Monday, April 11, 2011

VIEWPOINT

I am tempted every day of my life, but some of the temptations that assault me aren't what you might think. Only 20 feet to my left - every day - stands a set of bookshelves 16' wide by 9' high. Chock-full of books screaming to be read.

I've read a majority of them -- skimmed a lot of the rest -- smelled them all (see February 21 blog).

There are 60 books on Christian living -- two dozen on theology -- 30 on 'doing church' -- 50 about marriage and family -- 20 on end times (with 20 different views represented)-- money -- commentaries on books of the Bible -- the will of God -- worship -- spiritual gifts -- prayer -- spiritual warfare -- heaven and hell -- faith and healing -- SOMEBODY STOP ME!

Sometimes I hate that wall. I look at all those viewpoints and get this nagging sense that we have successfully made Christianity a lot more complicated than it was intended.

When we voice a cry for greater intimacy expressed in simpler times, maybe we should look over our shoulders at the shelf - and how elaborate and complex we have made a very uncomplicated Gospel.

Back to reading one of my 17 Bibles now.

And be blessed.

19 comments:

Tambrance said...

As a fellow reader, I can identify with your 'weakness'. At the moment, I'm reading Rob Bell's new book "Love Wins". If you read it, I'd be interested in your impressions....TH

Anonymous said...

I understand completely what you are saying. I am a person that loves the truth...good or bad. Now, before you tell me that I should go straight to the bible for truth...it is perfectly obvious that it is very much open to interpretation. If it wasn't, there would not be so many Christian books...or bibles.

I find it confusing. I find God as punitive, Jesus as loving and some stories have two different outcomes. Case in point...what happened to Judas. Yes, he committed suicide, but did he hang himself or throw himself off a cliff?

Sometimes, I find the wisdom portions more reliable than the history. Ok....you can let me have it now. I am braced... :)

PK's BLOG said...

:)
it happens to be in my briefcase as we speak. not started, but at least it has graduated to the valise.
:)

Anonymous said...

Tambrance and PK...I heard a discussion on it and they spoke of how whether or not someone goes to Hell is not EXACTLY clear. Did Ghandi go to Hell? Do all other followers of other religions go to Hell? If we don't really know...how can we preach it?

I love Rob Bell's books, but I found that part very unusual for a Christian. Does God change His mind or is it that we are overly curious?

PK's BLOG said...

You have to read the Bible, as with any other thousand page book written in Aramaic/Hebrew/Greek, with some understanding. That's not a slam, it's just the truth. It's a big book. Some thousand year old words or phrases don't mean the same thing as they do today - i think that is easy to understand.

Judas hung himself and then after his body became decayed and bloated, evidently the rope broke and he burst into pieces on the land of the potters field.

That said, the parts that are non-negotiable and life-changing aren't contradictory in the least. Some of the details can seem like it, but our faith isn't based on the details.

PK's BLOG said...

Like I said, I haven't read it yet - but Rob Bell's book isn't the Bible. "Nuff said.

Unknown said...

That is a HUGE amen from Moldova. For the longest time I have been thinking this very thing. What I want is a Bible study where we go to the Bible and not another book. I loose a lot of altitude when another book is brought into a small group, that is, except when I bring it. :) Don

Anonymous said...

The bible is as easy as you let it be, it cannot be read in a worldly way:)

Anonymous said...

I certainly trust your interpretation of the Bible far more than my own. Thanks for explaining Judas for me.

Maybe one of the reasons we tend to make it so very complicated, is that, indeed, it is a big book. So many things to comprehend. I still think we all see it from our own eyes...and I think the same holds true for the writers. I know it was divinely inspired, but there is a different tone to different books.

As far as Rob Bell...no, it is not the Bible. All that said, loved his other books.

Bill Tait said...

The Bible is not a book. The Bible is the Living Word Of God hidden in a book.

How amazing that the most powerful, most valuable, most beautiful item in the entire creation is hidden among millions and millions of common books.

Literally hidden in plain sight.

Anonymous said...

Are there one or two books on God that stand out in your mind as exceptional, from your perspective? I love to read. I've read some of your favorites on your blog, but others are geared more to pastors and leading a church.

Just curious.. I read every single day I work on my breaks and lunch.

Anonymous said...

I just have a question for you, since you are a pastor and have studied the Bible extensively. Is Jesus more grace-filled than God? I feel as if He is, but that is just my emotions. I cannot base it on fact.

Honestly, I am hoping for more demonstration of love than judgement when the end comes. I am not a terrible person, but I am not what He wants me to be, either. He knows absolutely everything about me Psalm 139. I welcome that...

I guess I am looking for peace of mind, but you may not be able to give it to me.

Oh well, this thread has probably dried up. I suppose that I will just have to wrestle with this for now.

Anonymous said...

You have said that writing a book is on your bucket list. I can't help but wonder, have you thought of a topic? You tend to write in intellectual terms. Would it make the Gospel easier to understand?Your blog post just aroused my curiousity.

PK's BLOG said...

ANON:

Just for sheer purposes of getting to know God -- i'd say:

A) Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby
and
B) The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard.

Blessings.

PK's BLOG said...

Yes. I'm currently in discussion about actually publishing parts of my own blog into book form.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I saw Experiencing God on your blog and I now own it. I do enjoy re-reading books after some time. Hoever, The Divine Conspiracy is new for me...thanks! I do love to read!

As far as your blog being published....WOW!!! How very exciting! I am so pleased and proud of you! You are so talented....

Anonymous said...

If we only focused on learning how to apply the bible (his way), and make the changes necessary in our lives. Wouldn't the holy spirit direct your decisions and not allow life to confuse you? Why are people allowing others to stay confused instead of directing their path along with the bible? The holy spirit can and will completely transformed you to where you need to be?? I feel these books are becoming distractions to what is truly sound and correct. Just askin.....

PK's BLOG said...

ANON:

Yes - IF we did the things you're suggesting, then yes, He would. Likely, one of our problems as human beings is our lack of obedience in following what we know is true and then blaming God for confusing us.

I suppose there are people (i KNOW there are) who believe we should just read the Bible and nothing else. That isn't my view. As much as I love the Bible - if for no other reason - I just need some variety. And there are some very solid, Biblical authors out there I wouldn't want to miss being inspired by.

Wouldn't people be disappointed if they came to church on weekends and just heard a pastor stand and read verbatim from the Bible. (Well, those people up above in parenthesis wouldn't be disappointed, but the rest of us would be.) We want to hear the message with a different voice and with some variety. Same thing with authors of other books, in my view.

Anonymous said...

Well put, PK. I read Christian books constantly...to the exclusion of anything else. There are definitely times when I want the softer, loving side of God, from the perspective of another woman. Other times, I want an intellectual discussion about the Bible. Something to make me think and something to chew on for a bit.

Sometimes, if I have a question or am uncertain about something, I just ask you and that helps clear things up.