One of the hallmarks of any Lenten Journey is a devotion to Scripture. Jesus no longer walks this earth, the Scriptures are all we have. While we know that the Scriptures are fraught with agenda driven translations, mistranslations and omissions, we also know that the word of God is there. The message of God's love comes through and there are intentional messages however marred by human hands.
Yesterday on an LGBTQ Facebook page, someone chose to admonish everyone that the Bible clearly states that God created male and female and no other brands or varieties are noted. It is right there for us to read. I am certain that is not the truth of the matter. Yes, that is what Genesis says but are we to take that literally? Isn't the book of Genesis with it's own clear contradictions more of a notation of the truth that God created the world. Genesis puts it down in a way the human mind can grasp it. The truth is a wee bit more complex. To find the real depth of the truth, we must look at our created world, the world that beams and glistens with evidence of God in every nook and cranny. Ancient man could understand only so much. Would they understand the concept of the Big Bang? Muons? Mesons? Quarks? How about cells and molecules? I think Genesis is just right for a godly generalization. If we look into the world God created, we see that homosexuality is not an aberration but a common feature. There are even creations that exhibit the qualities of both male and female in one! The world we see is quite telling and diverse. It is no less a valued tool in the witness of God's creation and love.
Why am I going into such detail to seemingly diminish the value of Scripture? When Scripture is all we have, we are best to make the best use of it. We are well advised to make sure we understand it flaws, corrections and limitations. I often note the story of the Roman Centurion who sought out Jesus to cure his "pais". We have come to know that word pais as meaning a slave or servant. It isn't necessarily so. An agenda driven translation seems to omit the rather strong possibility that "pais" in the vernacular of the time actually referred to the subordinate same sex lover which was a very common practice of the times. It doesn't translate to rape victim or pedophile but same sex lovers, partners. Clearly, this "pais" was very much loved by his partner or else the Centurion would not be seeking out this itinerant Jewish preacher to cure his sick 'buddy'. I mention this so you can see how translations matter, how agendas matter, how context matters. Biblical scholarship is not a subject to be taken lightly.
One of the first things that strikes me for this Lent is my attentiveness to how I read and learn about the passages I am reading. There are trusted sources and translations which we should all have and be comfortable with. Personally, I think the kings english is probably a translation considerably far from the truth or at least fraught with numerous translational and agenda driven errors.
How can we trust what we are reading?! Is the world upside down? How are we to read Scripture and know what the truth is? I have a reference library at my disposal. Trusted sources and translations in many different books and references. I am not going to trust Fox News to give me a revealing truth about a passage that is certain. If I google something I am not going with a source whose agenda promotes hate or ignorance. Is that redundant?
This Lent, as I am reading passages, I want to realize for myself that "I" am not the unerring word of God. "I" am not the ultimate reference source and do not have the final word.
The Bible is set of books unto itself that speaks to us. We must read it carefully for sure. Scripture speaks to us at different points in our life, the Spirit revealing a different message from the same passage at another point in our life. The Spirit is sort of funny that way. In this way not only is translation important but we must never forget that the word of God and the Spirit are still very much alive.
Do we still think that the Bible condones slavery? Has the Spirit helped us see that such practices are contrary to God's love of all Her creation? Here's another one for you, do you realize that the life of the Apostles and the church ( Acts ) was more like a commune. Super right "Christians" rail against Socialism but the early church lived more like a commune, everything held for the common good ( Acts 2:44 ) What do our Christian values and the Spirit say to us about our wealth and the need of our brothers and sisters?
Read carefully. Read slowly. Meditate on the words and their meanings and what the Spirit is telling us, calling us to do and how to live. I pray that I will seek out as much information as I can and not be as certain or self righteous about the meaning of words written down by man even when it is done so in the name of God.
For our Lenten journey and the Word of God, I pray.
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