At heart of discussions is the Bible

There is no question about it. Christianity is in a great state of flux. The diversity that came out of the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago is minor compared to the upheaval that is now taking place. An incredible free flow of information and opinions has been implemented by Internet communication systems. However, no matter the volume of information and opinion, the Bible remains at the center of the discussions and arguments of religion and of Christianity in particular.

In the Protestant Reformation the most dramatic change took place in the defining of religious authority. In the process the Bible became the authority that replaced an all-knowing and all powerful papacy. For the past 500 years the Bible has been the written authority that has guided the life of non-Roman Catholic church life. The Bible has been the constant in all theological discussions. Bishops, church leaders, and theologians came and disappeared, but the Bible was still there. The Bible is the link to the roots of the faith. The Bible is the link to Jesus, the Christ of Christian faith.

The generally held understanding of the Bible is that it is a HOLY book. Christians speak of the inspired writings. The councils that approved the content of the Bible are seen as special tools in the hands of God. The Bible is seen as something different from any other book written. It is the word of God. The authors were protected from error. The Bible is held to be without error.

In our information age, this understanding of the Bible as a holy book is being seriously challenged.

Bible scholarship has moved out from under the umbrella of church and church-controlled institutions. In our new era, scholarly works about the Bible are very likely to be written by professors, who teach at state universities and have no commitment to the Bible as a holy book.

Without the protection of creeds and churches, the Bible stands naked before seriously questioning minds. I have no shortage of correspondence from thoughtful people, who have tossed the Bible out and who have walked away from the practice of Christianity in despair.

I grew up with the Bible and spent years in college and seminary tuning my understanding of its contents. I have spent 50 years attempting to make the Bible messages relevant to parishioners. I love the Bible. I do not easily cast aside any of its contents.

Now I find myself in the midst of a chaotic Christianity in search for its soul in a modern world. It is a world that demands critical thinking. It is a world that is increasingly well informed. I believe it is a world that needs the messages of the Bible. The world needs Christian churches and Christians who take their faith seriously. Insisting that the Bible is a uniquely holy book or throwing the Bible aside will NOT be helpful in pursuing our Christian faith.

I am suggesting a third alternative.

I accept that the Bible is NOT a holy book. he Bible is not free from error and has more than one religious perspective.

The Bible writings were written by men in a context that can be discovered and studied. Bible writers vigorously argued with one another and the participants all believed they were correct. Right or wrong the Bible writers were dealing with the right subjects. They were arguing about the Holy and what it meant to be the people of God.

The Rev. Howard Bess (hdbss@mtaonline.net) is a retired American Baptist minister who lives in Palmer.