June 30, 2013: Study – Michael Hidalgo

“I just want to hear what the Bible says.” This is fairly common refrain from people who have spent many years in the Church when speaking about the teachers and preachers who are part of the community. But, who dictates what the “Bible says.” 

 

A particular tradition? A person? Anyone? Our experiences? And what we do then with who understand the text differently than us, but still love Jesus? And what about those who leave out massive parts of Scripture and therefore reach different conclusions? Can anyone really study the Bible with any certainty?

Study, in an of itself is good and necessary. But we also must remember that the Bible is a vehicle through which the Holy Spirit speaks. And the Spirit of God is like the wind. It blows where it pleases. God’s Spirit is also breath – it gives life. And this word is living and active. Which means we can’t always make it say what we want, but we can be confident that the Scripture will give life.