CLAPTRAP, DRIVEL, TWADDLE, HOGWASH AND BALONEY
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
2Timothy 3:7, 16-17 Ever learning, and never able to come
to the knowledge of the truth. … All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly [completely]
furnished unto all good works.
Since first
ability to, reading has been a big part of my life. I subscribe to magazines,
have near-hoarder shelves and stacks of books throughout home, and people give
me materials to read and review. And then there’s internet sendings and questions
posed to be researched. I occasionally get behind on home infrastructure
maintenance, but I’m always behind on reading.
Much reading
however does not assure embracing truth that leads to sound godly knowledge and
wisdom for living sensibly. (2Tim.3:1-17)
An example is
yesterday I read article in magazine given to me for review, CONNECTIONS for
evangelical Lutheran Christians. The article is titled BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
TODAY, by Dennis Bielfeldt (March/April/Easter 2011), President and professor
of Theology at the Institute of Lutheran Theology, holding Ph.D. in
Philosophical Theology.
Bielfeldt writes
of how he as child once believed the Bible as absolutely true before exposure
to “higher criticism” that includes scientific evidence against, intellectual
problems with, questions about what the Bible really means, human subjectivity
interfering with astute objectivity (blind faith versus intelligent belief).
He then reminds
that instead of letting all questions of whether Scripture is absolute Truth or
not, we should “… try instead to derive Biblical authority out of the effect
of the text on the reader.” He goes on to explain we shouldn’t be too
objective or too subjective when it comes to the Bible, ultimately failing to
provide solid authoritative ground. Bielfeldt then offers yet another option;
that the Bible’s authority may be grounded in the Word if and as it confronts
its readers.
Moving on, he
compares reading Tibetan Book of the Dead as a de facto (in reality) authority
in the lives of people, which Christians convinced the Bible is true would say
is example of misplaced authority.
Then he begins to
wind down with “Yet through the self-communication of God, these finite,
historically-conditioned [Bible] texts bear to us the infinite gifts of divine
law and grace, of divine presence and salvation – no matter what interpretive
problems exist.”
Must stop here
and as 5 year old grandson explains something, periodically asks “Got it?!” In
phone conversation last evening this same precocious little boy explained that
the flamingos in his yard get their energy from the rain that was falling on
them. 
EBB4
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