Dear Trekker,
I was reading recently in First Corinthians, finishing the book in Chapter 16. Suddenly the book turned somewhat mundane, yet practical and I wondered to myself…how does inspiration fit in with the proclivities of the day in which the Apostle Paul was simply writing to a local church he had planted some years before.
Aware of the many interpretations of the inspiration of the Scriptures (i.e. inerrancy, infallibility, etc.), I was reminded of the phrase “one can’t see the forest for the trees.” (A little research reveals this phrase has been attributed to Sir Thomas More who was beheaded by Henry the VIII, one who surely did not see the forest among the trees of 16th century English challenges to the relationship of church and state.) Nuff on that!
Now the Bible (literally “books”) is an amazing book. It has one author, God the Holy Spirit, but many, many writers. Hence, it is God’s (His) story, or history to and of mankind. Scripture itself, through the writings of St. Peter and St. Paul, speaks to this intimate relationship between Author and writer, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:21). Paul is even more illustrative to Timothy: “All Scripture is God breathed” (II Tim 3:16). God expels Scripture through human penmanship. It is His story, a narrative, love story, not primarily a rule book by a divine autocrat.
If anything describes the somewhat erratic history of the Christian church, the meaning of inspiration surely does. Depending on how we understand inspiration, we apply such interpretation to the understanding of Divine intent. It is so easy to get bogged down in the trees of legal rote and miss the Divine storyline.
The Bible is God’s story of love for mankind, and how this story is being unfolded since the beginning of time, as we know it (Genesis 1:1) until the end of time (Revelation) as we live it. But the story of God’s love is paramount, not “how we got the Bible, is it accurate, is it true, etc.” Higher and lower critics of Scripture unconsciously use secondary tactics which lead one away from the real message of love and God’s initiative to redeem and restore man to a rightful relationship with his Creator, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. Yes, inspiration is an intriguing axle, easy to get wrapped around, and confuse the message of Love.
It has been this way from the beginning of time. What God says, is! It is loving, true, and always holy – because He, his nature, is truth, love, and holy. When we refer to God only as omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (always present, beyond time and space), we cheat God. He is all three, but he is also true, holy and love. Such is His nature, and His word always reflects his nature! The Bible can therefore be trusted as a true, holy expression of His love. This is the core meaning of inspiration of Scripture. Miss this and you miss it all, bogged down in the weeds.
How important are the details of how we got the Bible? Somewhat relevant, but not so as to obscure or diminish the storyline! “God so loved the world (fallen and out of step with Him) that He gave His One and Only Son that whosoever (you, me and all who have ever lived) believes in Him, will not perish (die eternally), but have eternal life!” (I like the term forever life.) Why quote John 3:16? It simply is the best, succinct story line, the gist of all Scripture!
I recall a book I read some 50 years ago, The Battle for the Bible by Harold Lindsell, a fellow Wheaton graduate, early editor of Christianity Today, a renowned Christian leader of his time. Reflecting on it, frankly, I am a bit sad. There is no battle then or now for the Bible! The Bible is God’s story of love for man, made in His image. You believe the story or you don’t! You believe and act upon its account and precepts, or you ignore it as poppycock and irrelevant. “Lost in trespasses and sin” is a Biblical phrase for an unbeliever. The halcyon cry is always, for all time, does one believe and seek to live God’s story of love, redemption, and empowerment in earth life. Simple, straightforward! It is what it is!
This conflict concerning the meaning of inspiration is nothing new! In Jesus’ time, the Pharisees were the culprit, wound around the axel. They missed the love story of Jesus. Jesus said to them, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think by them (keeping the rules), you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. Oh the truth of, “come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest! (Matthew 11:28). Misunderstanding the love story of God (the Bible) has been around since the beginning in the garden!
So back to I Corinthians 16! If you haven’t read it, trekker, read it now! Is it inspired by God the Holy Spirit! Of course. Every word of it! Is it applicable, every word of it, today? Of course not. It is an important writing by Paul as he applied God’s love story in an early church. It is full of common sense, loving phrases one would expect according to context. Only two verses seem to transcend time and context. They pop out to the reader, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong (in the power of His might); do everything in love (v.13, 14). These challenges are a clear part of transmitting accurately the “love story” of God throughout history! These five things are admonitions, inspiration if you will, which simply describe how the love story is to be lived.
Remember, trekker, Jesus said, all the commandments can be reduced to two (Matthew 22:37-40): “Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments!” All in Scripture means all!
The love story must be believed and carried out in all our dealings with each other! The world then and today dwells in anger, distrust, hate, disillusionment and denial. Some things do not change. Apart from His love, believed and acted upon in His power, we are all lost souls.
And as believers in the inspiration of the Book, trekker, let’s make the main thing – God’s love story – the main thing! If so, we will automatically inspire others to do the same! Let’s be like Jesus in our dealings with all people! Then the “great commission” and the “great commandment” will be one and the same…the forever old, old story of Jesus and His love!
Your trekker friend,
Jim Meredith
