Hi
Stephen, (his post below)
I am
unwilling to enter into the sexuality stuff on this list - it has certainly not
proved to be a safe place - but I would like to comment on the
Bible...
My
ears pricked up at Bandy when he talked about Declining Churches focussing on
Biblical Literacy and Thriving Churches focussing on Biblical
Conversancy...
What?
(we all said - groaning inwardly because NSW-ACT Synod has as one of its
Priority Goals to develop Biblical Literacy...)
Of
recent months, I have been shocked to discover that attenders from "Bible-based"
and "Bible-believing" Congregations are less likley to engage in Bible Study. (I
can hear everyone being shocked at my naivity over the ether.) When we do get an
opportunity to talk about the Bible, I find that usually it is a pretty one
sided conversation - they are asking questions and expecting me to give answers
- which I cannot (I am not that much of a Bible Scholar nor am I willing to
impose personal opinion and pretend to pass it off as doctrine because of my
position) - so, I often answer in questions (learnt that one from JC!) - and ask
for the privilege of studying a few passages together.
The
amazing thing is that when people do this they get surprised that they
are allowed to make new insights. Some clergy have convinced some of
these people that the only "new insights" come out of biblical
scholarship in Halls and Colleges. When people are encouraged to be transformed
by the new things they will discover, they find that the purpose of Biblical
engagement is changing and being challenged. The Bible requires us to constantly
change our stance and standards... God may not change (interpret that if you
want a new line) but people should!
(I
wonder what would happen if this group engaged in some biblical conversation?
Maybe not starting with an angle and trying to find a passage to support
it - as much of the sexuality debate has done - but joining in the
spiritual discipline of regular encounter with scripture. How? Maybe even to try
to include a passage or text that is influencing your state of being as you
write???)
For
me, as usual, I find myself in the book of Joshua and the story of Rahab (Ch.2,
6). Being Synod staff is a bit like being in the wall of Jericho -
there seems to be conflict between two parties - but there are lots of confusing
and conflicting issues...
- is anyone right or just?
- who will win?
- how will the conflict be enacted - and do we expect miracles?
- what is the role of the Rahabs in the wall? (yeah, yeah - snigger, snigger)
- where is God in all this? ... and is God's will clear - to some and not to others? (it seems that few people on either side really had any idea what was going on at Jericho)
- will Jericho survive but always be cursed?
Don't
you just love the way we keep turning to verses for trite answers, but when we
engage with the big OT things - IT IS RELEVANT!
Have
fun.
-
Amelia
YW Amelia
Koh-Butler
Associate Director ELM (Education
for Mission)
Board of
Education
- NSW Synod
Uniting Church in Australia
16
Masons Drive, North Parramatta NSW
Ph: 0427 955
157
Email:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Stephen posted:So has the discussion/will always the discussion degenerate to:
A: Look, you just have to understand and accept that I think you are an ignorant sinner.
B: No, you just have to understand and accept that I think you are an ignorant sinner.
A: No, you just have to understand and accept that I think you are an ignorant sinner.
B: No, you just have to understand and accept that I think you are an ignorant sinner.
A: No, you just have to understand and accept that I think you are an ignorant sinner.
B: No, you just have to understand and accept that I think you are an ignorant sinner.
A: No, you just have to understand and accept that I think you are an ignorant sinner.
B: Okay, you mightn't be ignorant but you are a sinner.
A: Huh, we're all sinners bucko, but you are really ignorant.
B: Am not.
A: Are too.
Yawn.
Like Tom says, where's the love in that?
If you've reached this far, try this on for size ...
If this debate is all about how people read and understand the Bible, as opposed to the specific problem of what people of the same sex do with their reproductive bits, and whether they're then sutiable to preach at us, then why aren't people demanding change or threatening to walk out because of that understanding of the Bible? Yes, well, they sort of are now, but still not directly.
Like, if we can tolerate worshipping in the same denomination or building or with an ordained minister who looks upon the Bible a bit differently, or fundamentally differently, then wouldn't we have to accept the corollary of that, even if it included, say, their certain restrictions or permissiveness about what people did with their reproductive bits in private? Is it about the Bible or is it about sex? If it's about the Bible, shouldn't we stop picking on homosexual folk; because, really, those few passages aren't even the tip of the iceberg of interpretation we differ over.
And if it's not about the Bible ...
but you probably haven't read this far.
Stephen
