Our Banana Republic - NYTimes.com

Our Banana Republic - NYTimes.com

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/08 "How the Bible Works"

How the Bible Works

Excerpt from 2 Peter 1:16-21

“No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation…men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Reflection by William C. Green

“I’d rather just do it myself.  Asking for help is more trouble than it’s worth.”  We want things done right—usually our way.  There’s a right way to do the laundry—and fold the towels.  There’s a right way to paint the kitchen, plan a budget, and cut down on expenses.  There’s a right way to give to the church and think of tithing (or not).  We tend to be dedicated self-determiners on matters of sensitivity. 

This attitude won’t work with the Bible.  It’s why many don’t read it.  The Bible was never meant to be handled alone.  It’s the church’s book, like the hymnbook.  It was and is a joint project before it makes sense personally.  Pulled together from earlier sources by leaders of the people of God during the 6^th century BCE and, in its final form, the 4^th century CE, the Bible is the result of group deliberation and debate.

The Bible came alive, and comes alive again today, in the company of other “men and women moved by the Holy Spirit of God.”  The spirit of God that Jesus awakens happens among us, not simply within us.  Together, as part of a community of faith, personal responses to the Bible are put in play with the responses of others.  They learn from us, we from them.  Together, we are more than the sum of our parts—and the Bible ignites faith as never before. 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for not leaving me alone to figure out what the Bible means.  Amen.

About the Author William C. Green, a United Church of Christ minister, is the Director of Long Looking, a consultancy service specializing in fundraising and education for congregations. His new book, 52 Ways to Ignite Your Congregation: Generous Giving, has just been published.