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I used to worry about not knowing the bible.  How can I believe in God and not “know” the bible?  How can I sound “credible” when challenged?  How can I be a “good defender”?  How can I convert/save others?  I used to worry a lot.

Going bible-blind has been one of the most liberating things ever!

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I met a nice chap.  Knows the bible back to front.  Has studied and does study.  Goes to all the meetings.  All the gatherings.  Asks me “difficult questions”.  Has all the answers.  He asks me what I think.  I almost find myself reverting to verse-off mode.  And then this –

“Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way.” And I hear “If you believe in me – and he believes in me – don’t split hairs over whose “me” is right or wrong.”

So I see what we have in common – not what we differ over.  We have Love in common.

And then this –

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”  And I hear “Whenever you get caught in a verse-off opportunity – don’t worry.  Listen to what you have in common – Love.  Listen to Love.”

So I see what we have in common – not what we differ over. We have Love in common.

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Something weird about going bible-blind – it seems to bring out the best of the bible!

And then the biggies.  The gay stuff.  The smiting stuff.  The killing stuff.  The is God this or that – is Jesus God or just a god-made man – God might love you but you will still end up in hell unless you are saved – all that “right and wrong stuff” . The stuff of verse-offs.

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And we are back to the age-old accountant’s answer: “What do you want it to add up to?”  The bible that has been versed-off before and ever since.  Scoured, sliced-and-diced, studied and interpreted like any piece of legislation.  What does the bible say?

Anything you want it to.

I have come to think the better discussion is not what does the bible say – not “where is it written”?

But what do you believe – what do I believe?  What do I think is Love – what do you think is Love?  What if you daughter or son was this or that … How have I changed my views and beliefs – how have you?  Why did we change what we thought was “fact”?

And why do we now think what we think is any more fact that the fact we thought was fact before?

This chap I was telling you about – we agreed on so much until the bible came out.  And then Love was not enough.

When the bible comes out it seems Love is never enough.  Love is too inclusive.  Too unconditional.

And more and more I wonder why.

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