What is the Bible for?

Recently The Christian Century asked dozen of writers to respond to the question "What is the Bible for?" in seven words or less, and then expand on their answer with a few additional sentences. I encourage you to browse all the responses here. They range from the deeply relational to beautiful reflections on thousands of years of theology.

I've been pondering over the past few weeks how I might respond to the same question, especially in light of the deep division, anger, and fear permeating our nation. When some who claim to follow Jesus use the same holy text that I preach from each week to justify their hatred and discrimination. When the prayer "on Earth as it is in Heaven" doesn't just feel naive, it feels impossible.

What is the Bible for in these days?

Remembering God's Boundary Crossing Love

The Bible tells the story of God's love for humanity. It is a love revealed over thousands of years; sung in the Psalms, recorded in the histories, and laid out in the law books. It is a love that is for everyone: those on the inside and on the outside. It is a love that takes special notice of the orphan, widow, and refugee. It is a love that crosses every boundary we try to draw in the sand to keep God's love to ourselves.

The Bible helps us remember that holy love, especially when our own worse impulses try and hide it away. When we read scripture honestly and openly, we find God -- yes, in the pages of scripture, but also on the other side of every boundary in our own world. And maybe, just maybe, the Bible can give us the courage to join God in crossing those boundaries in love.