Avoiding Versitis: Preventing a Lego-Like Misinterpretation

Avoiding Versitis: Preventing a Lego-Like Misinterpretation

Pastor Kevin Rutledge

Photo by Xavi Cabrera on Unsplash

In the ever-evolving landscape of faith discussions, revisiting our approach to scripture is essential. The phrase "Love the sinner, hate the sin" has been central to many debates concerning human sexuality. As we reconsider this saying, we begin with the fundamental idea that context matters, drawing a surprising parallel between understanding scripture and building with Lego blocks.

The Lego Lesson:

My son has a Lego set with 253 pieces. This Lego set can be put together in one of three ways. It can form a parrot, a frog, or a fish. What's fascinating about this Lego set is that the same pieces can be used to create different things, depending on your perspective. The set can only form one of those things, but each is radically different. You have the power to decide which model to build.

Legos vs. Bible Verses:

How we previously learned to read the Bible can sometimes hinder our understanding of its profound message. We often read the Bible as a collection of verses, like Lego bricks, that can be pulled out and dealt with as if they can stand on their own. The Bible—a compilation of 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and 31,102 verses- is treated like a big box of Legos. We assemble the verses into a picture that we choose and think the worldview and theology built is biblical because all of the parts are from the Bible. Yet, when we focus on individual verses, picking and choosing from various parts of the Bible, we risk forming an image that mirrors our thoughts and beliefs rather than being challenged by the scripture that reflects the image of Jesus.

A Collective Journey of Understanding:

Our task is not merely to decide what to build with the Lego pieces of scripture. Instead, our responsibility is to work together in reading, interpreting, and applying scripture as a faith community. This collaborative effort ensures that we avoid the trap of picking and choosing Bible verses to fit the image we want to create. It challenges us to focus on the whole message of scripture.

Join the Conversation:

But understanding scripture is not a solitary endeavor. It's a journey best taken in the company of others who share a passion for exploring the depths of faith and scripture. We invite you to be a part of a faith community that wrestles with scripture, the questions we bring to it, and how we live it out.

In our community, we value diversity in thought and interpretation. We understand faith isn't about conformity in how scripture is interpreted and applied but rather a shared exploration of its profound meaning. Join us in this journey of faith and understanding, where questions are welcomed and grace abounds.

Conclusion:

Breaking out of a Lego-building way of reading scripture and instead understanding the context empowers us to approach the Bible more deeply and accurately. In our faith journey, let us remember that, just as Lego pieces form a cohesive creation, scripture verses combine to convey a unified message. Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts that delve deeper into essential aspects of faith and understanding.


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The Purpose Of Worship: Shaping Our Lives Beyond Sunday

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Why do we gather for worship? In a world where we can connect with God anywhere, anytime, what's the purpose of coming together in a physical space? These are questions that challenge us to reflect on the true meaning and impact of corporate worship in our lives. It's easy to fall into the mindset that God is only present in church, that our spiritual lives are compartmentalized to Sunday mornings. We may give God fleeting thoughts throughout the week, but often fail to recognize His constant presence in every moment. This limited view of worship can lead us to treat it as a duty—something we do for an hour each week before returning to our "real" lives. But what if worship is meant to be so much more? The truth is, we don't come together simply to worship God—though that's certainly part of it. We gather to be shaped by our worship, to be transformed in ways that impact how we live when we leave the building. Our time of corporate worship should change our hearts, broaden our perspectives, and equip us to live differently in the world. Consider how gathering with diverse believers challenges us to expand our view of the global church. When we worship alongside those who may not look like us, believe exactly as we do, or come from our background, we get a glimpse of what the triumphant church in heaven will look like—a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue. This experience breaks us out of our tendency to surround ourselves only with those who are similar to us. Our acts of worship also shape us in practical ways: Offering our tithes and gifts teaches us to live generously beyond the walls of the church. Reading Scripture together equips us to encounter God's Word on our own throughout the week. Praying for one another's joys and sorrows reminds us that God is at work in the world and that He hears our prayers. Receiving a benediction and blessing sends us out with strength for the days ahead. The blessing we receive isn't just for our own benefit. Throughout Scripture, we see that God blesses His people so that they can be a blessing to others. From Abraham to the nation of Israel, God's pattern is clear: "I will bless you... so that you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). As we leave our time of worship, we should overflow with blessing to everyone we encounter. This leads us to a crucial question: If our lives are no different when we walk out of church than when we walked in, what was the point? If we haven't truly encountered the living God, been challenged by His Word, or been moved to live differently as His disciples, then our time together has missed the mark. As followers of Christ, we believe that our faith journey is incremental. We don't become perfect the moment we decide to follow Jesus. Instead, it's a daily process of growing in our love for God, for His people, and for His creation. Each day, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we strive to demonstrate that love more fully in our words and actions. This is the essence of discipleship—a continual journey of becoming more like Christ. While we believe it's possible to be made perfect in love during our earthly lives, it's not something we can achieve on our own or claim for ourselves. As John Wesley wisely noted, those who believed they had attained perfection in love were often the furthest from it. So why do we gather? We come together to be commissioned, to be reminded of Jesus' call to His disciples: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). This isn't about forcing our faith on others or cornering unwilling listeners. Rather, it's about being prepared to engage with those who are questioning, searching for meaning, or struggling to find hope. Despite what headlines might suggest, the world isn't dominated by militant atheists or those adamantly opposed to faith. Instead, there are countless individuals who are simply unsure, who have genuine questions about life's purpose and meaning. Our call is to live in such a way that our faith stands out—demonstrating joy, peace, and an unshakable assurance grounded in our relationship with God. Your story of faith doesn't have to be a dramatic before-and-after tale. Perhaps you've grown up in the church, gradually deepening your relationship with Christ over time. That journey is just as powerful and worth sharing. The key is to reflect on how your time in worship impacts the other 167 hours of your week. As our worship experience shapes us, it should naturally overflow into a different kind of worship outside the church walls: Giving thanks to God for His blessings Offering hope to the hopeless Praying for those who are hurting Seeking out those who are lost or questioning Our task isn't to have all the answers or to dictate what others should believe. Instead, we're called to listen, to walk alongside those who are searching, and to share how God has worked in our own lives. This is how we can see transformation and healing in our communities. Ultimately, our weekly gathering serves to recharge us spiritually. When the world beats us down and we feel our spiritual batteries draining, we come together again to pray, sing, hear God's Word, and be blessed and sent out anew. We remind each other of who we are in Christ and find the strength, hope, and courage we need for the week ahead. This is why we gather. This is why we worship. Not just as an end in itself, but as a means of becoming who God has called us to be—His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs His love. As we leave our time of worship, may we go with this commission ringing in our ears: to welcome the unwanted, to love the unloved, and if they won't come to us, to go to them. Let our worship be more than a weekly ritual. Let it be the catalyst that transforms our lives and, through us, brings hope and healing to our world.
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