Today we continue with a look at taking Scripture seriously by William Placher and the importance of being aware of the genre of literature we are reading.
...when the author of Jonah tells the story of this prophet who brought all the people of the Assyrian capital to repent, it would have hit Jews like a vegetarian today saying, "Let me tell you the story of the guy who talked McDonald's out of selling hamburgers." They would have recognized at once that this story was something other than history.
That recognition need not imply that the story is "untrue." We learn more about humanity from 'War and Peace' than from 'People' magazine's latest news about the lives of celebrities. But it is truth conveyed in a different way, in something more like an extended parable than a historian's careful account. Therefore, if someone insists on the historical truth of Jonah - conversion of Ninevah, big fish, and all - they are not taking the Bible more seriously than the rest of us. They are misunderstanding it.
What a simple and yet straightforward way of holding up the primacy of the Scriptures and yet, allow ourselves to read them with an eye toward the meaning of the text rather than the simple images offered in the writing. I like to consider all the conversation that is possible among us if we would allow all the many voices of interpretation to speak up and have their voices heard and honored. It seems that within such a conversation, we would be able to hear when and where the text is being misunderstood. Not only that. We would begin to see the profound depths of some of our stories and how they open doors for us rather than close them. When I'm preparing for a sermon or for a class, I attempt to read the opinions and research of those who are able to offer new insights to what is going on in a text. I also enjoy reading how other preachers and teachers peel open the text and talk to it and with it. More time than not, it is a discussion that helps change me and turn my thinking around. Never do I find my faith weakened by the discussion and questions. Rather, most times I simply pause and say wow...that's new...that's different...that really expands my thinking...that was a breath of fresh air.
Connection: So when you listen to the voice of Scripture...make sure you hear your voice but also have space in your mind to hear the voices of others.
Lord, God, you Word comes to us in many ways and it continues to break into us like the fresh rain from a storm that disturbs our plans and yet offers us another one to cherish. We give you thanks for the wisdom and truthfulness of your Word. Amen.
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