" ... the conviction grew among us that reading Scripture is an art - a creative discipline that requires engagement and imagination, in contrast to the Enlightenment 's ideal of detached objectivity. In our practices of reading the Bible, we are (or should be) something like artists."
- Art of Reading Scripture - edited by Ellen F. Davis and Richard B. Hays
I think that viewing scripture like that would change many people's perspective of the importance and power of scripture. Scripture as an image - the Word of God, the image of God - both God and Man. As we partake of His flesh and drink of His blood - we begin to reflect the divine image about which we are given many precious promises. Engaging imagination in Scripture - Ignatian, comtemplative - live giving.
Just got back from the gym - I started back working out again aftedr not really doing it for a few years. I had already lost about 25 lbs. - but now to the gym to get what's left off and build some muscle. Believe it or not this is part of my lenten discipline - to give up "lazyness" so to speak. When it comes to exercise - I am definitely lazy. So this, along with getiing up earlier to spend more time with God is my Lenten rule - but I hope that it is a beginning to a life of the two habits and also a life of abstaining from things for periods of time.
It feels good to be sore. Earlier this week I was not saying that - but know that I am starting to get used to me routine, the soreness is welcome. Like the glass of yucky Nyquil when you feel bad. Bad but good.
There is a good discussion going on here at my brother's blog about about art and its uses. It looks like the beginning of are interesting look at art and its use for prayer and worship. Images fascinate me - I can't go anywhere without them.
I am still in chapter 2 of Resurrection it is a great book - but it is definitely slow reading. But worth it. It is just with seminary reading and other stuff that I am reading it will take time.
We are going camping this weekend with our church and I am looking forward to it - nothing like some retreat time. The people who are not going camping are driving down Sunday morning for "church in the woods" - something great about worshipping God in all that He had. But of all his creations - people are by far the most enjoyable.
We have put our meeting at Beechwood on temporary hold until we pray and find a better place to meet and connect with our community. I am positive that we need to do this - but the ten million dollar question is "where?"
I have finished the first chapter of Resurrection of the Son of God - I am enjoying it - but it is a chore to read. I usually can read about two fairly sized books a week - but this one I am having to slog on. But like a professor of mine says "Slog on brother, slog on" - and so I will.
The first chapter was basically outlining his methodology and some basic questions about the resurrection. He also called into play his dialogue partners ( I am assuming) of mostly critical/uberskeptical scholars - who it seems to me have more of a political axe to grind than to seek truth. I am going to start with the second chapter today or tommorrow ( I have some studying to for class.) In the next chapter he is going to go into the pagan views of the word "resurrection" and the afterlife - then moving on to the second temple Jewish views then into the gospels and early church. I like this strategy - seems to me (though has problems) to be important to getting a background of the worldview of the early church and how it deviated(or mutated is his word) from the second temple Judaism's views of resurrection.
I hope to gain much from this book. I am also praying as I read to discern correctly what I need to learn from this.
Started the mammoth Resurrection of the Son of God - by NT Wright last night.
Wow that book is going to be a paradigm shift in my thinking - especially the questions about what happens to a person when one dies. We Christians have all our cliche answers - but I believe that we never really stop to explore the philosophical implications of some of what we believe.
Why did God make us with bodies if we are never really going to use them but for a few years on earth? Why do we spend majority of our time on "heaven" as an after death experience nowadays versus what the Bible did - the resurrection?
These are some questions that I am very interested in exploring and have very practical implications about how we live our Christian lives.
On another topic about the body - I have had some kind of sinus infection that is driving me nuts. Headaaches, drainage, sniffles etc. I always seem to get them in the early spring and late fall. My wife says that cold weather has nothing to do with it - but weighing the facts I just cannot agree with her. But enough whining - I will get better.
Lord,
Help me to strip off any vestiages that I do not need and put on anything that makes me like you. Help me through the means of grace to deny myself, take up my cross and follow you. All things are permissable but all things are not beneficial. Help me to discern which is which.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.
I have been reading a book - It takes a Church to Raise a Christian
discussing the aspects of spiritual formation in community. The chapter I just read on Scripture was illuminating.
Here is synopsis of it:
Scripture is performative. In modernity too much emphasis was put on the facts of Scripture - by either liberals or conservatives. Scripture has to move beyond just being "knowledge" only.
Scripture can be likened to :
Recipe - when we have a recipe the end is not the recipe. We do not just read them and drool - collect them only, or just memorize recipe. Hopefully we move into the realm of tasting them. They were meant to be performed - something is to be cooked.
Score - Music written that is not played is not fulfilling its intent. We may have a beautifully designed score with calligraphy and on beautiful paper - but if it is not played then its true use and beauty cannot be partaken of.
Constitution - Our grand document (that is often today under attack and re-interpretation) may be beautiful in Washington under glass - but it was written to order our individual lives and our society. Without application - or the living of it out - it is just a pretty piece of paper.
Looking at Scripture in these ways push us to its ultimate value and purpose - to involve us in the story of the Lord of history by the alignment of our lives to the story.
It is amazing to me the people who will contend for the inerrancy of scripture (in which I believe) or a certain "version" ( KJV Onlyists and the like) but fail to understand the very purpose and intent of the scripture - a changed and reoriented life.
I love going to the jail to work with the guys. That are so hungry for the Word and for people to teach them and love them. Granted not all of them that accept the faith will continue to walk in it when they get out - if I see one life change then it is worth all the time I spend there.
It is amazing to me how hungry they are for God. I guess adverse situations generally put you there and I do wonder how much of the time it jail-cell (or fox-hole) conversions - but to have people that are actually interested in hearing the Word of life is refreshing. Especially after all the "Christians" outside that go to church every Sunday and hear but never really listen but are so consumed with their lives. I suppose that is why most revivals that have happened occured with the "common" folk - the ones that the cares of life will not choke out the seed. I definitely see what Neil Cole said about bad people make good soil.
Oh I so bad what to see Jesus glorified in this community and this world. But what am I really willing to do to see it happen?
"God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee." - Jim Elliot