Tag Archives: doctrine

The Bible and change

12 Replies

We’ve been talking about what we would change about the Bible. I find it to be an interesting idea to think about. However, we know that things don’t work that way. We are in no place to make changes to God’s Word.

The very points at which we wish to make changes to God’s Word are the points in which we need to change.

We need to place ourselves under the Word. Rather than seeking to master the Bible, our task is to learn to be mastered by the Bible. We have to humble ourselves and seek to grow in understanding rather than trying to mold the Bible to our views.

It’s a lesson I need to be reminded of time and again.

Changing the Bible

4 Replies

I was really impressed with the comments yesterday. I’m almost embarrassed to throw my thoughts into the mix, especially because they’re not nearly as spiritual as some of those made yesterday. Still, I started this, so I can’t really drop out now. So here goes:

  1. I’d smooth over some of the rough edges. You know, the killings, the slavery, things like that.
  2. I’d make sure that the narratives had clearly delineated morals. No ambiguity about who acted justly or whether or not what someone did was a sin. I’d spell it out.
  3. Along that line, I’d have a section of laws to satisfy those who think the Bible should be a rule book.
  4. I would also have a section of “catechism,” spelling out the correct position on major doctrinal issues (and minor ones that everyone treats as major issues)

There’s my remake of the Bible. Any other suggestions?

[Now before anyone gets upset, no, I’m not criticizing the Bible. Again, this is what I consider to be a thought exercise. Apologies if anyone is offended.]

How would you change the Bible?

14 Replies

I doubt that there is anyone who is completely comfortable with everything the Bible says. Honestly, I have to say that if you are, you probably haven’t studied it enough.

For some it’s the ethnic cleansing passages in the Old Testament? You know, the ones where God commands the killing of every living being, in some cases even the animals.

For others, it’s a certain passage that supports a doctrine they aren’t comfortable with. I actually had some people get upset with me from reading one of the Psalms that talks about worshiping with instruments since our fellowship does not use instruments in worship.

For others, it may even be a command they don’t wish to follow or an outlook on life they wish wasn’t there. Visit the Conservative Bible Project for one group’s creative response to this problem. Don’t like what the Bible says? Change it!

Some would like more straightforward statements on controversial issues. Don’t make us wonder about whether or not Adam and Eve had navels… tell us straight out! End the discussions over predestination and trinitarianism and pacifism and…

What if that were possible? What if you were given the authority to make changes to the Bible? (No, you don’t need to quote the end of Revelation to me. This is merely a thought exercise.] In what ways would you change the Bible? If you were given the chance to design the perfect holy book, what would it look like?

Condemned by the Bible

16 Replies

Photo by Ove Tøpfer; from Stock Xchange

I’ve been thinking about a common expression I hear. People say, “The Bible condemns ____.” Seems like we don’t use that verb in that sense very often, yet I hear it frequently in connection with the Bible.

What do we mean when we say that? I mean, I know what it means to condemn something. But at what point do we say that the Bible condemns something? I hear that applied to things that the Bible speaks negatively about, even when the Bible doesn’t say those things are actually sinful.

The problem I see is that we confuse the different meanings of condemn. We hear it said that the Bible condemns a certain something and somehow begin to connect it with salvation. Saying “The Bible condemns…” seems to add unnecessary weight to any given argument.

It seems to me, in my rarely humble opinion, that it would do us well to avoid this phrase. What do you think?

Teaching to the test

8 Replies

There’s an expression used in discussing education: “teaching to the test.” With more and more states using standardized achievement tests, the fear is that teachers will only teach the things that are going to be tested, rather than trying to give the students a well-rounded education.

It’s my opinion that the same thing happens in our Bible study. On a personal level, we can find ourselves focusing on certain parts of the Bible that address the topics we feel are most important. At a congregational level, we can find churches that emphasize certain aspects of doctrine or that emphasize relational topics. Some concentrate on proper worship. Others look at the marks of a true church. Some focus on the gospels, others stick to the epistles. Some churches neglect the Old Testament; others neglect the central doctrines of the New Testament.

What we see to be most important will shape what we study and what we teach. Some will focus on head knowledge, others on correct behavior.  Some will emphasize grace, others will focus on personal responsibility.

How do we ensure that we maintain balance in our teaching? How can we teach “the whole counsel of God,” avoiding the neglect of biblical topics? Do you have any suggestions?