Illiteracy in the Church?

I am concerned. Deeply concerned, actually. As I read emergent blogs, and hear about what some leaders are reported to have said at conferences and things, I am struck by the fact that the trend in the so-called "emergent conversation" is to take a low view of the Bible.

For 2000 years, it has been understood that the Bible is the very inspired word of God. God's story of God's intervention in human history - the history of the humanity that HE Himself created. 2Timothy 3, Hebrews 13 - other places - clearly indicate that this Book is what will guide us in belief and in faith and in practice.

So, if you disagree with the Bible, it isn't the Bible that's wrong. It's you.

Our understanding of certain issues may be adjusted as we learn more about the culture and language of the Bible. But none of the Apostles got it wrong in the Book. Ever. If you don't trust that, you don't trust God.

Need I remind you, dear reader, that He is all powerful? Do you really think He could not make sure that those men wrote what He wanted them to write? Do you really believe that the God of the universe could not make sure that the Word was preserved through the ages, and that He does not now guide the heartfelt seeker in understanding?

No! No! and No! again.

The Bible is the authority. If you throw it away, you throw away the rule, the measure, the standard that God Himself gave us.

So, not only should we not throw this book away, we should study it more, study it deeper, let it change how we think and act and believe, and let it help us become more and more like Jesus.

RevGals Friday Five - the Rookie Edition

This summer I discovered a web ring called "RevGalBlogPals." There are some intelligent, caring women - and men - whose blogs are a blessing to read.

I decided to participate in this weeks "Friday Five," a weekly meme, because it was kind of fun.

The meme begins here:

"In the coming days, I'll be meeting my creative/artistic role model--a singer-songwriter who has been a part of my spiritual journey for some 10 years now. I'm psyched!David Letterman used to have a feature on his show called "Brushes with Greatness." Members of the audience would share stories of encounters with famous people. And so...

1. Tell us about a time you met someone famous.

I worked as an usher at a summer stock theater when I was in high school, and I have been a regular attendee of concerts since then, because nothing beats live music. I have met Robert Goulet, Rita Moreno, Livingston Taylor, Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key, and Randy Stonehill.

2. Tell us about a celebrity you'd like to meet.

I would love to meet Michael W. Smith.

3. Tell us about someone great who's *not* famous that you think everyone oughta have a chance to meet.

Our worship pastor, one of my very dearest friends, and a man who personifies the word grace, Glen Boardman.

4. Do you have any autographs of famous people?

Yup - Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Liv Taylor.

5. If you were to become famous, what would you want to become famous for?

Singing or preaching.

Bonus: Whose 15 minutes of fame was up long, long ago?

Yeah...Tom Cruise, Angelina and Brad, and Paris Hilton.

One down...

...and about 41 left to go until summer vacation starts again. I feel like I have been hit by a truck as I have come through the first week of school. And it isn't over - I have a game tonight, and a practice tomorrow.

The most ehausting thing is being in charge all the time - being the one to make decisions, on whom the liability rests, with whom the buck stops. Add to that the forced absence from small group until November 7, and it is hard to keep the spiritual equilibrium I spent all summer regaining.

This life is hard. And it is hard every day to be like Jesus. I must count on God's strength to make it through. I know that He is here through all of the craziness, but it is so easy to forget that simple fact.

It's no accident that Adam and Eve's first day on earth was a day off.