Update

This is a follow up and frankly probably not of real interest to many, but it is of interest to me. It has to do with the "virgin text" I spoke of a month or so back. I had purchased a new Bible, an English Standard Version, and was attempting to read it without marking in it. I have a tendency to do a great deal of underlining, note taking, marking in my Bibles.

It is time to confess. I did pick up a pencil after a few weeks and start making tick marks here and there. Then I started underlining words, not sentences mind you, just a word or two here and there. And I made an occasional " < " in the margin to signify something important.  To satisfy my deeper need to take notes, I read with a steno-pad beside me and make notes there.

What I would like to "note" is this...it is actually quite revealing to read a clean text of scripture. I am seeing things that I had not seen before and I am able to retain my focus on the text and not the markings to think about why I may have made that mark or note in previous readings. It really is fun and quite rewarding.  In fact it is reshaping my theology it a great degree.

We all come to the text with certain preconceived notions of what we believe about certain doctrines or theologies. There is nothing wrong with that. However, if we force those beliefs on the text that is wrong. On the other hand, if we let the text kick those beliefs around a bit and reshape them into more accurate truths, then that is a good thing. At least, I believe that is a good thing.  Let me give you a rather innocuous example.

In Matthew 12:38-42 Jesus is having a discussion with the scribes and Pharisees about signs. They "wish to see a sign from (him)". Of course Jesus said no sign will be given except the "sign of Jonah". He goes on to say two things about two OT figures, "something greater than Jonah is here" and "something greater than Solomon is here." 

What caught my attention is the "something". Why didn't Jesus say someone? He is obviously referring to the persons. However his greater reference is to the event of judgement. Now your study Bible or a commentary may point you in that direction, but it is much more fun when the text does it!

Well, it obviously doesn't take much to excite me. So I reckon I'll just move along and keep this to myself from now on. Unless of course, there is a revelation from God that just must be shared.

Oh yes....

Merry Christmas!!!