Perspective-2.0
Some years ago I had to come up with a definition of "scripture" that made sense to me. The old standard "The Bible, cover to cover" no longer fits anything I believe. Besides, the Bible is a location. Not a definition. Paul wrote to Timothy that "all scripture is God breathed and is useful,,," 2 Tim 3:16. Now that is a good definition. Anything that God breaths out. Here's the rub. It doesn't tell you where it's all at. Evangelicals assume that it's in the Bible and ONLY in the Bible. But nowhere does God say "Ok, I'm gonna stop talking to anyone,,,NOW." I know the arguments for how the Bible is the only true scripture, heck, I used to make those arguments. Used all the proof texts that all good evangelicals use. I just did what I have done for years. I started asking questions. And I got some answers.
First of all, God is not in any way limited to what a bunch of scholars, monks and scribes could ever agree on. What happens is we can see where this leads us and it is frightening. Mostly because this takes God out of really, really smart peoples control. Anyone that God speaks to is bound by what they are told. So there is balance. God may speak to a regular guy like me and that is binding. God may speak to a highly educated and inteligent person such as DLW, and that is binding. God could even speak to my multiply handicaped daughter, with profound mental retardation, and that is binding. The trick for me is to not try to bind what God tells me on anyone else. Maybe just share it as something beyond what we think we know and inspire others to try listening to God himself and not simply what we have been told is the word of God. By my definition, any word God says IS the word of God and I don't think He is done talking quite yet. Nor is He pickey about whom He talks to.
I don't suggest we run out and burn our Bibles(or any other sacred writings). Just listen. Still your soul. To me that means to quit concerning myself with everything in this world for a little bit and seek out God. Not to tell God what to do. He's not my errand boy. Not to tell Him who to heal. He's not my personal doctor. And not to tell Him to give me some goodies. He's not my piggy bank. But simply to make myself available to Him. To tell me whatever He wants to tell me. To task me to anything He wants me to do. In my opinion, an infinite God has infinite resorces for communication and not just one. Maybe in a movie, I'll find scripture or in a news story or from the mouth of a non-believer. You just never know where it will come from next.
Like I said, it is kind of scarey. The fear of being wrong is a powerful deterant. But I don't believe God ever said "be affraid, be very affraid. Cause I'm checking to see if you are wrong, and boy if you are, I'm gonna get you." I do have some basic rules that keep me from making too much stuff up(no amount of rules can completly stop me, but I do ok). Now for my disclaimer. I donnot presume to be wiser or more capable than anyother person. I have my conclutions but they are subject to change(and most of them have).
Fred
First of all, God is not in any way limited to what a bunch of scholars, monks and scribes could ever agree on. What happens is we can see where this leads us and it is frightening. Mostly because this takes God out of really, really smart peoples control. Anyone that God speaks to is bound by what they are told. So there is balance. God may speak to a regular guy like me and that is binding. God may speak to a highly educated and inteligent person such as DLW, and that is binding. God could even speak to my multiply handicaped daughter, with profound mental retardation, and that is binding. The trick for me is to not try to bind what God tells me on anyone else. Maybe just share it as something beyond what we think we know and inspire others to try listening to God himself and not simply what we have been told is the word of God. By my definition, any word God says IS the word of God and I don't think He is done talking quite yet. Nor is He pickey about whom He talks to.
I don't suggest we run out and burn our Bibles(or any other sacred writings). Just listen. Still your soul. To me that means to quit concerning myself with everything in this world for a little bit and seek out God. Not to tell God what to do. He's not my errand boy. Not to tell Him who to heal. He's not my personal doctor. And not to tell Him to give me some goodies. He's not my piggy bank. But simply to make myself available to Him. To tell me whatever He wants to tell me. To task me to anything He wants me to do. In my opinion, an infinite God has infinite resorces for communication and not just one. Maybe in a movie, I'll find scripture or in a news story or from the mouth of a non-believer. You just never know where it will come from next.
Like I said, it is kind of scarey. The fear of being wrong is a powerful deterant. But I don't believe God ever said "be affraid, be very affraid. Cause I'm checking to see if you are wrong, and boy if you are, I'm gonna get you." I do have some basic rules that keep me from making too much stuff up(no amount of rules can completly stop me, but I do ok). Now for my disclaimer. I donnot presume to be wiser or more capable than anyother person. I have my conclutions but they are subject to change(and most of them have).
Fred
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