A couple of quick thoughts... I try to write them up here so I don't forget.
1. I was reading a book by a Traditional Jewish rabbi for my history class. First, I
foresee myself reading many more books of the sort in the coming years. There is a depth of insight into the Old Testament that is amazing and I would like to have. Secondly, it strikes me amazingly (and for the fourth time in this past year) how this Jewish Rabbi claims that the Scripture cannot be interpreted without tradition. It amazes me how much their tradition got in the way of actually doing what God said in his word. Jesus said, "You forsake the command of God for your tradition." That's not to say that scripture should be stand alone... only a observation in how much we add to what God wants. How much do I add to what God wants? I'm sure that I make it more complex than what it is, and I hope that it doesn't get in the way of me doing what he says. I have to look into that. It surely did in the
Pharasees case.
2. On the other hand, this author had an amazing thought and one that I believe is one of the single most important
pieces of advice for my generation of American church:
"What would become of us if every one, in his own conceit, were to recognise only himself as his own highest authority and were to attempt to force his views upon the world? No wise man acts thus. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but a wise man
hearkeneth unto counsel." (Prov. xii, 15.) In religious ideas, especially, must the past centuries be considered. Here the opinions of the Sages, which have guided, comforted and strengthened our people throughout their long, sad dispersion, should not be disregarded. If we would burn the bridges behind us which unite the present with the past, deserting the beaten paths which our fathers have made for us—pursuing rather untrodden paths, 'mid thorns and brambles, that lead to religious chaos, it might indeed be said of us: "There is a way which
seemeth right unto a man; but the end of that way is death." (Prov. xiv, 12.) "
And surely this is what is happening. We burn bridges of Biblical Interpretation, customary worship, and spiritual disciplines to embrace pop culture Christianity until we have some loony preaching that God won't send anyone to hell. Are we so wise that we have figured out exactly how the Church should look? The feeling I get is that no one in 2000 years has done anything right until Rob Bell came along and showed us what the Bible meant to the Jewish people. How quickly we have forgotten history.
It's a delicate balance between the two. On one hand, we make up our own religion, neglecting the spiritual experiences and wisdom of the past. On the other, we embrace the religion made up by others. Either way, we're in trouble.
I tend to side on the neglect history side... that's how I've been raised in my individualistic American culture. I trust myself a lot more than some 1400's corrupt Catholic Pope in figuring out what God says. I used to think I knew myself well enough to know my shortcomings in Biblical interpretation. But... that's changed recently, and
I've come to the belief that I know myself very little, which makes me even more shaky on the Biblical interpretations thing...
One thing I do know. The more I do what I know God says, the more I see him clearly.
3. On a more personal note, graduation is coming waaaaay too slowly. Mostly because I cannot wait to get a dog. Current vote is the German Shorthair Pointer. But it changes every month or so.
