Personal Context
“and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32 NASB
Know the truth – It seems that every once in awhile we need to review our investigative methods. We need to take a step back and ask ourselves if the way we go about examining the Scriptures leads us to a place of open consideration of the Bible and the world, or if it leads us to a place where we are closed to alternative ideas because they seem to challenge our long-held convictions. If you have been reading Today’s Word for a while, you know that the investigation here often challenges beliefs common to certain religious traditions. Perhaps it’s worth elaborating and explaining this process so that you, as readers, will not be personally frightened or send me a message concerned about my salvation (however, you can send the message if you like). So let me say a few things about my approach to Scripture. Of course, this is my process. It doesn’t have to be yours.
First, I believe that Truth (capital T) isn’t something I need to fear. It will stand the test of time and logic and will lead us to a worldview that can consider all the evidence we can collect. If I discover along the way that my worldview forces me to deny some of the evidence in order to maintain my beliefs, I am probably not on the path to Truth. In other words, I am convinced that Truth is comprehensive. It doesn’t require me to make a priori exclusions of facts. As I examine evidence, I might find that some of it isn’t useful or moral or expedient, but that comes after I look, not before.
Second, my approach begins with the (implicit) assumption that every idea has a history. Even Scripture tells me there isn’t anything new under the sun, so I think I am on the right track to constantly ask, “Where did that idea come from?” This allows me to take a rather open-ended approach to history and culture. I can examine the human and divine (revealed) motives of the content of Scripture according to the needs of the authors and audience. For example, I see no conflict between the stories of David’s conquests and the archeological absence of confirming data if I view the stories as politically motivated dynastic testimony for an audience living between the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. Under this approach, it is just as important for me to read Camille Paglia and Gabor Maté as it is to read Avivah Zornberg and Abraham Heschel.
Third, I am, personally, not wedded to doctrine. Yes, I probably still have many unexamined doctrinal positions, but none (I hope) are so cemented in place that they cannot be moved regardless of what I discover about language, grammar, culture and history. Doctrines like sinful nature and the Trinity are doctrines—formulations of faith written by men who attempted to abstract the ideas from a wide diversity of Scriptural statements. Most of these doctrines are inferences, and therefore, are subject to further examination questioning the interpretation of the texts. If I discover that one of my doctrinal positions is immune from criticism, I can be pretty sure that it is based on fideism rather than evidence and argument. At the same time, I want to recognize the role of the prophet and the validity of direct divine revelation. But I need a healthy skepticism (as human history clearly demonstrates when it comes to men claiming to speak for God). The checks and balances of this approach depend on you—exegesis is communal! The reason we don’t get too far off track is that we correct each other, that is, we seek dialogue about ideas. This is quite different than declarations of required beliefs. In my view, the heretic (in the original sense of “one with a differing opinion”) is the most important member of the group. I learn nothing from others who believe exactly as I believe, but I am constantly learning from those who challenge what I believe. And remember, Truth isn’t something I have to be afraid of.
Finally, for now, in my experience all of this is both terrifying and liberating. It’s terrifying because of two reasons; one valid and the other traumatic. First the traumatic. If I follow this path of exploration, I soon discover that things I used to believe are not true. This can lead me to angry despair. I can say to myself, “How come I was lied to? Why was I so stupid? How can I trust anything now?” This is an understandable emotional reaction, but it isn’t the truth. The truth is that everything we learn is a process of correction. You don’t believe what you once believed as a five-year-old and that doesn’t upset you. You grew up. And you are still growing up. Our beliefs change over time. That’s what it means to be alive. But if we allow the emotional anger and despair to take over, we die. We stop growing. We are afraid. And the Truth can’t make us free.
The second result is liberating. It’s so exciting to grow! It’s so enriching to discover new things, new ways of seeing old things, new insights into God’s word. The Truth can make us free, but, at the same time, we realize that this too is subject to change. We hold on loosely because growing hasn’t stopped. And that’s okay. In fact, the tension that comes with realizing that “no word of God’s is the final word” (Heschel) is the essence of freedom. I am drawn toward the depths because I am not afraid of the surface.
“Creed and commitment are final; but how does one live one’s creed? How does one exercise one’s ultimate commitment? Neither was satisfied to accept a definite, final commitment, once and for all. The issue was: how does one renew his commitment day after day? Man lives in time, and there is no finality, no standstill in existence. Human personality, the Kotzker and Kierkegaard insisted, was never to be interpreted as a simple, static state. The self was always in motion. Because it lacked permanence, because it was in conflict with itself and passionately concerned with itself, the essence of self was fraught with danger. The great task was to perpetuate one’s condition to challenge it. To many people the inner life is a no-man’s land. To Kierkegaard and the Kotzker it was the deepest concern.”[1]
Topical Index: method, free, doctrine, creed, John 8:32
Skip you stated: “To many people the inner life is a no-man’s land”. For me it is more a nomad’s land. I go wherever the grass grows, because without nourishment I will die. Your words have offered me plenty of green, nourishing food throughout the years. Thank you. Your understanding and approach to Truth seems to mirror this statement (or theirs yours): “My Belief System will be large enough to include all of the facts, open enough to be examined and questioned, and flexible enough to change when errors or new facts are discovered”. Jim Myers and Rabbi Leynor. Their blog “The Real Yeshua Project” is (IMHO) well researched, presented and on Torah target . It can be found at www dot biblicalheritage dot org. Bon appetite.
Thanks, Michael, for sharing this resource that looks to be very helpful. I have already bookmarked it so I can check it out thoroughly.
Just love this! Thank you Skip.
Skip, you have either forced me, or led me (actually, BOTH), to consider different views of the meaning of Scripture, than I was ever taught before. As you point out, it is liberating! Many thanks for your openness!
I had to face my terror to realize that all the terror consisted of running; the only safety is to be found in standing. There can be no Ephesians 6 armor for the backside because the enemy is, well, me! I create the platform for all my drama, and it is I, also, who choose to participate in the drama (choices) of those around me.
Peace is possible in all storms, depending upon where you are standing. Facing our own drama is the correct vaccine to immunize us from all the other drama. The oil of honest evaluation on our own water prevents us from being disturbed by the tempests originating from others. To examine my own angst (and sources thereof) protects me from the patches others created over their own angst.
I have decided that most doctrinal positions, assumptions, ‘conclusions’, suppositions, etc. – in fact, anything that does not allow for Skip’s continuing inquiry (substrate for true choice) – was created by either myself or someone else because I or they got buffaloed by something and so decided to make camp there (patch of, say, a doctrinal position over that particular angst so as to not be disturbed by it any more).
We can make camp nowhere! We are “pilgrims” looking for a “city whose builder and maker is God”. Until then, there are no stopping points, for all is “sinking (quick) sand”. If we stop, the deep will start to engulf us. So, until then, let us bon voyage together!
Hey Laurita just a few weeks back I was pondering if I would find the place where I had my fill of change ( truth) in the surroundings of comfortable familiarity of knowing something even for a short while. Would I have the energy to face the prospect of another corner?
Energy flagging and looking for the home to rest in. I keep getting the ‘ Are we there yet? ‘ from the tired places in me who remember with a hooded clarity that we always seem to be on the move..the places that sigh for rest and aren’t satisfied with that either for they know… even when trying to stay still it isn’t actually rest and then I remembered we always turn corners to new vistas broader with greater dimension and clarity.
And I feel like the surfer waiting for the surge of the right wave to carry me a bit further and not deposit me on the reef below.
Take care. All. Blessings. FJ
Thank you, FJ. We are told that we can “plant vineyards” in the next earth. Right now we are journeying. Rest is not to be found anywhere but in Him, which is the lesson we have set before us. May we learn it well!
Laurita Your reply is significant for me as I am struggling with the builder in me that has its own blueprints and has tried for some years to show me how this is OK with God’s plan ie to build here.
We all know that kind of building always has a price we just really can’t afford.
The time I spend on my own projects, no matter how much I justify them prevents me sojourning in Him and leads me on a path of the settler becoming satisfied with the world & outside of the better vision. …………….. I can smell the burning of flesh coming up for the next corner…….but I have placed the vision of planting in the world to come before my eyes ( just the word I needed ) and that is something to gaze upon expectantly…Take care. Shabbat Shalom. FJ
Why would anyone feel the need to add to what you write? Love love love me some Skip Moen! Thank you for being YOU. Thank you for allowing the Truth to flow through you so well, so eloquently, so humbly. Tauren Wells sings a song, “Known” and the words “It’s hard truth and ridiculous grace” is why loving Yeshua, choosing Yeshua, day by day, minute by minute is the only Truth I have been able to stand firm not in angry defense but it humble gratitude…..and I have already said too many words when, alas, you write, speak, love us so well. Thanks Mr Skip. I am glad we will spend eternity together! Shalom! – kvm
Incredibly well said and helpful. Actually the place that Today’s Word seems to be bringing me. A challenging and exciting time. The understanding that knowledge and knowing are two different things. Knowing, is what takes all the time, intention and attention. Experience is time-consuming. There’s a lot of people who know a lot of things, but do they really know them? Knowledge can be a lot of air, it puffs up! I guess in a sense when I go to church I am taught or given knowledge . When I leave church I then have the opportunity to experience how this knowledge becomes knowing. Oswald Chambers calls it making the real actual! I can know, according to Scripture, that I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me, but it isn’t until I experienced difficulty and find God in it that I turn my knowledge into knowing…. the real becoming actual!
Today’s Word can be overwhelming because it would be similar to having big,sumptuous meals. Even just sitting down at the table and looking at the meal can make you salivate. But the trouble comes because we are only able to process so much as we walk it out with the Holy Spirit. That’s where I find myself. Full. Almost having spiritual overload. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is in the process of teaching me how to incorporate what I know into a living experience ! So I have to push myself away from the table and take a walk to help in processing what I have just consumed.
I am reminded of an old hymn, “Jesus has a table spread where the Saints of God are fed he invites his chosen people, come and dine. With his manna he does feed and supplis our every need or how sweet to sup with Jesus all the time !”
So many times in reading today’s word I feel like a grade schooler sitting in on a high school class. Is there a shortcut?!
I am thankful.
You state you are not wedded to doctrine, but didn’t you say in your Trinity conference I watched on YouTube (February 2017) you do not support the doctrine of the Trinity?
But that’s my point. I am NOT wedded to the doctrine of the Trinity. I don’t think there is a competing doctrine although there is obviously a differing opinion on the matter.
Hear hear!! Well spoken. This is what is missing from most organized religions. There is no allowance for different opinions or questioning of doctrine. Many tend to get riled when you do these things!