Reading With Gospel Eyes: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Lately, I’ve been reading Eric Metaxas’ biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  I was struck to see how deeply his way of reading the Bible and listening for God shaped his life and actions.  Though a well-schooled and brilliant theologian in his own right, Bonhoeffer essentially rejected the critical methods of Bible study taught in his university and seminary classes.  The listening heart had been cultivated in him as child, by his mother and governesses, all of whom were trained and influenced by the life that flowed from the Herrnhutt revivals of the 1720’s that formed the Moravian church.  It sounds much like what I refer to as “reading with Gospel eyes.”

Reading With Gospel Eyes: The Spirit Speaking Through The Word

The Holy Spirit speaking in the Bible is the supreme judge of all religious controversies. - Westminster Confession of Faith – 1:10

Written in 1646, The Westminster Confession of Faith has been the recognized doctrinal standard for orthodox Presbyterians ever since.  As a pastor in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, I have affirmed that I “sincerely receive and adopt it as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.”  So what does it meant to listen for the Holy Spirit speaking in the Bible?

Just Assume You Don’t Get It

Just assume you don’t get “it.”  “It” being the Gospel of grace.

One of the most honest and important steps any person can take towards growing in Christ, is to simply accept the fact that you don’t really live by the Gospel.  Take that step in your thinking, and you will be open to repenting and then pursuing the Gospel.  Think that you “have got the gospel” and you will want to “move on” to whatever you think is next.  And in that, you step away from the Gospel.

Gospel Eyes: The Bible Isn't About Me

Through the years of ministry, many people have expressed appreciation for the "practical Bible teaching" they received from my ministry.  They meant it as a complement, and I always received it as such. In ways that I have only lately come to see though, much of what made my Bible teaching "practical" was simply instructing and exhorting people on particular behaviors.  It was "biblical" because the instructions had a Bible reference.

Without me realizing it, I had assumed that the Bible was about me. Or you.  Or our finances, or our family or the end times, or how we can have a relationship with God or any number of things that we needed to know or do.  Things other than - or maybe just in addition to - God and His Majesty, His love for all humanity and of course, the Gospel of His Grace.

Warning: Bible Reading Can Be Dangerous To Political Stereotypes

Nearly everyone I know has a Bible, in fact, usually several Bibles.  I also know a lot of people who believe that the Bible tells us what we need to know about God and life.  I know some people who even have pretty firm convictions about God and life with Bible verses to back them up.  But the number of people I know who actually read the Bible in a systematic way - reading regularly, reading full passages rather than just favorite verses, and reading to let God "speak" to their life in what they read - is actually fairly small.

No need to point the finger here.  Just look at how much of the Bible you have read without commentary in the past three days.

A recent article in Christianity Today, based on research by Baylor University and  LifeWay Research identified some unexpected outcomes on beliefs and behaviors for people who read the Bible regularly.  It's worth reading and pondering the entire article - Click Here To Do That - but here are some highlight statements I have gleaned from the larger article.

Unprepared to Meet the Real God

There is a vague childhood memory floating around in my head of a sign along the highway near my home outside Charlotte, NC that ominously declared: "Prepare To Meet Thy God."  It could bring on a vague sense of unease and judgement just riding past it.  I could picture an invisible god just behind it, angrily looking down his long nose with a frown and a face that said, "Now you are REALLY in trouble."  I would pedal on as hard as I could to get past it without getting struck by a lightening bolt.

Looking back, I realize that I wasn't sure what I was in trouble for with this god, but I clearly got the message that between who he was and who I was, there was nothing but disappointment and punishment.  I couldn't tell you why I was condemned, but I was certain somehow that I was, even if it seemed a bit unfair.

Church Discipline and the Cross

I’ve been thinking a lot about Church Discipline lately, and its not fun thinking.  I’m guessing that most of my unchurched friends would not know what I’m talking about if I brought it up in conversation.  A few of my church friends would know and speak of the importance of Church Discipline and need for more of it.  I suspect most churched people – like me – have experience with it and cringe.

Church Conflict and "Reading the Bible With Gospel Eyes"

I've been in ministry long enough now to have seen - and been part of - all the church conflict I need for a life time.  For many of my unbelieving friends, church conflict born of pettiness or self-righteousness is sufficient reason - in their minds, at least - to step back from anything church related.  I'm sympathetic, but not convinced.  Sadly, church conflict becomes for them the noise that drowns out the music of the Gospel of grace.

Glen Beck Through Gospel Eyes: My Two Cents

Wow!  So Glenn Beck is now passing out advice on where to go to church!  There are two things that I'd like to say about that.

Gospel Eyes and Violence in the Bible - A Reflection on Jihad, Herem and NPR

This week NPR aired a segment meant to compare the levels of violence advocated by the Bible and the Quaran.  Click here to read and listen.  In it, a Penn State professor named Philip Jenkins focuses on the Old Testament practice of herem, the practice of total destruction of people groups as Israel enters the land or faces an enemy people.  Professor Jenkins refers to it as genocide and makes the case on these grounds that the violence of the Bible is of a wholly different nature - genocide rather than self-defense - and degree than the violence of the Quaran - jihad in particular.

Interesting.  Frankly, I think he is wrong on many levels and agree with Andrew Bostom who takes him to task in the NPR segment.  I was struck though by a particular point of difference I would have with Professor Jenkins' contention.  And it is about how the Bible is meant to be read and understood.

The Story and the Song - Chpt. 1

This is a remarkably subtle statement regarding the doctrine of revelation with real importance for how we read the Bible.  And so well written that a kindergartner can get the idea!

Every Story Whispers His Name - Intro

Full Disclosure Statement: I make NO money on the following endorsement:

Go purchase “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  (Amazon.com  or Christian Book Distributors)  Find an excuse to read it to children.  Give it away as a gift.  Use it in classes you teach.  Most of all though, take the time to read it yourself.

I’m reading it one chapter per week to my entire congregation during the Worship Service!  Sort of an odd twist on the “Lessons” of liturgical churches.  And each week, I intend to post some reflections on the chapter I’ve just read to Christ Covenant.