There are other options for possible metaphors that move us away from the owner’s manual for life (OMFL) approach to the bible. The bible as classic, inspired classic, is one option but what about reading the bible the way we would read a jazz score?
The OMFL approach has us combing the text for whatever we think might apply in our lives right here right now. The problem is over time what applies right here right now, doesn’t apply 50 years later right here right now. We have found that model desperately wanting.
But a jazz score? Ahhhh….here is a metaphor with some traction. In jazz you immerse yourself in the score of the composer. You need to know that score inside and out. Why? Because there is going to come a time during the performance where you as the trombonist get to improvise. And your improvisation must be in continuity with the score. A couple things are very important here. Improvisation builds on the score. It isn’t a repetition of the notes on the page, but it is in continuity with the score. In other words the improvisation ought to smell of the original score but have it’s own contribution in how it echoes it.
There is another important piece when it comes to the continuity. When I play in a jazz group my improvisation not only needs some continuity with the score but it needs to riff and echo the way others in the group are improvising as well. In other words I have a community I am responsible to for how I am doing my riffing. They will give me feedback on how well it reflects the score and the echoing of say the trumpet and sax player in the group. So I am not just free to do anything I want I have a “community” that holds me accountable.
Are you doing the parallel study? Our reading of the biblical text isn’t to duplicate what they did in the New Testament. I am sick and tired of hearing that the goal of the church is to be an Acts 2 church. See our previous postwhere we selectively pick and choose what that means.
I know that sounds like heresy. But I don’t sell all I have and give it to the elders of a local church, I don’t have slaves, women can braid their hair, concubines aren’t legal. I suppose you could say we are trying to duplicate the NT in that we are trying to love God and love neighbor; true and true. What we are really trying to do though is build on the score of the NT. That is right move beyond the score. Immerse in it for sure. But the goal isn’t to “replay” the NT. The goal isn’t to find, memorize and recite quips and quotes. The goal is to improvise in our world and contexts in continuity with the score of Scripture. We are asking questions, facing issues, wrestling with global problems not remotely in the purview of the biblical text. Our only solution is to read it as a jazz score and to improvise!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay!!!! That creates a whole metaphor I can relate to!!!!!
I want to ‘play’ a bit with this…. but at my ‘gut level’ it really resonates with me!
Ron….thanks so much for your openness in sharing with us!!!
When Jesus came he presented radical new ideas, why shouldn’t it be the same today. It’s not about duplicating the past, but moving forward with how God interacts with us and who we are today. I look forward to hearing more about the different metaphors.