Did I get your attention?  Good.

It is a dangerous thing when we open the Bible and begin to read, for in and through these words, written and translated by many different people throughout the ages, God in fact speaks to us and does something to and with us.  This book, this Word of God, both kills us and gives us life.  Hence the whole “danger” thing.

Which makes me so glad that there are five adult small groups, risking the “dangers” of the Bible, gathering together each month for Bible study.  They are learning about different characters and stories of the Bible, or looking deeply at one book of the Bible, or learning more about a particular theme that runs throughout the Bible.  All of which, I hope, is helping them grow in their understanding of what God is trying to tell them and do to them, both as individuals and as a group.  And not only in their understanding of what God has said and done in the past, but more importantly what God is saying and doing today to draw people into a faith relationship with Jesus Christ.

On Sunday, Dec. 6, we began the first of our series on “How Lutherans Interpret the Bible,” as part of our church’s process to study and discuss the Biblical texts at the center of the controversy over the ELCA resolutions.  And I am grateful that so many people attended the first session, and hopefully will follow through on all of the rest.   Or, if people are not able to attend on Sundays, that they sign up to attend the Thursday classes starting in mid-January (sign up at the info desk!).

It is hard work, and risky, when we gather together to discuss both how different people approach and understand the Bible.  It becomes even more challenging and risky, when we have clarified in our own mind and heart, to then begin to share how we approach and understand the Bible.  The ante goes up further when we listen and hear other Christians who have a different approach and understanding of the Bible, which leads them to interpret things differently from ourselves.  As if that doesn’t cause people to faint with trepidation, God promises to show up in our dialog and discussion, to say to us exactly what God wants to say to all of us, and, as often happens, transform all of our understandings to bring us closer to God’s will and heart.  As Mark Allen Powell reminds us, the Bible gives us Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God!

For those who wish to go a little deeper in pondering questions related to our interpretations and approaches to the Bible I strongly recommend this article by Prof. Walter Brueggemann on Biblical Authority and the Church.  It is well worth the slow, careful read.