To get overprotective about particular readings of the Bible is always in danger of idolatry.
Interpretation
Being overly protective of specific interpretations of the Bible can lead to a form of idol worship.
N. T. Wright's quote advises against an excessive attachment to particular interpretations of the Bible, warning that such overprotection can shift focus away from the text's true meaning, leading individuals to venerate their interpretations as absolute rather than recognizing them as merely one perspective among many. This highlights the importance of humility in biblical interpretation and understanding that different readings can coexist without becoming idols that distract us from the essence of spiritual understanding.
In practice
During a sermon about humility in faith, this quote can be used to encourage open-mindedness.
The resurrection completes the inauguration of God's kingdom. . . . It is the decisive event demonstrating thet God's kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven." "The message of Easter is that God's new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you're now invited to belong to it.
True worship doesn't put on a show or make a fuss; true worship isn't forced, isn't half-hearted, doesn't keep looking at its watch, doesn't worry what the person in the next pew is doing. True worship is open to God, adoring God, waiting for God, trusting God even in the dark.
Most of the things that really matter require faith. How do I know that my wife loves me? How do I know that Mozarts Jupiter Symphony is sublime and beautiful? There are all sorts of things which come at a more lowly level than that - How do I know that two plus two equals four? There are different layers, different types of knowing.
Without God's Spirit, there is nothing we can do that will count for God's kingdom. Without God's Spirit, the church simply can't be the church.
I'm not a universalist, and the way I talk about final loss is this: People worship idols - money, whatever. Their humanness gets reshaped around the idol - you become like what you worship. That's one of the basic spiritual laws.
We could cope—the world could cope—with a Jesus who ultimately remains a wonderful idea inside his disciples' minds and hearts. The world cannot cope with a Jesus who comes out of the tomb, who inaugurates God's new creation right in the middle of the old one.
Anything that makes it easier to imagine trading places with someone else increases your moral consideration for that other person.
And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin is pride that apes humility.
Oh, I may be devout, but I am human all the same.
The issues which today confront the nation are clearly defined and so fundamental as to directly involve the very survival of the Republic. Are we going to preserve the religious base to our origin, our growth and our progress, or yield to the devious assaults of atheistic or other anti-religious forces? Are we going to maintain our present course toward State Socialism with Communism just beyond or reverse the present trend and regain our hold upon our heritage of liberty and freedom?
If it be true that democracy is based upon the assumption that every man shall serve his fellow man, the organization of democracy should be gradually adapted to that assumption.
All things are manifestations of one thing only.
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