Back in August I wrote two posts based on a lecture given by noted theologian N.T. Wright. Unfortunately, these posts were completely misunderstood and I now am being accused of denying the “authority of scripture.” I believe that most of the criticism has come from individuals who only read the title of the first post, Authority of Scripture?, which is a play on the title of Wright’s lecture, and wrongly assumed that I was questioning the nature of scripture. If some had taken the time to actually read my posts and had taken care to read Wright’s words on the subject this misunderstanding might have been resolved. There is no way that someone could conclude that I or Wright disregard scripture as the Word of God based on my two posts and his lecture. N.T. Wright is a well respected and highly regarded New Testament theologian. He is no fly-by-night snake oil salesman of half-cracked ideas. Members of the Jesus Seminar quake at the mentioning of his name. He is nothing but a defender of the faith. The lecture was asking us to rethink what the word authority means. To strip-off our ideas of control and get back to what the authority of God truly is. Wright argues that God has vested His authority in scripture. Scripture, therefore, is “designed to liberate human beings, to judge and condemn evil and sin in the world in order to set people free to be fully human.”
Wright believes this and so do I.
Let me write that again: I believe that God’s authority is vested in scripture making it designed to liberate humanity, to judge and condemn evil and sin in the world in order to set people free to be fully human.
Having a blog has made me realize a couple of things. First, I need to continue working on my writing skills. This was the reason I began blogging in the first place. A blog forced me to write and to write well. Writing forces me to slow down and to choose my words carefully and thoughtfully. Part of this misunderstanding could have been resolved had I stated my thoughts more clearly. I need to continue working on my writing.
I also realized a hard truth: Some people choose to misunderstand. There are some people who loved to hate my posts on this subject because they believe that I gave them some sort of ammunition with which they in turn can use against me.
A friend once told me that it wasn’t a coincidence that both Jesus and the Pharisees ended up in the same grain field on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-11). The Pharisses were following Jesus, watching his every move so that they could catch him “messing up.” They wanted to trap him in something that he did or said.
The same goes for this site. There are some visitors here that are looking to hurt me. It doesn’t matter what I say or do. If my beliefs don’t line up 200% behind theirs then I am condemned. There are those that are furious with what I wrote and with what I do so they talk among themselves about what to do with me.
I don’t hold anything against these people who wish to do me harm or who try and twist my words against me. Please take my tunic. It is yours. I am offering you the other side of my face. I will take your rumor and conjecture with good nature. I will try harder to communicate more clearly. Thank you.
I have sat on this post for a few weeks now. I thought that this misunderstanding would just go away but it hasn’t. And it may never go away. I’m ok with that because I know where my hope lies and I know whom I have believed. I could have gone back and deleted the posts or doctored their content but I have not nor will I do that. I wrote what I wrote for better or worse. All I can do is try harder to communicate more fully.
I still plan on writing another article on the subject of the “authority of scripture” after I read Wright’s book, The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of Scripture . The book will not be published until December so that article will be a long time in coming. I still plan on maintaining the blog. I still plan on writing about the same things: U2, God, Theology, Ministry, Books, Popular Culture. I will still continue kicking at the darkness. I am even more resolved and I remain undaunted in this task.
And I still believe that scripture is authoritative and that we are called to follow God’s Word.
Michael,
Sadly, it seems more and more Christians are becoming extremely analytical in their study and response to Scripture, rather than living it.
Interesting enough, there once was a group of men who did the same thing almost two thousand years ago. Strange coincidence? I don’t think so.
I don’t know about you, but when I find myself under attack, I become more resolved to serve with the heart of Christ. People today see the risen Christ in us who serve. They cannot refute God’s love for them.
Keep up the spiritual battle and let our Lord guide you in His ways.
Take care,
Mark
Thanks Mark.
Your encouragement means a great deal to me. I have found myself being drawn more and more into the love of Christ as I feel more and more drained by outside criticism. I have re-read the Gospel accounts over the past week and I’ve seen a pattern in Jesus’ dealings with the Pharisees. Instead of out-right anger toward the Pharisees, I see Jesus weeping with sadness and frustration (I see anger too). He loves us and wants us to open our eyes to his love and compassion. His Way leads to life. How many times have I lived out the words of Jesus, “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand” in my life? I’ve missed the point. I’ve gone my own way. I’ve gotten hot and bothered over something that I thought was right. I’ve hurt others (purposefully or not). I’m no different. I am ready to hear Jesus and to see Him on His terms not anyone else’s. I just want to live out His words.
I am ready to move beyond the criticism into a time of renewal and refocus on Jesus as the center of my life and the purpose for my ministry. It will take some time. But I know that even now, through the wind and the waves and the fire, I’m being refined and renewed. If that is the worst thing that happens, being made into a greater likeness of my Savior and learning to live His love out, than this will all be worth it.
Even through the wind and the waves and the fire, I can hear my Savior say, “Take courage.”
Thanks Mark.
Peace
Michael,
I definitely agree with you and the battle we face while developing our character in Christ. Funny how we tend to read the Scriptures in a rather surface way, then read them with deeper meaning and more relational.
The more analytical/logical we make in trying to understand Jesus, the less human He becomes to us.
Jesus physically touched people. When He healed them, he touched them. When they wept, He touched them. What happened to us that we’re afraid to hug or embrace or even reach out and take someone’s hand in the name of Christ? Has our soceity or religion driven us away from touching people with the heart of Jesus?
I know with your calling, you see this everyday. In your eyes, what has happened to us?
Interesting perspective, is it not?
It amazes me how many people sing,”My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…” but haven’t a clue as to how to live those simple words. Your example, as stated above, is inspiring. You must have read the Sermon on the Mount or something. Didn’t Jesus say something about not bringing your sacrifices if you had something against another. Go and make it right with them before you offer your gifts to God? Keep up the good work.
Ed
Ed-
Because most of the criticism and accusations have come to me as rumor or second-hand information I struggle with what it means to “go to my brother or sister.” If I rant and rave about what this person said or get bent out of shape because I heard so and so thinks this then I’ve given over to rumor as well. (I keep thinking about “Larry Boy and the Rumor Weed”) I would be acting in the same spirit that they are. So instead of perpetuating rumor, I’m done with it. I’ve given all of this over to God and said my peace here in my little forum. I can’t tell you how free I feel. I’ve forgiven and now I can get back to offering my gifts to God. No hard feelings just a sense of recommitment to doing the right thing. Amazing!
Thanks.
I wasn’t talking about you going and making it right, silly!