W.Certain mainline denominations recognizing the task for what it is require their ministers to undertake additional education with the expectation that as Ministers of the Word it will be their job in congregations that they serve to interpret the words of faith -- to be teachers of others as to the content and history of faith.
W.The origins and structure of the Bible, what it says, how it has been passed to us, what we have added by way of tradition, theology and practice over the centuries and what it means to us are all aspects of this most important work. Not doing this work will lead to misunderstanding, conflict over irrelevant periphera of faith and loss of faith by individuals and the community of faith as a whole.
W.God cannot be prevented by either our actions, intentions or inattention from becoming present with us here and now. Interpretation, exegesis and teaching are all ways that he will accomplish this. It is the way he has always done it throughout the centuries of Christian history. And it is how he will do it again. To believe otherwise is to believe that humans have the power to prevent it which they cannot. Neither have we the power to ensure it by guarding against intelligent deconstruction and reconstruction of what has been God's message in other times and places.
W.We
are all called to use our minds to understand.
.Return
to Tom Jonard's Faith page.
Created November 10, 2002,
© 2002, Thomas A. Jonard