For the Joy of the Journey

I just finished reading Inspiration and Incarnation by Peter Enns. It was a challenging book but worthy of my time. I will continue to contemplate his theses. I found the following quotes on biblical interpretation to be personally timely and insightful.

Perhaps we should think of biblical interpretation more as a path to walk than a fortress to be defended. Of course there are times when defense is necessary, but the … task of biblical interpretation should not be defined by such. … The burden of “getting it right” can sometimes be discouraging and hinder effective ministry. I would rather think of biblical interpretation as a path we walk, a pilgrimage we take, whereby the longer we walk and take in the surrounding scenes, the more people we stop and converse with along the way, the richer our interpretation will be. Such a journey is not always smooth. At times what is involved is a certain degree of risk and creativity: we may need to leave the main path from time to time to explore less traveled but promising tracks .

… as we attempt to understand scripture, we move further along the path. At the end of the path is not simply gaining of knowledge about the text, but God himself who speaks to us therein. The goal toward which the path is leading is that which set us on the path to begin with: our having been claimed by God as coheirs with the crucified and risen Christ. The reality of the crucified and risen Christ is both the beginning and the end of Christian biblical interpretation.

It is always an option, I suppose, to halt the journey and stand still, or perhaps turn around and walk back a few hundred yards, so as to stand at a safe distance from what lies ahead. we should continue the journey, however, not because we are sure of the footing, but be cause we have faith in God who placed us our journey to begin with.

I had a great Father’s Day. There were expressions of appreciation from all my children and Ann as well as others. I truly appreciate each of them.

This Father’s Day was special for other reasons. For some time, Tanya and Daniel have been talking with their children, nurturing and encouraging them in their relationship with God. Together they decided it was time for them to demonstrate their belief in Jesus as God’s Son and commit their lives to following Him. J. D. and Tiffani Walt are valued friends of the Crocketts and have played an important role in their family’s spiritual journey. Yesterday, Ann and I were invited to join with the Crockett and Walt families to travel to Lake Herrington for worship and fellowship and celebration in the baptism of Jerod, Meredith, Blake and Grayson Crockett. After breakfast together, J.D. led our worship and performed the baptisms.

It was a glorious day. I am so thankful for God’s gracious love. Congratulations Jerod, Meredith, Blake and Grayson and Tanya and Daniel.

Yesterday was the first swim meet if the season. Meredith and her brothers are on the Wilmore Aquatic team this year. The boys are still in baseball so Meredith was the only Crockett participant yesterday. She had an outstanding start. She came in FIRST in everyone of her events. Congratulations Meredith! 

The baseball season is winding down. All of the Gabehart and Crockett boys played baseball this year. Ryan and Kyle were on their middle school teams and are playing league ball also. Tyler is in little league. Tyler and Kyle were selcted as All-Stars. Kyle hit two homers in his last game, a grand slam and a three run homer. Tyler is playing catcher and has had a good year. Ryan is playing with older kids but has done well and has improved over the season.

Grayson is having a great season. He has even been invited to play some games with his brothers’ team. Jerod and Blake play on the same team. Blake has been pitching some and performed well. He hits well and has made some outstanding fielding plays. Jerod continues to play first base and has had a good year including several home runs. Their team won the season championship and will have a tournament next week.