I can keep my kids busy for quite a while when I tell them that there is a surprise hidden in a certain area of the house. Their determination is unmatched as they search high and low.
It is that kind of determination that Dick Lucas wants to see in Bible readers. Dick Lucas is the former rector at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London. He taught me (along with thousands of others) to look for the surprise in the text of the Bible. I need to have the determination of my kids. I must not rest with my assumptions about God or the bible or humanity. Instead, I need to search high and low the text in front of me to find something that will surprise me. And, above all, I must never assume I know what the passage means before I think about it and certainly not before I even read it.
Now, this doesn’t mean you try to read into the passage a novel meaning or some obscure point. Instead, this “Lucas Lesson” is to keep your eyes out for what the text is actually saying. Don’t import your theological framework (i.e. systematic theology) or assumptions into a text. Instead, allow the text to build your view of God, the world and everything else. This Lucas Lesson is especially important for those who’ve read the Bible for years.
The classic example of this is Acts 10:42-43:
“And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Many people (including Christians, I am sad to say) think that the God of the Old Testament is a god of retribution and judgment, while the God of the New Testament is a god of forgiveness and love.
If you follow the logic of this passage, you see Luke is telling us quite the opposite. Who is commanded to testify that Jesus (“he”) is the appointed judge of all? Only a quick glance at the context shows you the “us” is Peter and the rest of the apostles. And who is it that will “bear witness” to forgiveness and mercy? The prophets.
So, prophets of the Old Testament bear witness to forgiveness through Jesus while the apostles of the New Testament preach that he is Judge. This is not all that can be said about the Old and New Testament views of God and judgment. But, it certainly goes a long way towards showing people from the text that their stated or implied assumption about God and judgment is wrong.
The above Lucas Lesson is quite helpful in itself. But, it also sets the scene for a forthcoming post or two on the following passage:
“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”
What surprise do you see in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20? And certainly don’t limit yourself to this text. Feel free to dive into the context a bit.
Thanks Marty! I also remember that listening to Dick Lucas (at an AFES Conference in Stanwell Tops, I think) teach about how to exegete a Bible passage by paying close attention to the passage, transformed the way I read the Bible and prepared Bible studies.
I guess the obvious surprise in this passage is that Paul has a “boast” when the Lord Jesus returns- other passages seem to suggest thst no-one can boast on that day. But while at first one may think Paul is “boasting” in his own evangelism… that is not actually what the passage says. He is boasting in the Thessalonians! He is, perhaps, rejoicing that the grace of God worked to bring them into the kingdom (through what he did, but that is not the main focus). So in the end it is not a “proud” boast- it is just joy at seeing others come into the kingdom!
Cheers
Neil
Thanks, Neil. Col Marshall in Growth Groups says not to nod your head or say “yes” when someone gives the right answer as it relieves the tension and then everyone loses interest. So, for the sake of keeping what little interest there is going, I’ll just say nice post.
The next two posts are bit more provocative so I will be interested to see if you agree with me. Check back next week if possible.
“Don’t import your theological framework (i.e. systematic theology) or assumptions into a text. Instead, allow the text to build your view of God, the world and everything else.”
This method of reading the Bible was once suggested to me by none other than Marty Sweeney himself and it completely enlightened my understanding of who God is, who man is and what salvation truly is. Much of “Fundamental” Christianity, at least here in America, is shaped by reading the Bible with our presuppositions of what the Bible is going to say or by importing our idea into the Scriptures and finding ways for them to back up our own theological framework. When I started using the Bible to interpret the Bible rather than my own opinions (or what I had been taught growing up) it helped me grow spiritually by leaps and bounds. Here’s to looking for more surprises. Thanks Marty.
Tim,
Thanks for the kind words. I share your experience – except the bit about learning this all from me. I grew quite a bit in my spiritual knowledge as I got out of the way of myself and allowed the Bible to set the agenda for my system.