When the Bible Fails to Reveal the Word and Words of God

I was recently asked if I believe that the Bible is “the Word of God.”  Although I am a minister, I am not often asked questions about biblical authority.  My guess is that people either assume that, yes, of course I believe the Bible is the Word of God or, knowing my educational background, they fear I would offer an insufferably pedantic explanation for my position.  Let me say first that I am not a biblical scholar.  My doctoral concentration was in Religion and Social Change, and my coursework focused on theology and social ethics from the perspective of historically marginalized groups.  Nevertheless, I will attempt to answer the question while avoiding a simplistic rendering on the one hand and an exhaustingly long and esoteric explanation on the other.

The authority of the writings found in what Christians often refer to as the Old and New Testaments has been debated throughout history.  The early Church did not have the privilege of reading the New Testament in the ways it is now accessible to us.  The gospels circulated to various groups largely based on their particular context (Matthew was written with a Jewish audience in mind, while Luke was written with a Gentile audience in mind).  Some of Paul’s letters were written as circular letters, and others were written to particular faith communities addressing specific concerns.  In fact, several of Paul’s letters were likely written under the pseudonym of Paul, but with no less authority.  Even since the New Testament was arranged in its current canonical form, there has been some debate as to which books are authoritative and which ones are not.  For instance, Martin Luther insisted that the book of James was an “epistle of straw” because of James’ emphasis on faith and works (“Faith . . . without works is dead” 2:17).  Luther was concerned to emphasize the Pauline understanding of salvation by grace alone, i.e., “For by grace you have been saved . . . not the result of works” (Ephesians 2:8).  Again, there has been no single understanding of what constitutes the Bible as the “Word of God.”

For me, Jesus is the normative lens through which I read both the Bible and other religious and political literature.  He is the “canon,” taken from the Greek word that means “measuring rod” or “rule.”    As I read scripture in both the Hebrew and Christian testaments, however, I do not see every word, phrase, or book as equally authoritative with the wisdom and teachings of Jesus.  Jesus himself said, “I know it has been said . . . , but I say . . .” (Matt. 5).  Paul was quick to remind readers that “. . . now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.  Now I (Paul!) know only in part; then I will know fully . . .” (1 Cor. 13:12).  In that very context, though, he says that “Love never ceases [ends, fails]” (13:1) and that the greatest gift known to humanity is love (13:13). 

“God is love,” the writer of 1 John insists. 

Make no mistake, this is no touchy-feely, sentimental kind of emotional bosh; rather, love, properly understood, is the most powerful force in the universe.  It has the power to transform enemies into friends, and it can transform the world if we are willing to co-operate with God and one another in the fulfillment of God’s loving purposes.  Love is revealed in the cross in that it demonstrates the length to which God will go to reconcile estranged humanity – estranged from God, one another, and even within our own selves. 

For me, then, the love that Jesus embodied, taught, and demonstrated is the norm by which I interpret scripture.  Where the Bible speaks of love, it speaks the Word and words of God.  Where it does not witness to love it fails to reveal the Word and words of God. 

Now, in my experience, the ones who are concerned with how I interpret scripture, although it is usually phrased as a general question, have a more specific concern in mind.  It is rarely the case that people are interested in my reading of scripture and how it informs my understanding of Jesus’ tendency toward pacifism, Jesus’ self-identification with those who are excluded, or Jesus’ strong caution directed at the rich in a world where far too many of God’s children live in abject poverty.  Despite the inattention the Word incarnate gave to matters of sexuality, what many want to know when they ask me about the authority of the Bible is where I stand on homosexuality.

Sexuality is complex.  I do not pretend to have a comprehensive understanding of sexuality.  I do believe, though, that there are unhealthy expressions of sexuality by those who self-identify as heterosexual, as well as by those who consider themselves homosexual.  And, I believe that there are many who are genuinely committed to covenant relationships that are grounded in agape love among those within straight and LGBTQ communities.

So where do I come down on the issue?  As I do with every other issue, on the side of love.  I believe God loves all of God’s children without respect to race, nationality, creed, or sexual orientation.   I believe Paul sometimes got it wrong in matters related to the church and the world – the role of women in the home and in ministry, and his instructions to those suffering the plight of slavery.  And, since I have been asked to clarify where I stand on one of the most emotionally charged issues within and without the church, I believe Paul overstepped with his pronouncements on sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular.  His words, interpreted as the Word and words of God, have too often been used to inflict suffering on those in the LGBTQ community.

This is my position.  I do not ask everyone to agree with me.  I only ask others to respect and honor my sincere and profound commitment to interpreting the Bible as faithfully as possible.  And for those who disagree with me, fear not.  As someone who is painfully aware of my fallibility, I dropped the stones I might have been tempted to throw at those with whom I disagree a long time ago.