Here are a few more quotes from N.T. Wright's recent book on the Bible.
The trouble with all this is of course the lack of control. Once you can make scripture stand on its hind legs and dance a jig, it becomes a tame pet rather than a roaring lion. It is no longer "authoritative" in any strict sense; that is it may be cited as though in "proof" of some point or other, but it is not leading the way, energizing the church with the fresh breath of God himself. The question must always be asked, whether scripture is being used to serve an existing theology or vice versa. (p71)
To affirm "the authority of scripture" is precisely not to say, "we know what scripture means and don't need to raise any more questions." It is always a way of saying that the church in each generation must make fresh and rejuvenated efforts to understand scripture more fully and live by it more thoroughly, even if that means cutting across cherished traditions. (p.92)
It is with the Bible in its hand, its head, and its heart--not merely with the newspaper and the latest political fashion or scheme that the church can go to work in the world, confident that Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not. (p.116)
We dare not try to tame the Bible. It is our foundation charter; we are not at liberty to play fast and loose with it. (p.132)
No comments:
Post a Comment