Under a spell February 17, 2007
Posted by Alien Drums in Bible, Scripture.trackback
“You’re saying we need to approach the Bible more that way. You’re saying we need to flirt with it, romance it–or maybe let its message romance us,” the pastor says in Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christian. (p. 57)
I’ve known some people who seem to approach Scripture that way. They love being “with” it. I can’t say that I am one of them. I have not really enjoyed reading the Bible. I have such an insatiable curiosity that I’m always wanting to read something new. I know the old thing about always finding something new in Scripture, but it seldom happens for me.
Now, I think I may know why. I surely do not romance Scripture and let its message romance me. I must try this, if I can.
In McLaren’s book, Neo says to the pastor: “I wonder … what would happen if we approached the text less aggressively but even more energetically and passionately. I wonder what would happen if we honestly listened to the story and put ourselves under its spell, so to speak, not using it to get all of our questions about God answered but instead trusting God to use it to pose questions to us about us.” (pp. 57-58)
I hear what you are saying. After decades of daily Bible reading, I grew weary of it. I wanted someone to discuss it with to try to discern its meaning and implications. Rob Bell reminds us that the books of the Bible were originally written to be read and discussed in community. Part of my problem was that I was not listening to the story. Yet, good things happen when gifted teaching in mixed with community interaction.
I love that about reading it in community. Thanks, Glenn.
I got my first exposure to Rob Bell the other night in a small group video about God providing for our needs. Excellent.
Yes, now that is much better than what I said in my comment at Visitor’s Card! Thanks for visiting me by the way!