I teach Bible classes for the over 50s at a local college and my new class is on first steps of interpreting scripture looking at several major themes that run through the entire book. In the ad for this in the catalogue I talk about the Bible being 'a complex book' and its 'complex message for the world and the church'. Thinking through the ad, I realized it was not clear and would probably be misunderstood (my fault in not thinking more about the ad!). I am sure some will disagree with my description of the Bible as a complex book with a complex message. I have been told that the Bible is really a simple book with a simple message and that talking about or teaching that it is complex simply puts people off.
I understand this view, and to a degree I agree with it. One could say that the Bible is simply about God. Or as one writer said it, it is all about God redeeming the world or God's love for the world. These statements are true (and wonderful!) but obviously not complete. The truth is that the Bible is complex. Think about the book of Ezekiel or Romans or Revelation! Our Bibles are translation from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, all complex ancient languages. Even some of its terms like 'redemption', 'justification', 'sanctification' are complex. So, the question is-why did God give us a complex, yet simple Bible?. I think there are several answers. One is that I picture the Bible like a gym. I do simple weekly workouts. My gym has all the various weights and machines giving me a choice of how strong I want to be. I do not use some of the weight machines, but they are there if I want to progress in developing physically. This is not an exact analogy for the Bible because it is not about choice. God expects us to use/read/study all of the Bible. The difficult parts of the Bible are like the heavier weights designed to build us up spiritually. They 'work us out' spiritually. Also the Apostle Paul states that understanding and applying the scriptures (which in his case was the Old Testament!) 'equips' the Christian 'for every good work' -2 Timothy 3.17. Notice it is not about head knowledge, but rather for 'every good work'. The reason for responding with good works is that through scripture we know and understand God more and more and in response for that we live in grateful worship wishing to please him more and more.
The second reason for the complexity is reinforcement/clear understanding. The message of the necessity of a substitutionary sacrifice to deal with sin, for instance, is pictured, proclaimed, promised, prophesied, both openly and subtly throughout the entire Bible. Jesus said in Luke 24.44 that in the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms, are writings about him. By this Jesus means the Gospel which in the Old Testament is surely pictured, promised, and patterned in the stories, the feasts, the commands, etc. We can more fully appreciate and gain insight into Jesus, his work, and the Gospel through understanding the Old Testament (substitutionary sacrifice for sin should never be doubted, It is 'reinforced' throughout the entire bible in every way whether direct teaching, picture, command, etc.).
The word 'equip' in 2 Timothy 3.17 is not a static term. It invites growth in that one can become more 'equipped', again in order for every good work in response to God and his love. This equipping, however, is not always easy. The Bible certainly can be both simple and complex to understand. Think, however, of the complexities as part of God's 'spiritual weight' program to make you spiritually stronger, and as a way to give you more 'equipment' to know God and please him in every way.
No comments:
Post a Comment