With all the examples of great fathers and mothers of the faith conversing, arguing, and fighting with God, I've always thought it strange that some people approach scripture as if God is finished speaking. What kind of relationship is so one-sided that for nearly two thousand years, only one side gets to speak, and the other must simply listen? The Bible is littered with examples of faithful people in real conversation with God. However, most modern Christians only address God in prayer, and then mostly with petitions.
If the Bible is a significant part of God's word to us, then why shouldn't we address it as we would a real conversation with any other of our friends? In real conversations, one participant doesn't just sit back and agree with everything being said. There are tensions and resolutions, and some questions are simply left unanswered. I know many people are uncomfortable with unanswered questions, but I cannot think of any real relationship in my life in which there is not a certain amount of ambiguity.
Apart from prayer, I see the Bible as God's biggest offering of conversation to us as His followers. It is so plain to me that scripture is simply a means to an end, that being a walk with God. Of course, I am not suggesting a biblical buffet, where each person just picks and chooses what they want to accept. This is an all-too-typical straw man argument against those who are really seeking to find truth through conversation. In fact, I believe conversing with the biblical witnesses treats scripture more highly than simply claming the Bible as petrified truth. It is so refreshing to start reading passages of scripture knowing that God wants a response, not just a nod in the affirmative.
Peace & Blessings.
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2 comments:
Wow. After having read "Gay Theology Without Apology," I can identify some of the ideas you are talking about here. As you know, the author relates to Jesus as a friend with whom you would have a real relationship with- ie disagreements and discussions. Instead of trying to justify the anti-gay Biblical passages, he just says he thinks they are wrong and makes no apology for that.
Another thought I had was the banner I saw outside of a Unitarian Universalist church- something to the effect of "God speaks," instead of "God spoke." (a comma instead of a full-stop, period) I'm sure I'm messing it all up but you get the idea!
Yeah. Two groups I highly regard concerning spirituality as conversation are the UUAs and the Quakers. And I think the United Church of Christ had a campaign going entitled "God is Still Speaking" or something to that effect.
Peace,
Daniel
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