My Favorite Scripture Is…
Different people like different things. This feels like an obvious statement until we encounter something popular, that lots of other people like, that we do not. This week that conversation has been around music. As someone who likes an eclectic array of music (and no- this isn’t that old joke about liking both kinds of music, country AND western), I got to thinking about what peoples’ tastes in Scripture might tell us about them. If someone likes bagpipe music, we might jump to the conclusion that they are Scottish. If their favorites include Gregorian chant, odds are good they have studied music history and theory. This works for letting people enjoy things, not having to all agree on matters of taste, not my cup of tea, but you do you mentality. Where this does not work is Scripture. As readers of Scripture, studiers of Scripture, there are going to be things we wrestle with. We aren’t supposed to like all of it, especially the bits that convict us, but that does not give us permission to dismiss it so lightly. So, what do we do when we encounter a Scripture that we dislike? Or a person who has a favorite that we cannot stand?
When we dislike a Scripture or, as Christ would put it, a difficult teaching, what do we do? Well, three things. 1. Vent about it. 2. Seek to understand it. 3. Learn and grow from it.
What do I mean by vent about a Scripture? I find that getting on my soapbox, having it all out, tears down the walls I would build and leaves me in a position to ask again, what would God have me learn from this Scripture? I have at least one that I am still wrestling with. I’ve ranted before about throw pillows that feature those ubiquitous words from Joshua “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. To me, it is a thinly veiled threat that carries on a grand tradition of those who have religious power using it as an excuse to enact violence on others, but sure, it looks great on your throw pillow. And out of context, it’s great. But it’s never the whole chapter… just that one verse. You miss the bit where those who disobeyed Joshua, not God, but Joshua, were annihilated in previous chapters. And not just the transgressors, but their whole family. Why is this even included in Scripture? Fair question.
My belief is that it is included as a lesson from which we learn what NOT to do. There are several times where Moses or Joshua disobeyed God and were met with grace, kindness, help, and more chances. Joshua, after giving a history lesson about every time they have destroyed an entire people group who was in the way, reminds people that they can choose to serve God or serve other gods. He leaves off the bit where if you choose to not serve God, we will destroy you too.
By knowing what I think and feel about this Scripture, I am in a position to acknowledge that I carry a bias against it. That’s a good first step in opening my heart and mind to hear what God would say to me through this Scripture (even if my understanding that it is a lesson and teaching on what not to do is a fairly solid start).
That leads to step 2: seeking to understand. Reading the writings of others, asking people who list it as their favorite, or just interacting with theologians who see it as instructive in different ways gives me pathways to a deeper understanding of why these verses are in Scripture. As a pastor, I have several resources on this. I could write to an old professor and get their opinion. I have commentaries written by a variety of authors in my personal library plus access to the Bridwell Library at Perkins. I can do what all the kids are doing these days and put it into ChatGPT and ask it why this verse is in Scripture. It might be safer to just Google it though and look at the resources myself.
One understanding of the Joshua verse is that it is aspirational for parents as they raise their children. By declaring their household as being a household for God, instructing their children in Christian teachings, providing opportunities for their children to see healthy relationships modeled, and by demonstrating how to have conflict and resolution as a family, parents can help provide their children with the tools and teachings that will guide them in life and show them Christ’s love. This is the ideal use of this verse and makes having it on coffee mugs or a wall hanging make sense. This understanding of this Scripture speaks to the idea that to choose any god other than God is to choose the poorer option. This does still leave agency and choice with a believer and removes the threat, because the wages of sin is death, we as believers do not have to play a role in the death of others for that to be the result. Following Christ is a choice. Forced belief is no belief. By choosing God, and publicly declaring so, people open themselves up to some criticism, but can also be a witness to the goodness of God.
Which leads us to step 3: learn and grow. When I focus on my soap box rant, I miss all the good that this Scripture carries. When I seek first to understand others, the beauty and depth of this Scripture becomes more apparent. One of the good things about having that rant at the beginning of the process for me, is that I can see how my opinion either does not matter or is softened by the nuance of a greater understanding. God does not want us to study Scripture in a bubble. We have much to learn from tradition, experience, and reason.
What does all this mean? That we have a responsibility as those who believe to read our Scripture, but not take it too far out of context, wrestle with the tough bits, and seek the truth that God would have us hear in studying the Word. We can have bits we like and dislike, but it is the entirety of Scripture that we study, not just the parts that bring us comfort and joy. The next time you crack open your Bible, open up the app, or hit play on the audiobook, I hope you’ll take the time to consider what that Scripture is saying to you today.
