When I turn on my radio, it strikes me every time, how similar are all my stations. Some christian songs sound like a boyfriend/girlfriend situation and some secular songs sound spiritual and worshipful, which gets me thinking…
There is, and has been for decades, a split, a disunion, within the church body over how contemporary to make our worship services. With both conservative and liberal camps firmly planted with scripture for tie-downs, the battle rages on with no end in sight and often, no God either. Yes, it’s very possible to argue with scripture while abandoning God. If you’ve ever seen a bible-shaking, sandwich-sign-wearing, scream-at-everyone-who-passes-by preacher…then you know what I’m talking about.
Prepare to have a heart attack, get the aspirin ready, and take a seat.
Scripture is not enough.
Put the pitchfork down, stow your torches, and bear with me. Scripture is essential, but it can not replace God. Our problem is that most Christians can’t differentiate reading the bible from having a relationship with God. Some people have challenged lives and never learned to read. Some languages have yet to receive a bible translation. Are these now made incapable of a relationship with Christ? Is the entirety of the identity, wisdom, and heart of God really encased in a book shorter than most novel series?
Knowing the bible, even memorizing every word, could not make you a follower of Jesus.
Richard Dawkins is a very brilliant man who knows more about the bible, Jesus, and the history than almost any christian I know, including some pastors. He is also a renown atheist and anti-religion activist, especially Christianity. He uses scripture to contest Christianity. He uses scripture to fight God, and when we stand and use scriptures to argue over something so stupid as a stylistic preference, we too are using scripture to fight God.
Anyone who brings about a disunion, based in a personal preference, is missing something.
Jesus’ greatest wish was to leave a holy and unified people. Anyone who picks out and uses scripture to support their personal preference is missing something. When there is a disconnect and scripture supports both sides, we are missing something. That something is the spirit of God, who guides and gives us wisdom beyond simple text, and who is often brushed aside for the comforts of the tangible words.