There are many ways to tackle this subject. However, for the brief time we have, I want to explore the theme examining how Jesus approached the Scriptures of His day.
First though, some thoughts about the implied verb: thinking. We often define the word as a matter of logic or a left-brained approach – researching etymologies and context, analyzing, discussing, even debating, seeking core truths and probable implications. Jesus employed both sides of His brain but His default approach seems more right-brained [visual, feeling, and intuitive], which we see clearly in His parables. This preference shaped how the left side was applied, and together, His use of the whole mind, I believe, provides a framework for an authentic approach.
Before offering perspective on this part of our vision statement, I want to comment on it from a negative angle. Early in Mark 2 and Luke 5 and slightly delayed in Matthew 9, Jesus encounters strong opposition from the religious community. That opposition increases until, allied with political forces, they turn Jesus over to Pilate. The two main opponent groups are the Scribes and Pharisees, and Jesus singles them out in Matthew 23 – “Woe to you …”
1. Scribes [experts on and teachers of the law; lawyers] exemplify the struggle of talent. Able people, such as Scribes, see deeper and faster and wider than the rest of us.
It’s a powerful gift, but like power itself, the seed of corruption is woven into the DNA. Commonly, it emerges as some expression of hubris.
Instead of the Scribes’ learning being subservient to the Word and the Spirit, it rises above both.
I once heard this voiced by a very talented person as “the Bible at its best”. What this incredibly able man was doing was using his mostly left-brained filters to judge the Scriptures, and any parts that didn’t measure up to his standards were either minimized or set aside completely.
Authenticity demands our best, but our best must be offered in humble service to God and God’s people.
2. Pharisees used a different left-brained filter. While the Scribes’ hubris of the mind had a focus on theology, the Pharisees’ hubris of the mind had a focus on ethics.
No doubt pride can take root in the right-side of our perspective, but from Gospel encounters with Jesus, those from the left side seem to be more prevalent in thinking about the Scriptures.
3. There is a third filter that Jesus casts in a negative light, though it is rarely as confrontational as the hubris of the mind. In fact, it is almost a polar opposite.
The common crowd brought not hubris into thinking, but sloth. They bought into the prevailing truth with little reflection [John 9, Matthew 21:1-9], almost unfiltered superstition.
From a more positive angle, I’ll make some observations on Jesus’ style.
1. Jesus used what I call a big picture context filter. This is God’s character of holiness and mercy, compassion and righteousness as well as God’s sovereign power. Jesus starts with those over-arching perceptions and goes narrow and focused. The large image of who God is and what God desires manages the specifics, whether it is inviting others to take a second look, reframing a tradition, or offering a new teaching to embrace.
This approach takes specific Scriptures and expands, deepens, and modifies the law [see Matthew 5]. Mark 7 provides an example of Corban as the wrong way of changing law versus the right way.
It corrects errors and omissions [e.g. Luke 4:16-30]. God’s people had narrowed mercy to us, judgment to them. Jesus leaves out judgment and includes Gentiles [Matthew 22/Mark 12/Luke 20]. Jesus adjusts concepts around the relationship between David and God’s anointed; parables of grace [e.g. sower, prodigal son] bring to the fore an understated attribute of God.
Jesus’ approach introduces major new understanding [See Luke 24]. This account is a left- and right-brain one-two.
2. Jesus could fit into modern strands of the Jewish faith; he was reformed as well as orthodox and conservative [See Matthew 13:51,52]. As our ordination vows affirm, God may grant us additional or new insights through the Spirit. His use of story emphasizes openness to newness and growth and affirmed wonder as an essential partner with wisdom.
Jesus reconfigured the family [Matthew 12:46-50], the whole concept of Messiah [Matthew 16:21-23, 22:41-46], the understanding of the law [Matthew 5:21-48], and especially God’s grace [Matthew 8:5-13, 18:23-35; Luke 4:25-27; John 8:3-11].
3. Don’t major on the minors. For example, do you not think Jesus was aware of the challenges of stories like Jonah and Daniel’s fiery furnace? Doubtless, we are far more accomplished technologically and scientifically than those ancients, but thinkers like Aristotle and mathematicians like Pythagoras could doubtless hold their own in today’s campuses and laboratories.
Jesus didn’t lose sight of the forest because the occasional tree seemed out of place. In fact, he adds to the challenge of Jonah by making the fishy part of the tale a sign of His own death and resurrection [Matthew 12].
We should be no quicker to diminish these troublesome stories than Jesus was.
4. As Jesus placed Himself in obedience under God’s authority and God’s Word given through the law and the prophets, He was given a fuller grasp of God’s will and purpose [Matthew 5:17-20, John 14:15-26; 16:5-10].
The apostles continued that practice as the gospel or new covenant gathered in the Gentiles.
In conclusion, I share a warning: Jesus was crucified. Authentic Biblical Thinking (ABT) essentially led to Jesus’ death. It is a dangerous venture. Nonetheless, I would also contend that ABT begins at the cross, when you and I humbly submit our gifts to comprehend the word to the One who is the Word.
ABT begins with a prayer: “Lord if you open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my mind to understand, and give me a heart to obey, then I will have words of life to speak. Grant me courage also to express what you would have me teach.