We are a church that has respect for the scriptures as a tool that shapes our faith in God.

As an American it is impossible to deny how influential the Bible has been to our identity. Politicians quote it to inspire hope or fear depending on their agenda. Pastors quote it to augment their particular brand of theology. Regular folks read it daily for a myriad of reasons. It has become a lens through which many people try to make sense of an uncertain world. The scriptures boast a revelation of future events that give the reader a sense of, living outside of time. As a race we wonder about our purpose, we query if there is a divine plan, we seek to know where we fit, and the Bible speaks to all of those deep quests of mankind.

I’ve often made the Bible analogous with a microscope. The purpose of a microscope is to help us see things that the naked eye could not behold. In other words it is a means to an end. The scriptures are not God but they can help us see God. When we read the stories that detail personal struggles of faith, it reminds us that our present difficulties are not insurmountable. When the prophets cry out against national abuses, we can be challenged to put a mirror on our own nation and ask how we measure. The book is at least a revelation of man’s desire to know the Divine.

The more pressing question might be; “How does God use the scriptures to speak to me?” Before we can answer that, we must first discern our presuppositions about the scriptures. One view is that they were inspired, God breathed, as the Apostle Peter states. I and many in our church hold to this position. Yet, I’m afraid there is even more clarification needed with that concept. I don’t take it to mean that the writers went into a trance like state and were overpowered by God. Nor do I believe that they were always secretaries dictating the exact language of God. There are precious few times when even the writers of scripture believed they were speaking the very words of God. When they did I pay particularly close attention, (Ten Commandments and the like). Much of the holy writings are stories about events, and contain a certain moral, or lesson to be figured out by the reader. The accuracy of the particulars of those events, are not exclusively the means we use to substantiate the truth of the story. For instance, the gospel writers disagree as to the color robe Jesus wore at his trial. We don’t feel the need to defend that discrepancy because they concur on the main point. Jesus had a trial. That tension does not discourage authenticity but in fact validates it. One would expect insignificant variations in the story from author to author. The inspiration is found in the point of the story.

Armed with a perspective that searches for the point or principle of scripture, we can begin to look for an epiphany that speaks to our personal need, and the needs of our generation. The bible is true not because of it’s geographical, or scientific accuracy, but because it’s point resonates with my experience. Truth that is understandable must have a real world application. There is a sort of clinical research that occurs when I listen to the point, and then submit to the principle and experience a desired outcome. There is truth out there that I have not or cannot experience. The writers of scripture speak with great metaphor of things beyond the grave that cannot be known experientially. When asked to comment on those writings, I can say that the Christian faith has a heritage that believes life continues after this world. My longing for a better place or real justice allows me to find comfort in those writings. It does not mitigate my responsibility to help create a better place during my sojourn on earth. The Apostle Paul wrote that, we see through a glass darkly. The scriptures when used principally can help us bring light to a murky existence. In that sense they shape our faith in God.