Today’s Readings: Psalm 52; Nehemiah 5:1-19; Luke 4:16-21; Romans 5:1-8; Psalm 120
Featured Reading: Nehemiah 5:1-19
If you move in religious circles long enough, you’re bound to run into someone who would identify him or herself as a biblical literalist. The person who makes this claim would have you believe they take every word in the Bible at face value – as the literal word of God. You are most likely to run into biblical literalists when you are talking about controversial social issues like homosexuality and abortion. The truth is that in all my years, I've never actually met a real biblical literalist. I say that because everyone I’ve bumped into who professes to be a biblical literal really falls into a different category. That category? Selective literalists. By this, I mean these individuals pick and chose which sections of the Bible they want to apply literally and which sections of the Bible they don’t. Case in point – today’s reading from the book of Nehemiah. In speaking to the community leaders of his day and addressing their financial practices, Nehemiah said: “What you’re doing is wrong. Is there no fear of God left in you...? This gouging them with interest has to stop. Give them back their foreclosed fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes right now. And forgive your claims on their money, grain, new wine, and olive oil” (Nehemiah 5:9-11 from The Message). I wonder how many biblical literalists would take those words to heart and launch a moralistic campaign against their financial institutions? What often gets lost in our attempts to codify our beliefs is what should really lie at the core of our spiritual life: a rock solid commitment to maintaining right relationships - with God and with one another. During this Lenten season of reflection, I would ask you: “What do you lead with in your spiritual life – rules, or right relationships?” Til next time…
Featured Reading: Nehemiah 5:1-19
If you move in religious circles long enough, you’re bound to run into someone who would identify him or herself as a biblical literalist. The person who makes this claim would have you believe they take every word in the Bible at face value – as the literal word of God. You are most likely to run into biblical literalists when you are talking about controversial social issues like homosexuality and abortion. The truth is that in all my years, I've never actually met a real biblical literalist. I say that because everyone I’ve bumped into who professes to be a biblical literal really falls into a different category. That category? Selective literalists. By this, I mean these individuals pick and chose which sections of the Bible they want to apply literally and which sections of the Bible they don’t. Case in point – today’s reading from the book of Nehemiah. In speaking to the community leaders of his day and addressing their financial practices, Nehemiah said: “What you’re doing is wrong. Is there no fear of God left in you...? This gouging them with interest has to stop. Give them back their foreclosed fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes right now. And forgive your claims on their money, grain, new wine, and olive oil” (Nehemiah 5:9-11 from The Message). I wonder how many biblical literalists would take those words to heart and launch a moralistic campaign against their financial institutions? What often gets lost in our attempts to codify our beliefs is what should really lie at the core of our spiritual life: a rock solid commitment to maintaining right relationships - with God and with one another. During this Lenten season of reflection, I would ask you: “What do you lead with in your spiritual life – rules, or right relationships?” Til next time…
2 comments:
"their' not our?
some have expressed ethical outrage if not moral. I think there is a difference.
one word - dispensationalism or "not now, not me"
Great thought about Biblical literalists not existing. If so they would surely love their enemies, pray for those who persecute them, and do what God requires of us all (Micah 6). Thanks for that...
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