Why does Holy Scripture matter? For historic Episcopalians – being both Catholic and Reformational; we believe the Bible to be our highest authority which guides us in both life and salvation. However, we also know that our holy book was developed over thousands of years through a Spirit-led, yet frail community. It is not a completed magic book that dropped from the sky into the hands of the Church Fathers. It has a distinctly mystical, spiritual, and creational history. Thus, we embrace the truth that Holy Scripture is formed by the unique work of the Holy Spirit in the context of good tradition.
But as we will see in the Lectionary readings this Sunday, there is also bad tradition. Jesus calls this false tradition, the “traditions of men”. How do we know when we are following traditions informed by the faithful catholic church with cultural sensitivity, versus when we are being shaped by the machinations and philosophies of the culture around us vying for our attention (and our worship)?
There are three ways that God “bridges” to humanity, revealing himself as a God who longs to redeem us in personal and communal ways. First, He reveals his glory in the natural world around us. Second, through the Spirit in concert with the Holy Scriptures guiding us, and ultimately (and supremely) by the revelation of His son, Jesus Christ.
This Sunday we will start a series focusing on the written revelation of our Triune God to mankind (based only on His holy and unchanging character). The Christian Church of every “stripe” in this world is constantly tempted to treat the Bible condescendingly. Some want to make it a rigid manual which supposedly gives the believer one right answer for every situation. Others fantasize that they are free to ignore the clear, careful, and contextual teaching of God’s Word where only repentance, change, and holy living will do. However, as we journey together in the coming weeks (remembering our callings as baptized disciples of Jesus) we will be reminded that the scriptures, through the power of the Holy Spirit, are a human, divine, and life-giving revelation of our creating and saving Lord Jesus Christ.
Father Tom
(First Article after starting my time as Priest at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Bloomington, IL.)
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