Rob Bell on celebrating mystery
The true orthodox faith is deeply mysterious, and every question that's answered leads to a new set of questions. A lot of preaching tries to answer everything. At the end of the sermon, people walk out with no more questions. But if it's truly proclamation of truth rooted in God --
The rabbis believe that the text is like a gem: the more you turn it the more the light refracts. I heard a guy one time say, "Oh yeah, I got a sermon on that verse. I got it pretty much nailed." What? Are you out of your mind? You have that nailed? I just endlessly turn it.
I did a six-month series on John 3:16. I did a sermon on the word that. You have to ask questions. Some Christian traditions think a text has a meaning and if you apply the right method, then you can pull out the correct meaning. That's the ultimate in arrogance. If it's a living Word, then turn the gem.
- Rob Bell
(Via PreachingNow)
posted by Milton Stanley at 7:03 AM
4 Comments:
well, er, yeh...
but six months on one verse???
there is such a thing as reading meaning into things too which is surely inevitable if you overcook it.
Good point, Dave. You certainly can overcook a verse.
it is true...it is not so much what we get out of trying to find meaning in the word as having meaning shown to us through the word. God is speking to our spirit. He shows us what we need to see when the time is right, we just need to keep our eyes on the gem.
Amen, Nancy. And all the best on your work at Child at Heart. I was especially impressed by the last few lines of "American Dreams." Peace.
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