Jeremy Berg is a youth pastor; he's done some Friday is for Friends for us, but I wanted to get this one up today.
I have long been irritated by a common critique or complaint people have after listening to a biblical exposition of a passage. This is especially true of teenagers after hearing their youth pastor unpack a dense portion of, say, Romans. "How does this apply to my life?" "What does this have to do with me?" I believe this simple request, which sounds so reasonable and innocent on the surface, has a darker side that has should at least be considered. Before we explore this darker side let me qualify this statement by saying:
- I believe personal application of the Bible's message is critical. Absolutely critical.
- I believe preachers should help hearers of the Word become doers of the Word. Of course.
- As a youth pastor speaking weekly to teens I really need to work harder at this. I have much room for improvement.
My irritation with the cult of personal application is the self-centered, self-absorbed posture of many as they approach God's Word. Now it seems perfectly appropriate after hearing one of Jesus' parables to ask oneself how his teaching is personally challenging us. But the operative word there is AFTER.
I am concerned about those who approach the text with their own issues and preoccupations already in mind and ask the Word to magically speak to those issues. I am irritated with an attitude (usually well-meaning and unintentional, by the way) that sounds like: "That's a nice story Jesus, but can you please address my problem with __________?" Or, after reading Paul's monumental Letter to the Romans saying, "Wow, Paul, that was some deep stuff! Can we talk about me now?" And a thousand other variations.
The hidden dark side of this posture toward God's Word is that it reveals a deep-seated self-absorption that keeps us at the center of our universe and insists that God and His Word orbit our needs and serve our interests. Do you see a problem with this posture toward God and the text?
Instead, I would like to offer a different posture toward God's Word. In fact, it's the very opposite approach.
- First, let's humbly approach God's Word as we would approach God himself. Let's reverently bow in awe and listen intently to what he is actually saying to us.
- Instead of "applying the Bible to our lives" (which again assumes we are the fixed center point and the Word is just a holy ointment to be applied to our souls) let's instead try to "apply ourselves to the Bible." Put narratively, let's not let give God a convenient place within our own story; but rather find ourselves swept up in God's much larger Story!
- Instead of bringing all of our concerns to the text and forcing it to speak to them, let's instead let God's concerns invite us out of our (relatively) petty preoccupations and into the realm of heavenly realities. "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things" (Col 3:2). Or, as The Message Bible puts it: "Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is. See things from his perspective." When we get a glimpse of "God reality" all of our own earthly concerns are seen in a new light.
- Finally, personal application must come only AFTER one has given God's Word a fair hearing. Let God lead the conversation where He so desires. When we're done letting God's Word speak then we can ask the Spirit to give us a personal assignment in response to God's challenge.
I'm sure there is a better way to say all of this. But I hope you see my point. Now I wonder what you all think.
Am I the only one who has noticed this? Do you agree that many approach the Bible with an irreverent, self-absorbed posture? How should preachers handle the practical application piece? How do you balance (a) letting God's Word have it's way and (b) personal application of its message? What am I missing here?
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AMEN, Brother.
There are too many people who come to Word of God with preconceived notions of how God is supposed to address the needs within their lives rather than listening to what God is saying. I believe if we spend time to listen to what God is saying, the answer to the issues of our heart will be given. Sometimes, the answer is already with our hearts, mind and spirit and will only be revealed when we take time to listen to what He's saying. As we listen even to a word that doesn't seem germane to our issue, His power is able to answer our needs. I remember going to church one Sunday and I had an appointment to see the pastor after the morning service; however, after he finished preaching that morning, I didn't need to see him because God took care of the issue during the preaching of the message. It wasn't that my pastor spoke directly to what was going in my life but it was the fact that I listened to what God was saying that day and He gave me the power to grapple with my struggle.
I completely agree. Actually, I do it all the time. Thank you so much for making me realize it and pray for me that I can get the big picture. Thank you.
I agree with Mr. Berg. My husband is a minister and he always brings this up especially about certain verses that people hone in on. He'll ask, "did you read the verses surrounding that verse to get the full context?" I believe, as mentioned, when you read the Word you need to be open to God. His answer may not come directly from what you've read but because you are open to Him, your answer will come regardless. Open your heart when you open His Word.
I agree with the article but take issue with saying basically that our preoccupations could be petty. "Petty" preoccupations have a spiritual component to them. A teenager who feels bad that nobody likes him could be struggling with his self-image or just plain unfriendly. Either care, his concern is related to a deeper issue. The biblical narrative, as a whole, tells him that he is worthy in God's sight, and also that he must always remember love and faithfulness. A good reputation is something that God wants for us.
Set your sights on things above could mean theological truths- Lordship of Christ, Our creation in God's image, etc. Things below could refer to what the world looks at when it encounters reality.
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