Because the Bible is a theological book, it is a book of wrestlings, not a book of answers. In each age the people have to struggle to hear the word of the Lord for their time. . .
These words, and those below, are from The Dream of God by Verna Dozier, an African-American theologian who tirelessly advocated for a revival of the ministry of all of the baptized through biblical education.
The Anglican collect for Bible study, which in the liturgical calendar comes close to the end of the season after Pentecost, speaks very eloquently of the church’s approach to Bible study:
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learnings: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ.
. . . God did not write the scriptures; human beings wrote the scriptures. But the faith expressed by the collect is that God caused them to be written for our learning. I find that word exciting beyond the telling—what a word to choose! Not for our inspiration. They may inspire, but that is not the purpose as the distinguished Anglican who wrote the collect saw it. Not for our guidance. We may find guidance there, but that is not the purpose of their being written. Not for our comfort, although we may be comforted and strengthened by the sacred history.
They are written for our learning. There is something we need to learn, and the only place we can find the subject matter for that learning is in the Bible. We need to know the story, the story the Bible—and only the Bible—tells.
If these words from Ms. Dozier speak to the hunger within your heart, you might consider joining the St. James’ EfM group, which will reconvene next September. For more information, seek out the co-facilitators of the group, De Sellers (desellerslpc@gmail.com) and Pam Beachley (pam@pambeachleylaw.com).
