The Center of Christianity

[Carl Thomas Gladstone]

::The Conversation::                               September, 7 2006 Recently I was asked what it means to hold the Bible as primary to understanding our lives of Christian discipleship.  If we also learn about God through reason, tradition, and experiences why have churches consistently stressed the importance of scripture? My response is this:  the true center of our Christian faith is the person of Jesus Christ who was and is the embodiment of God's love for us.  In his life, teaching, death, and resurrection we see who God is and how God loves. Jesus then is also the central character of our Holy Bible.  No matter where you turn, Old Testament or New, you see the story of God's creation, redemption, and victory over evil - a story whose climax happens in the gospel accounts of Jesus' life. So the Bible is primary because Jesus' is it's primary character and it is in knowing the scriptures that we know him.  But... It is fascinating that the very teachings of Jesus seem to turn us, his followers, away from a preoccupation with texts and laws and toward practices of radical love for the world.  Beyond memorizing passages of religious texts, Jesus' says following him means feeding your enemy.  Rather than living in anxiety about following this our that code, Christian discipleship is about living in the hope and love and grace of God. So, what does it mean to hold the Bible as primary?  It means that we hold Jesus Christ, the Way, primary.  And what does that mean?  That means that from our study of him we will go out with all our reason, tradition, and experiences at hand to share in the world-changing love of God in Christ. Carl Subscribe to the PODCAST! FEATURED LINK Paul Wesley Chilcote's Article on Wesley's Windchime. GATHER the EMERGE community Royal Oak Friends in Faith YAFF: Rochester Newburg YA Fellowship Wesley Foundation UofM GROW The Wesley Project 3rd Testament Project Soulstretch GO The NOAH Proj. Cass Community Baldwin Center Sierra Service Project City Year: Detroit Project Transformation PT: Oklahoma PT: Virginia Peace Corps Jesuit Volunteer Corps READ  Matthew 21:42  In this passage Jesus both honors scripture and totally changes his hearers' understanding of that scripture.  It is in him that this scripture is fulfilled.  In what ways have you experienced Jesus' capacity to turn scripture on its head?  In what ways have you seen Jesus' teachings challenge or solidify your knowledge of bible passages?

Upcoming Events Information Thursday, September 7 Emerge Community Worship/Coffeehouse, 8 PM Worship * Concerts * BibleStudies/Trips *

*For those new to this email list - each Thursday I send an e-message to students and young adults connected with BHAM First UMC, and with the developing EMERGE worship community for young adults.  These emails are meant to stay in touch with you, encourage you in your Christian journey, and pose some faith-filled questions that might spark some email correspondence.  If you have any questions about this list, just drop me an email at the address above. Peace.

carl thomas gladstone | deacon, first umc, birmingham, mi | 248.646.1200 | cglad...@fumcbirmingham.org