FAITH: The Bible as a Living Collection

Is the U.S. Constitution a fixed document that all Americans must obey or is it a living document that must be constantly debated, interpreted and even amended? I have long believed that it is a living document. It reflects the times and the concerns of its writers. It reflects the concerns of a relatively small band of men (no women allowed), who brought differing opinions and beliefs to the table. To keep it a relevant document, the framers made provision for updating through the process of amendment. Our constitution set out a new and different way of governing a nation with the possibility of change if we felt some part was not serving us well.

This same kind of debate engulfs our understanding of the material that we call The Bible. Many people believe that the Bible is a sacred collection of writings that is forever fixed, not open to question and which can have no additions or corrections. Other Christians believe the Bible collection is living documents that include materials written over many centuries. In many instances the materials are easily identified in their original settings. Authors are known, and social and political issues are understood. The nature of the materials vary widely. Much of it is poetry. There is an amazing amount of storytelling and a smattering of history. Issues are argued without resolution. A variety of social customs and practices are embraced.

It took many centuries and a lot of arguing to determine what should be included in the official book of the Christian Church. By the end of the 4th century CE, the canon of the Christian Bible was set. (Canon is the Greek word for a measuring rod. The use of the word canon refers to the books that “measured up.”) While the content of the canon has always been debated, the content of the canon has not changed since the early 5th century CE. Even though the canon was closed, the Bible contents are best understood as dialog and debate, not fixed pronouncements for all time. The writings are living documents that beg our interaction.

The best illustration of the New Testament as a book of living documents is found first in the writings of Paul and then the four gospels. Paul was the earliest Christian writer and had died before any of the four gospels were written. When put into their settings of time, place and events, the Gospel writings and Paul’s writings can be shown as presentations of the Jesus story in different ways to fit the events going on around them. Significantly Paul never mentions the roots of Jesus from Nazareth. He was not concerned. He makes no references to Mary, Joseph, virgin birth, Bethlehem, shepherds, wise men or angels. Paul’s understanding of the Jesus phenomenon flowed directly out of his own background and personal experience. A serious reader cannot help but see that Paul’s version of the Jesus story was very contextual.

Between the death of Paul and the writing of Mark, the first gospel, a horrific war between Romans and Jews was fought, the Jewish temple was destroyed and Rome took firm control of Jerusalem. Upheaval was everywhere. The destruction of the temple was especially momentous. Before the war the followers of Jesus saw themselves as a reform movement within Judaism. Jesus followers were typically a part of their local synagogue meetings. Debate and discussion has always been a part of Jewish religious life. While priests ran religious festivals and ceremonial activities, prophets questioned and debated. Jesus and his followers were a part of that questioning/debating segment of Judaism. That dynamic ended with the destruction of the temple. Followers of Jesus were excluded from the synagogue meetings and a whole new era of Jesus followers emerged. The Jesus story was ripe for a new telling.

Dating is a much undervalued tool in Bible study and understanding. The new Christian story was written after the great war and the destruction of the temple in 70 CE. The first gospel story was written fully two generations after the death of Jesus. In the dating process, it becomes clear that Mark was the first written gospel account. Mathew was second, and Luke was third. The history of Christian churches evolved quickly. The gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke reflect that evolution. Mark is the shortest version. Matthew expanded the story, and Luke added even more verbiage. The reality that must be noted is that Bible material was written in the midst of ever moving history. Bible materials are reports about living in the midst of living. They should be read as living documents.

The full story of the formation of the Bible material is still being researched. It is obvious that the communities of Jesus followers at the time of the writing of the gospels were discussing and arguing constantly in the very best of Jewish tradition.

We are now living our own generation. We need to dialog with the past. We need to write our own gospel of Jesus Christ in our own context. The Bible is a collection of living documents. We need to make our own contributions to the canon.

The End

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.