teach the historical critical method in our theology with scripture.   I love deep conversations in Genesis when the subject of creation comes up. Someone usually makes the comment that yes, “it reads that God made the universe in 6 days.  But for God, a day might be a billion years.”

Yes, but It’s still deeper than that.  It’s still not what Genesis 1 is saying to us. We might also be talking about Noah’s ark. Something we’ve heard about since kindergarten or Sunday School. And we’ve seen pictures of the ark with animal heads peering up above the sides of the boat, so happy to be saved.   These stories are not meant to be historic or literal.   They are so much more.  They are relational.  But how do we teach this realization?

Most people read Genesis and eventually realize that the creation story makes no literal sense. At some point they have to confront what they were taught to believe and what they really believe are two different things.   Genesis 1 and Noah’s Ark require some deeper education that goes beyond the literal reading of the text.   And we haven’t done that for our members.  We don’t provide much for further education on the historical understanding of the bible.

I think there is a deep disconnect in the church where we are trying to preach and teach on a different level than what most people have been brought up to believe. Preaching styles don’t always lead to faith seeking biblical understanding. Bible studies aren’t always led by people who are educated in theology.  How many people actually attend a Bible study to learn how to think deeper in their theology in the first place?  Maybe ten percent? And, at the same time, as clergy, we realize that presenting a more scholarly approach to the Bible during sermon time could be offensive to some and shatter some cherished beliefs.

At the same time as we are trying to get a grasp on biblical literacy, we also know the church down the street still preaches of a world that’s only 5,000 years young and they have no problem proclaiming that these stories are factual and literally true.   So, how do we deal with these basic Biblical differences?  Our denomination strives for the highest educated ministers in the business.  Why are so we disconnected from the people in our churches when it comes to biblical literacy?   

Now, I don’t see people leaving congregations over theological differences as much anymore.  People typically leave the church because of how they are treated, rather than specific teachings they have trouble with. I’m not sure how many people really know what their specific congregation really stands for or believe.  If church isn’t a place where someone feels welcomed, accepted with all their flaws, and encouraged to be part of a community that compassionately cares for one another and their neighbors I can’t really blame them for leaving church.  So, what does this tell us about the importance of the knowledge of scripture?   Ironically, congregations are relational.   Wouldn’t it be great if we could make the connection between the relationships in the bible and the relationships we live in today’s world?   This is where preaching style and context matters as it is a means to building that relationship.

Another top reason I believe people are leaving churches is the entertainment values.  We now live in a consumer/entertainment culture. Instant gratification and emotional music replace deeper Bible (or any other ancient Scripture) study. 

The good news is that the Lutheran denomination still chooses substance and biblical study over entertainment and glory.  We choose the cross and grace over the feeling good emotions of loving God.  We live for God loving us… unconditionally!  God comes to us relationally!

Yes, we all have much more to learn about scripture.  Again… Scripture is relational.  It’s where we ask questions of the Word and listen to what our theologians can teach us about the mysteries of each word.  Does it matter if Jonah really got swallowed by the whale if we remember that the story is about God’s active calling for us all to follow God?   

I’m not sure how to address this biblical illiteracy problem, but I encourage anyone who is in a theological crisis with scripture to go to your bible studies and listen.  Listen to what is being said about God’s Word and what God is saying to you.  Then, spend time with scripture and see what questions arise that you can share in these studies.  It’s never too late to learn about Jesus! 

AMEN