Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This morning, I intent to share with you how we, the United Methodist interpret de Bible. We the followers of Jesus span the globe. However, the global body of more than 2 billion Christians is separated into thousands of denominations. Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Apostolic, Methodist, Episcopalians and the list goes on and on. Estimations show that just in United States there are more than 200 Christian denominations and a staggering 45,000 globally. This is according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. So why does Christianity have so many branches? I will try to make the answer short. We are so divided for at least three main reasons,
- Our differences in belief: Disagreements over doctrine and interpretation of Scripture. Should children participate in Communion or not? Should they be baptized or not?
2, by Power and corruption: Historical events and political factors led to the formation of distinct denominations. The Anglican Church is a good example and
3, Geography and culture: Different regions and cultures influenced the interpretation of the Bible and consequently the development of various branches. Ethiopian Orthodox and the Byzantine churches are examples of it.
Much of the conflict leading to the formation of all these branches of Christianity centers around the scripture we read this morning, “16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” The question generations of Christians have made is. what exactly does the Bible mean by “inspired”?
Some Christians believe that divine inspiration means divine dictation. The authors of the Bible simply wrote down what they heard God say, and therefore, what they wrote must be read as the literal, infallible words of God. Consequently, when those who believe so, read the scripture, they essentially believe they are quoting God. To us, United Methodist, the writers of the different books of the Bible did not see themselves as passive secretaries taking dictation from God, as men or women of their time they also reflected the customs and belief of their times. And this is how the leaders of the early church understood inspiration either, a process between God and humans.
John Wesley, talked about the authority of the Bible. While he was a man of his time and did not have access to modern methods of biblical interpretation we do have now, Wesley acknowledged the human participation of the biblical authors and the importance of their own deliberation and participation in the writing process. He also understood the importance of interpreting scripture in context and drawing on the best scholarly principles of his day. Finally, most reasonable people today who love and study the Bible would be extremely reluctant to say that they are simply quoting God when reading scripture. Rather, we understand that we are trying -with the help of the Holy Spirit- to figure out what God is trying to tell us.
Depending on what “All scripture is inspired by God” means to us we will either read the Bible literally or contextually, which we can call it symbolically or interpretative too. And these interpretations will take us to two complete ways of understanding God and his will to us. Let us take an example. Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” If we take this passage in a literal way, the church of Jesus will be full of haters. Men and women breaking the fifth commandment of Honor your father and your mother.
Another example, Matthew 5:29-30, “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” If we interpret this passage literally, we would all be mutilated.
When we, United methodist say that the Bible is inspired by God, we are saying two things: (1) that God did something in the hearts and minds of the original authors, and when he or she passed the message to their communities, God also did something in their hearts. And (2) that God does something in our hearts and minds when we read it faithfully in the power of the Holy Spirit. When a Wesleyan community interprets the Bible, we use at least four elements known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. First, we use the Bible, to interpret the Bible. In Luke 14:26 Jesus is not telling us to hate our Father and Mother because the fifth commandment says honor your father and mother. Second, we use tradition. Jesus and the writers of the New Testament quoted the prophets and books of the Old Testament to affirm and confirm their message as part of God’s message.
The third element we use is Experience. Our personal experience is important to interpret the Bible. Do you remember the blind man in John 29, Jesus healed him on Sabbath and the Pharisees were arguing about the miracle and if Jesus was a sinner or not, when they asked the blind what he thought, He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Our personal experience is important. People can argue about if God is real or not, but what we have experienced no one can.
The last part of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral is Reason. Reason tells me that Jesus does not want his followers to mutilate themselves. Jesus was simple using what in literature is known as hyperbole. This is the use of exaggeration to bring a radical message.
But sometimes the literal interpretation of the bible is matter of life and death. Listen to Leviticus 17:12, “Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” The book refers to not include blood as part of their meals. However, based on this verse some Christians forbit their members to receive blood transfusions because they interpret that transfusion is equal to eating blood and many of their members have died because of this interpretation. Yes, how we interpret the Bible matters.
Or what about Ephissians 6:5-9, “5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
This scripture was used for hundreds of years by Christians to support and legalize slavery destroying the lives of millions of human beings. One more 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, “34 Women[a] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”As Ephissians 6 was used to support slavery when read in a literal way, this part of the inspired word of God was and still use to submit women when is read in a literal way.
Sisters and brothers how we interpret the Bible matters a lot, because with the Bible we can liberate people or humiliate people. We can make them free or slaves. We can take away the burden of sin or we can add a heavier yoke on their shoulders. I will end my sermon with a quote I read, and I forgot who said it, “In the Bible we can find enemies to destroy or neighbors to love.” And all this can happen depending on what method we use to read the Bible. Yes, how we read de Bible can we a matter of life and death.