“If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” Is.8.20 ESV
Much debate continues between liberal and conservative Christians about the nature and place of the Bible in our lives. Some say it is God’s word, others, say it only contains God’s word. Those who hold to the latter have the challenge of deciding which parts are God’s word, to be believed and practiced and, those which are not and therefore to be dismissed. The former have the challenge reconciling all the tensions that exist in understanding the Bible, as well as distinguishing what is absolute and unchanging and what is merely cultural or tied to a passing economy and therefore subject to change. Now while I do believe that there are vital differences between these views, I am not writing here to espouse one view or the other but to make a simple observation. Do you see that both groups wind up sifting the Scriptures to determine what God would have us believe and practice today? What lies in the heart of the sifting process for both groups is the belief that God Himself is guiding us, just as He has in every generation. Of course, the problem has never been with His perfect guidance but with our flawed application of it. The essence of our hope liberal and conservative is not only do we need God’s help, we are assured that we have it that underneath it all are the Everlasting Arms to superintend all human weakness and preserve His own until the end. 12/5/2008 ts