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)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tom Wright on The Bible part 1
Below is a list of some of my favorite quotes from Wright's book Scripture and The Authority of God.
"Taken as a whole, the church clearly can't live without the Bible, but it doesn't seem to have much idea of how to live with it" (preface).
"Integrity consists not of having no presuppositions but of being aware of what one's presuppositions are and of the obligation to listen to and interact with those who have different ones" (13).
"Scripture itself points--authoritatively, if it does indeed possess authority!--away from itself and to the fact that the final and true authority belongs to God himself, now delegated to Jesus Christ" (22).
"The biblical writers live with the tension of believing both that in one sense God has always been sovereign over the world and that in another sense this sovereignty, this saving rule, is something which must break afresh into the world of corruption, decay, and death, and the human rebellion, idolatry, and sin which are so closely linked with it" (27).
"A fully Christian view of the Bible includes the idea of God's self-revelation but, by setting it in a larger context, transforms it. Precisely because the God who reveals himself is the world's lover and judge, rather than its absentee landlord, that self-revelation is always to be understood within the category of God's mission to the world, God's saving sovereignty let loose through Jesus and the Spirit and aimed at the healing and renewal of all creation" (29).
"Taken as a whole, the church clearly can't live without the Bible, but it doesn't seem to have much idea of how to live with it" (preface).
"Integrity consists not of having no presuppositions but of being aware of what one's presuppositions are and of the obligation to listen to and interact with those who have different ones" (13).
"Scripture itself points--authoritatively, if it does indeed possess authority!--away from itself and to the fact that the final and true authority belongs to God himself, now delegated to Jesus Christ" (22).
"The biblical writers live with the tension of believing both that in one sense God has always been sovereign over the world and that in another sense this sovereignty, this saving rule, is something which must break afresh into the world of corruption, decay, and death, and the human rebellion, idolatry, and sin which are so closely linked with it" (27).
"A fully Christian view of the Bible includes the idea of God's self-revelation but, by setting it in a larger context, transforms it. Precisely because the God who reveals himself is the world's lover and judge, rather than its absentee landlord, that self-revelation is always to be understood within the category of God's mission to the world, God's saving sovereignty let loose through Jesus and the Spirit and aimed at the healing and renewal of all creation" (29).
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Radical Together
I have been reading through David Platt's new book Radical Together. The book continues the passionate plea for people to fully become who God has created them to be as they pursue a relationship with him. What has been most challenging for me is the reminder that as a minister (professional Christian) I am not the key by which someone unlocks the riches of the Bible, rather my role is to be the facilitator to help people discover the wisdom, truth, and hope found in the pages of the Bible.
I have long puzzled over my own denomination's "Battle for the Bible that began before I was born and lasted over a few decades, and the reality that we are good at defending the Bible as the authoritative, inspired, infallible word of God but not very good at letting the Bible completely change our lives and our hearts, our marriages and our families, our churches and our communities. It's good to be reminded that I, nor my denomination are keepers of the Holy Grail (the Bible) but that as individuals live their lives in the light of scripture we help others to do the same.
I have long puzzled over my own denomination's "Battle for the Bible that began before I was born and lasted over a few decades, and the reality that we are good at defending the Bible as the authoritative, inspired, infallible word of God but not very good at letting the Bible completely change our lives and our hearts, our marriages and our families, our churches and our communities. It's good to be reminded that I, nor my denomination are keepers of the Holy Grail (the Bible) but that as individuals live their lives in the light of scripture we help others to do the same.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Paste
One last Dylan list for the rest of the Dylan fans out there! This is a great list because it includes so many great musicians who offer their take on a music icon.
50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Paste
50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Paste
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