Tag Archives: Truth

We understand the bible as our source of truth – G*d speaks to us through scripture.

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 12, 2016
Tags: Truth,   

Distortion, Disclosure or Discovery? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

 

January 12, 2016

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Genesis 1:1-5

In the beginning of everything G-d spoke existence into being – if G-d spoke it, it happened. This is our teaching about the beginning of things, all things. I am not going to spend time debating the creation story as either history or theology, G-d created all things and how G-d accomplished that is only known by G-d. Debating evolution vs. creationism is not my thing – G-d’s Word is my thing. So, one of the questions that might be swimming around in your mind as you read G-d’s word might be something like this: “If I am to believe G-d’s word, that it abides above all things and still speaks to our world today, then don’t I have to accept it all just as it appears in the “Good Book”?

Let’s begin to unravel this mystery by thinking about all writing. Any book, including the bible, written by the human hand, is compromised by the sterility of the moment in time it was written. If a 17th century novel speaks to the world view, it speaks to a 17th century understanding of that world view. The bible is no exception to this understanding. In their world view, G-d controlled the weather, the seas were inhabited by evil of all kinds, and disabilities and calamities were divinely caused. In trying to understand the world around them, they used the oral and eventually written form of “story” to help explain who they were, from whence they came, and how G-d was present in their lives.

As you continue to read the bible there will be questions that crop up in your minds – questions like “Did donkeys actually talk 3000 years ago?” and “If Adam and Eve only had three sons, who did they marry to procreate the earth?”

This is one of the reasons that beginnings are so exciting – because you never know what is coming next, and you better have a highlighter and a pen and paper next to you as you read so you can mark up verses and list your questions. You just cannot fathom the things you will read as you continue your bible reading. You see, I believe the bible is still a book of truth, same as it was yesterday, it is today, and it will be tomorrow. The words in this book still speak to the capacities and incapacities of human existence and behavior. For example, read the story about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah:

“By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens.” (Genesis 19:23)

Which is true: “G-d sent fire and burning sulfur to rain down from the sky to destroy it because it was a depraved city”…or, “Fire and sulfur rained down from the sky, and because no one could determine why this happened, the story was embellished to explain their destruction, and it just so happened there was sexual depravity practiced in their cities, and wouldn’t G-d frown on this behavior?”

In other words, if fire and rocks rained down on a city somewhere in the world today, we could see the meteor or question why someone would live at the foot of a volcano. And yet, some would still blame it on divine retribution. But the depravity of the sexual crimes against a visitor or visitors, which we still see rape used as an act of war around the world today, still shock and disgust us. So the use of sex acts as a means of torture, of humiliation, and depravity were frowned upon in the bible, and we still frown upon them today.

So, as you begin to encounter such stories in the bible, listen for the truth that stands in front, or behind, the story. Time will expand our horizons – but the truth that G-d intends for all to hear are timeless.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 10, 2016
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Humble Beginnings — Rev. David J. Schreffler

                               January 10, 2016

One of the most powerful and astounding things to me about the Christmas story is the incredible humility of Mary and Joseph. Not only the humility they demonstrated, but the trust they put in G-d. This humility is confirmed and continued by the life of their baby, Jesus. Jesus never fought for position or fame. Rather, He continually baffled His followers by laying down His right to be lauded and honored. The story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus fleeing to Egypt simply confirms their trust, and their humility.

In addition to being a wonderful reminder of God’s amazing gift to us, the Christmas story also points to the kind of self-surrender and humility we are called to walk in as Christ’s followers. If the 1st century version of the “first family” is willing to leave everything as directed by G-d, is willing to listen and discern all that G-d puts in front of them, then shouldn’t we be willing to walk the same path? And how will we know what G-d calls us to do if we do not know what G-d directs through       G-d’s word? This culture constantly pushes us to fight for our rights, demand respect, know who you are and be confident in your identity. If then we call ourselves Christians, we better know what Christ says if we are to live our lives “In Christ”, which is counter to what our society demands. Instead of striving to be noticed and appreciated, we are to take an entirely different posture into every area of our lives, one of humility and self-denial. Whether we are recognized and applauded or disregarded and overlooked, it should make no difference to us. If we want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we will need to know how he lived, and how he calls us to live.

Paul reminds us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. . . . Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God . . . made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. . . (Phil. 2:3-8). In other words, we do not read the bible so we can prove to others we know more, but so that we can prove to ourselves that we are aware of what it means to live “In Christ”.

In 2016, we are embarking on a quest of knowledge – to better understand G-d’s will for your life and for mine. Instead of fighting for your own recognition, chose the lowest place – the place of a humble servant – a humble servant who desires to know the word of G-d both on paper, and through the life of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave