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The Text: The Story We Find Ourselves In
There are those that I have met who make claims like, "The Bible is the truth. It is a historical book for historical peoples. It is not meant for today's culture." When I think of those who have made statements like this they fail to realize the kind of truth that we find in the Text. The Text contains God's story throughout human history.
If we have placed God on a shelf and forgotten about Him or believe that He has set the world in motion and left us to spin on this green earth without any interaction then I would expect us to believe that the Bible's story is merely a recording of true events throughout the ages but not today. On the contrary, if we understand God to be deeply involved with us and bringing about a reconciliation through the finished work of His Son on the cross then we should expect the Text to be something that we live today.
What do I mean by this? As we read the stories of God acting on behalf of His people climaxing with the Son becoming flesh and living, dying, and rising again as the True Israelite, we see ourselves in that same story today. Today, I have experienced death as one who is in Adam. Today, I experience God's powerful deliverance from bondage in sin to new life in the promised land just as the Israelites were delivered by the mighty finger of God from Egypt. Today, I am strengthen by the Spirit to live as Jesus lived in faithfulness to God's law. Today, I am called by Jesus to follow Him just as the disciples were on that fateful day on the shores of the Galilee.
You see, the story I find myself in is God's story. I desire to align myself with His Story and see the Kingdom of God come about in my life and the story I am living. If Jesus is King of the Universe and reigns at the right hand of the father then we are called to triumphal procession for the King. The King is on the throne. We must live our lives in submission and service to the King.
We hail you as King, Lord Jesus. Bring your Kingdom today in our lives and the story we find ourselves in. As you taught us to pray, "Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."
"believe that He has set the world in motion and left us to spin on this green earth without any interaction then I would expect us to believe that the Bible's story is merely a recording of true events throughout the ages but not today"
I think the reason so many people buy into this belief, or deism as it is called, is because it absolved the individual from responsibility for himself. It means there is (was) a higher order, but now there is not and I am free to be me. It is the ultimate gospel of self centered self fulfilling direction.
So much is made of the faith of our founding fathers and that they were diests. SOME of them were diests, but Ben Franklin and company most definitely were not. Even if they were it is a thin arguement at best, but I am getting off topic.
Posted by: Carl Holmes | January 20, 2006 09:18 PM
Amen and Amen. I don't consider it "happenstance" that the unfolding of human activity on this planet is called "History," for it is truly all His Story, from beginning to end. His Word is His gift to us -- that we may truly learn how to rise above events that seem to be beyond human control and hold on to the Kingdom truth that our lives and our story can be under His control. History becomes a story of the past, but His Story has no end. Praise God!
Posted by: Mary Wright | January 27, 2006 09:32 AM
Mary, Great thoughts. Praise be to God who is weaving us into His Story.
Posted by: B.A. | January 27, 2006 03:42 PM