Tara's ramblings

I am going to try and tackle both the Scripture question and the post modern question in one post. My answers will be entirely non-academic in nature. I think the guys have that end covered.

First:
"What is the Bible? How does it work? In what way is it meaningful (or is it meaningful)? In what way(s) is it true (or not true)?"

I was raised to believe that the Bible was just one of MANY spiritual texts that one can use to learn about God. Although I agree that there are good points in many of the world's religious texts I really do believe the Bible is unique. I have read parts of the Hindu writings, excerpts from Buddhism, and almost the entire Quran. It is my personal opinion that the Bible is the only truly unselfish text. The Biblical writers were trying to point us to God, not to themselves.

I believe that the Bible, in it's original text (language), is the absolute word of God. I think that we have likely lost some aspects through the translation process. I think that God knew most of us would need a hard copy of His teachings since we are such bone heads. The Bible is another proof of God's graciousness to us. He is reaching out to us in a tangible and incredibly obvious way.

The whole point of the Bible is that it is a TOOL God uses to help us get to know HIM better, to help us build greater relationship with Him and with those around us. It is NOT a purely academic text. When you take the intrinsic spirituality of the Scripture out of it you are simply left with another religious text. I really believe that Scripture is from God.

Obviously I think Scripture is meaningful and true. As a person who has often struggled to "get anything" out of daily Scripture reading, to truly feel connected to God, I know it is my own darn fault. The problem is not with God's words to me... the problem lies with me. MY selfishness and self centerdness and "issues" distract me from truly hearing God's voice in His words. The fact that I EVER get anything out of reading the Bible is truly a testament to God's goodness and His willingness to meet us where we are at... selfish morons that we are.

so.. now for question number 2

What does the 'post-modern christian' look like in action?

Well... I'm a post modern Christian. I look like a frazzled mom who is trying her best to teach her kids about God without sounding like a cheesy religious commercial. I look like an imperfectly odd pastor's wife trying to understand what the point of the religious sub-culture is. I have SOOO many questions about why we do church the way we do it ( churches in general as well as our church specifically). It is so clear to me that people crave relationship and yet so many of our religious practices prevent true relationship.

Why do we try so hard to sound perfect? Why do we act smarter than others? Why do we act as though we have the corner on truth? Why are emotions dismissed as the trappings of our flesh while logical intellectual thinking is upheld as the way to find God? And really, if we are all so darn post-modern in our thinking why the heck don't I fit in better?

I feel like half the time we are simply chasing after whatever the "new" thing is. Right now it is cool to be "different"... cool to "rebel" against the traditional church. And while I completely agree that church needs a full overhaul I do NOT agree with my generations penchant for simply ditching when things don't go their way. If you are not a part of a local body of believers in a regular and meaningful way than you simply do not have the right to complain about it. HOW you participate is up to you but don't bash other's honest attempts to serve God.

I know there is plenty to complain about but being a judgemental ass goes both ways. Christians are accused of judging those outside of the church but I PROMISE you as one who grew up on the other side that the judgement goes both ways.

We are human. We pretty much suck. But God loves us anyway inspite of our failure to really figure things out. I am an introvert at heart. I worship best when I am alone. The corporate worship experience is challenging for me... at best. But I believe that God created us for community. I know that our individualistic Western culture does not help with that. But still I try. Not because it is a "rule" but because I know that God has called me NOT to be a complete hermit.

I think that post-moderns are more concerned with social justice issues and environmental issues than the generations before us. I think we are striving for authenticity. I think we are slowly changing church. I think our natural disposition toward relativism causes a lot of us a good amount of confusion.

And I think that is enough ramblings from me.