“While there’s certainly a place for allowing Scripture to speak to us and convict us in personal ways, this needs to be part of a broader understanding of God’s Word as it applies to the church as a whole. In order to recover the biblical Jesus, we need to read Scripture through a less individualistic, more communal lens.”- Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore
Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore continue Chapter 5 of The Missing Messiah as they observe that early Christians primarily encountered Scripture through public readings in community gatherings. Hence, they understood that the Bible served as the community’s book, interpreted through faith and practice. Furthermore, individual copies of Scripture were rare.
However, Kyle and Mark argue, today we mainly encounter Scripture through private “devotional” reading. Thus, we ask the question, “What does this verse mean to me?” Certainly not a bad question. But, the authors contend, this isn’t the first or most significant question.
Above all, Kyle and Mark underscore, this means that we engage in conversation about Scripture with diverse believers. Especially those from non-WEIRD cultural contexts. Because they might see what our individualism blinds us to.
For example, a pastor from Haiti asked one of the authors about his understanding of the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21). Kyle or Mark basically stated that the parable stressed having the right perspective on wealth. And not neglecting our relationship with God.
But in Haiti, Pastor Erby said, one is rich toward God by being rich in community. Thus, while the American reading makes this a parable about attitude, the Haitian reading focuses on action toward others.
In conclusion, Pastor Erby replied gently:
“In your American context, perhaps it is easy read Scripture as addressing only the heart because you have the luxury of choosing what to do with excess. Here, we read Scripture through the eyes of community because our survival depends on one another.”
Today’s question: What do you think we need to do to recover the biblical Jesus? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Self-surrender v self-actualization”