I come from a pretty normal conservative, Protestant Christian background. Part of this tradition is Sola Scriptura, or Scripture alone. Beginning with Luther, Calvin, and other Protestant fathers, this part of the church basically said if it's not in the Bible we're not following it. I fully embraced this as a young adult. Anything we can, or should, know about God is in the Bible ... period. There is where we get the very Bible-centered churches and practices of today from.
Last year at Mars Hill Graduate School, now the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, one of the things we talked about was the importance of tradition in following Christ and learning about God. The most ironic part of this is that it is through tradition that we believe the Bible is the Word of God. It is through tradition that many Protestants believe the principle of Sola Scriptura. What's more, what about the Holy Spirit? Don't we learn some things about God directly from God and apart from the Bible? Even further, as followers of Jesus we are all part of the Body of Christ right? Parts that are in the image of God. So, can't we learn about God from each other too? I could keep going, but I think I'm making the point.
So, there's this amazing album by Gungor called Beautiful Things, full of awesome songs. One of them is named "Cannot Keep You." Some of the lyrics are:
they tried to keep you in a tent
they could not keep you in a temple
or any of their idols, to see and understand
we cannot keep you in a church
we cannot keep you in a Bible
or it’s just another idol to box you in
they could not keep you in their walls
we cannot keep you in ours either
you are so much greater
Who is like the Lord?
The Maker of the Heavens.
Indeed. I'm learning I cannot keep God in the Bible alone. He is so much more. Where do you keep God?
this is a beautiful song, its one thing to say "God can use me" its another level, more inspiring, deeper say "God makes beautiful things out of the dust"
ReplyDeletekev
You are onto something realizing that Sola Scriptura does not hold up. Jesus did not leave behind a book. There is no place in the bible that says it (itself) is the sole source of wisdom or knowledge or law as pertains to following Jesus. So when someone says "bible alone", I want to ask "Where does it say that in the bible?!"
ReplyDeleteWhat He did leave behind was the Church.
Matthew 16:18
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Sacred Scripture is essential, but without the tradition, it becomes subject to relativism and each man's personal opinion. The first Christians were careful to maintain an oral tradition and to share Jesus’ teaching primarily through example.
Tradition is rooted in sacred scripture. Scripture details much of our tradition… and that tradition keeps scripture alive.
John 21:15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.
[16] He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. [17] He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep. [John 21:17]
Jesus called Peter to lead His flock and feed His sheep. So today we have pastors, priests and bishops. Jesus chose 12 men as a symbol to the 12 tribes of Israel that He was the fulfillment of the law and His Church would be the new covenant between God and His people. He was making a new covenant. His new Church is for ALL people, and for ALL time.
ReplyDeleteIn the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the Apostles asked Him to send the people away so they could go find food. He said "feed them yourself". Jesus instructed the Apostles to arrange the 5,000 into small groups and feed them. He was setting up the structure for His Church, allowing the Apostles to act in His place and feed His flock. He blessed the loaves and fishes, gave it to them and all were fed.
[Luke 9:11] Which when the people knew, they followed him; and he received them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed them who had need of healing. [12] Now the day began to decline. And the twelve came and said to him: Send away the multitude, that going into the towns and villages round about, they may lodge and get victuals; for we are here in a desert place. [13] But he said to them: Give you them to eat. And they said: We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; unless perhaps we should go and buy food for all this multitude. [14] Now there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples: Make them sit down by fifties in a company. [Luke 9:14]
[16] And taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed them; and he broke, and distributed to his disciples, to set before the multitude.
ReplyDeleteThis is symbolically several dioceses or parishes, being ministered to by the 12 original pastors.
From John's Gospel, we see... John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. [52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. [53] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? [John 6:53]
[54] Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. [55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.
So we are called to Communion with Jesus the Lord. We are created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus came to give His life so that we may live, with Him and in Him, forever.