It's Official, I'm a Heretic!
Well, I've been pondering some stuff lately. And if my friends don't think I'm a heretic already, they will now!
But my recent spiritual journey has led me to become extremely frustrated with how Christians use the Bible. Or, based on my experiences, I should probably limit it to Evangelicals, or at least Southern Baptists.
But it's become this weapon. This litmus test.
So often I hear the phrase - "the word of God".
"Take it to the word", "See if it lines up with the word", "Know the word, and you'll be able to fight the enemy."
I've been giving it some thought. And what if, in some of the places (notice I didn't say all) where we've translated the phrase "the word" or "the word of God" as meaning "the Bible", what if it should actually be Christ's name that is supposed to be read into the word, "word"?!
For instance, most Christians know the verse John 1:1-5 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood (or overcome) it."
I haven't met a Christian yet that would argue that that passage is referring to Jesus as being "the Word".
So why, then, do we not insert his name other times where the word "word" is used?
The reason I ask this question is this:
The heart of my pondering is wondering if our approach to things that Christians get all fired up about would look different if the name of Jesus replaced what is often translated as meaning "the Bible" (actual words)?
In other words, what would change about our attitudes if, for instance, it read:
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle [Jesus] the Word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."
2 Cor 2:15-17
"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort [Jesus]. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
2 Cor 4:1-2
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is [Jesus]."
Eph 6:14-17
"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of [Jesus] all over again. You need milk, not solid food!"
Heb 5:11-12
"For [Jesus] is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, who penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. He judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to who we must give account."
Heb 4:12-13
Here's the deal.
I think that this is huge. I have struggled over the last several months with realizing that I'm really good at looking like "church", but I absolutely suck at looking like Christ.
And I asked myself: Why is that?
And I think the answer is: Because I've spent my whole life thinking that the thing that I was trying to look like, or line up with, was scripture (the word) instead of Jesus (the Word). And I really believe that my Christian walk will look a lot better, and perhaps more like it should, if I spent my time trying to look like Jesus instead of trying to accomplish a to-do list, or live up to a spiritual rule book.
I remember in Sunday School, talking about how the Ephesians passage, referred to by most Christians as the "Armor of God passage", says to us that the Bible (as the sword of the spirit), is the only offensive piece of armor listed, it's a weapon. And I bought that for so long. But now, I'm really weighing the consequences of that belief. I'm realizing my approach to evangelism with that mentality is so....violent, conquering, battle-driven. And though, as stated a few verses earlier in that passage, our struggle/battle is not against flesh and blood - our weapon isn't the Bible, our sword (weapon) is Jesus, but not in the way that He is so often used. Jesus isn't our personal weapon to attack others with, because we aren't fighting one another, we're fighting the spirits of darkness, Jesus is our weapon against Satan. By being covered in His blood, our spiritual sword is telling Satan where he can go because of Jesus! Because He, Jesus, is living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword!
Think of the ramifications of inserting Jesus' name in these verses (and others) instead of some text on a page! Which is more true - that words on a page judge the hearts and attitudes of men or that Jesus, God incarnate, is the judge of man? The One who told David that man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord judges the heart! The One who, in Old Testament times, saw that the hearts of men were wicked and evil all the time (i.e. Noah - Genesis 6:5).
And here comes the really blasphemous part!
Even though David was referring to the Torah - written words on a page, what if Psalm 119:9-11 was read:
How can a young man (person) keep his (or her) way pure?
By living according to Jesus.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden Jesus in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
What were the commands (the greatest commands as we often call them) which Jesus gave to the rich young ruler?
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
(This sums up the Law and the Prophets.)
Everything that Jesus said and did and taught was centered on those two things.
Loving God (truly) and Loving People - especially those who the religious leaders most despised.
It's often been said that it's a Catch 22, because you can't truly love God if you don't love His people. Because we're pretty amazingly important to Him. And you can't really love people if you don't love God. Because let's face it, people are annoying, irritating, messy, messed up, arrogant, selfish, etc......sinners.
So there's my heresy! I don't think the Bible is the main event. I think Jesus is! I think if I only read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and then did my best to emulate what Christ says to do and does himself, within those four books, that I'd be fully equipped to live this life for God.
See, I don't think that Paul's letters are central to my faith - even though I quoted parts of them above. Because he was most often trying to teach new Christians how to get rid of their old habits from being outside the realm of God's teaching - the Torah/Law. My problem is that I'm a Pharisee - so I need to hear what Jesus said to them. I need to learn how to extend grace to those who don't "measure up to the Law". I need to hear how my righteousness is like filthy rags! I need to remember that those who have been forgiven of much are more equipped to forgive much, and I need to come to terms with how much I've truly been forgiven of! I need to hear that God has the freedom to pour out his blessings on whomever he pleases, even if they only worked for an hour and I worked from sunup to sunset. And most of all I need to be reminded, like the prodigal's brother, that there is nothing I can do that will make God love me less, AND there is nothing I can do to make God love me MORE!
But Jesus wasn't just talking to the Pharisees during his time on earth. His lessens were just as much for the woman caught in adultery, the woman at the well, the rich young ruler, the lame and blind who were healed. Every person in every walk of life learned about God's heart and character because of Jesus. Every other New Testament (and Old Testament) author was just telling the story to his culture, his sphere of influence.
So there you go. Stone me if you must. But the Lord knows the heart - and he knows that I'm sincerely trying to look more like him than the Pharisees - and so some of my views on some things have changed in the process. I'll keep you posted on how it works out for me!
You are welcome and invited to tag along if you'd like!
posted by Kathryn Young at 12:05 AM
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