Changing the Conversation about Scripture
In the older church calendars, this Sunday is Holy Scripture Sunday, the last Sunday before “Christ the King Sunday,” (the last Sunday of the church year). It is not on the official church calendar and, officially, it is noted only in the Collect of the Day which is one of my favorites and draws our attention to the wondrous gift that is the Scripture.
“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Sometimes taking the Scripture seriously gets a bad rap. We get pilloried as anti-science, anti-progress, anti-gay, anti-environment, anti-, anti-, anti-. It is sad to me that Christians today are more often identified by what some might be against rather than the good news of Jesus!
The only way that perception will change is if we change the conversation. Keeping silent won’t change it. Speaking only to oppose and condemn won’t change it. Speaking up about the great Biblical story of God’s unbounded love for all of His creation will. Speaking of what God has done in your life will. Speaking of Jesus who loves us and redeems us will.
The Bible does have some does and don’t’s. But that is not the center. The center of the Bible is the sweeping tale of God’s love for us, His desire that we know Him and that we live lives that are full, complete and joyful in His service. What are you doing to be a winsome witness for God’s work?
This column is from the November 19, 2017 issue of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete eNews.
If you are reading this at a later time, you can click here for the current eNews.
