God is God

This post is partly in response to a post by my dear friend and sister in Christ, Lauren. I recommend reading it first, for it will help you better understand portions of what I will be discussing.

I was talking with Pastor Bob at Roosevelt yesterday about my New Testament class at Arizona State University, and he described my teacher’s approach to studying the Bible very well. He said that instead of delving into the Word and drawing from it, my professor is over viewing the text and criticizing its contents by tapping outside sources.

It is hard to turn studying for a class that approaches the Bible in the described way into an act of worship…especially when the answers on the back of the note cards are found using this method. My mind says, “Hey, maybe I can make seeking the true answers to his questions avodah!” But then, of course, I find out that not all of the answers are there to discover.

Within our conversation, Pastor Bob went on to reiterate how dangerous that approach to interpreting the Bible can be. He said this:

“When we judge His Word against things apart from His Word, we are in fact putting ourselves in the position of God Himself.”

This got me asking questions:

“As I am studying the Bible from an academic viewpoint, am I truly remembering God is sovereign and that we are not? Do I understand that although my intentions are to better comprehend His Word, some of the answers I am searching for may not be available? And if I recognize that, am I satisfied by it? And if I am not, should I not be looking within myself and asking God why that is?”

As obvious as it may sound, learning to remember that Eddie is not sovereign was worth taking the class for, I believe. Although, I am sure I would have realized it eventually. :)

Now I know this is turning into a long read, but hear me out. The following two songs summarize my thoughts concerning my secular Bible classes profoundly well. I encourage you to read through and analyze their words, and to think and pray about how they relate to your own life. I cannot stress this enough: these songs have been instrumental in helping me grasp on to a Godly approach to challenges to my faith. Please, take the time to read them!

Steven Curtis Chapman \ Bring It On

I didn’t come lookin’ for trouble
And I don’t want to fight needlessly
But I’m not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something’s coming down
But if it’s gonna make me grow stronger then…

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the
thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the
hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, maybe you’re thinkin’ I’m crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
‘Cause I know I’ve got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender

Now, I don’t want to sound like some hero
‘Cause it’s God alone that my hope is in
But I’m not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the
thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let it make
me fall on the One who’s strong
Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the
thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let me be made weak so I’ll know
the strength of the One who’s strong
Bring it on
Bring it on

Steven Curtis Chapman \ God Is God

And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don’t know

And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God

And the sky begins to thunder
And I’m filled with awe and wonder
‘Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I

Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass

Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through
Him and from Him are all things

So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone