I am reading A More Christlike Word by Brad Jersak as part of a study group I am attending. I am going to be sharing some of my reflections as I read the book. Here is my first reflection:

God allows many questions because the point is relationship. The Bible is an invitation to relationship.

People prefer a static rulebook over a dynamic relationship because they still have fear. Because they aren’t sure they are completely and eternally safe in the heart of God.

Trusting in a static interpretattion of a collection of writings occupies enough of their mind to distract them from their feelings and offer them a sense of control akin to a raft marooned in the middle of this wild unpredictable ocean of a life. Instead of calling out to God, they cling to a collection of writings. Instead of looking into the mirror of Christ, they settle for finding a sense of refuge in the interpretations of the stories about God.

Until real life happens and invites our hearts into so much more.

Some at this point close their hearts, and thereby their eyes, and becomes even more entrenched. Willfully ignoring that the raft they’ve made is taking on water and sinking.

Others risk more honesty and find an incredible adventure in an unending Love that they wished they would have known about before and fully embraced as soon as possible. They now only wish they had more time to explore depths within the context of complete security in the heart of Trinity.

They find themselves instead of the character they previously thought they had to be in order to appease a frankly, false deity.

Have you made even your Bible an idol?

Will you limit your Creator to your interpretation of a collection of writings?

Will you require Christ to submit to the Bible or the Bible to submit to Christ? Which existed first?

Is the Bible your god? Or is God your God?

I hear you – how are you supposed to know about God without the Bible? Or even, can you? I’ll respond by saying how long has the printing press been in existence? How did people know God before the Bible? Does God only speak through the Bible?

Or again, could this be about a Creator who Loves you and is already and always in relationship with you? Bible or not. Could that be possible? And probable?