This is part two in a six part series where I'll be exploring the Bible. Specifically, how do we as (predominantly) American, Western-influenced modern people approach this book and as we do so, what (mis)conceptions do we bring into the text. In future posts, I'll be covering questions such as "Is the Bible a rulebook?" and "Will the Bible make a better you?" But for today, a key idea that should effect the way we look at every verse of Scripture: The Bible is not about you.
And I don't blame you, you're pretty awesome. Unfortunately, there's at least two massive flaws in that method of Bible interpretation.
1. The Bible wasn't written to you. It was written in a variety of Ancient Near Eastern cultures over several centuries in languages you don't speak. So, while it was written for you, so that you might know the Main Character of it, it was most certainly not written to you.
2. Enlightenment values do not equal Biblical values. If you are a Western person (Americans in particular), you more than likely approach most of life's questions from a individualistic perspective. By that I don't mean, selfishness (th0ugh our individualism often plays itself out that way), by it I mean, a perspective that seeks to understand personal implications and answer "my mind's" questions.
This method isn't totally wrongheaded, but when we apply it to everything, we do the Bible a great disservice.
This is because the Bible is not about us.
The Bible is primarily about God. More specifically, it is a meta-narrative about God, in the person of Jesus Christ redeeming a people for Himself and making all things new for His own glory.*
It's about God. It's not about you. He is the main character, not you, not me.
But because of the above mentioned reasons (and some others) we consistently read ourselves into the Scriptures.
To borrow an example from Pastor Matt Chandler, take the story of David and Goliath. If you don't know it, watch an NCAA tournament game and at some point the announcers will probably bring it up (or read it: 1 Samuel 17).
When we read this story, we often ask, "What is the Goliath in my life?", "What is the 'giant' I need to overcome?"
Our answers can be important: Maybe it's addiction. Or debt. Or a marriage on the rocks.
Hear me when I say, God cares about those things and deeply wants to heal them.
But that's not the point. That view assumes that, I am David, and that I need to choose the stone that will slay the "giant" and give me "victory".
But, I'm not David. You're not David (and good thing because you'll miss that sling-shot every time).
You aren't David, you're the scared Israelite, "terrified and dismayed" who has "fled from [Goliath] in great fear." (Rule of thumb: If you insist on reading yourself into the text, pick the most depraved, least likable character and insert yourself there, because if you, like me, know the depths of your own heart, that's closer to accuracy.)
Biblically, you and I are always the one who has nothing to offer. We aren't David.
And this story truly isn't about David. It's about Jesus.
That's right. This story that takes place 900 years before Christ's earthly ministry is about Jesus.
And here's why:
He's the better David. He's the stronger David. He's the David who didn't just conquer a giant of flesh and blood who threatened to overtake and enslave, but he's the hero who conquered and killed the giant of sin and death, that didn't just threaten, but held all of humanity in spiritual death and enslavement to fear, shame, brokenness, hopelessness, discord, and frustration.
This is a story about the better David.
Jesus Christ, conqueror. He's the main character. The protagonist. The Beginning and the End and the Present Tense.* He's the better David, the better Moses, the better Abraham.
The Bible isn't about you. Every page, every story, every passage is about He who is redeeming a people for Himself and making all things new for His own glory.
*Adapted from the EFCA Statement of Faith: Article 1.
*Phrase borrowed from Andy Mineo. Get his great, free album: http://noisetrade.com/andymineo
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