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TechnoratiIn his Theology of the Old Testament, Brueggemann argues that the Bible contains a "purity trajectory" [that includes any number of repressive commandments] and a "justice trajectory" that demands justice for all minorities [and by extension, to 'sexual minorities']. Brueggemann just nullifies the "purity" texts. "My own judgment is that . . . the justice trajectory has decisively and irreversibly defeated the purity trajectory."
Laypersons and conservative pastors are simply told that they do not understand such sophisticated biblical insights. Brueggemann just promises that we can have the Bible and bless homosexuality, too. Just make justice, rather than purity, your chosen "interpretive trajectory."
In the final analysis, we do not judge the Bible – the Bible judges us. In his Voice of Integrity interview, Brueggemann claims that most people make up their minds about an issue, and then go to the Bible to find support. "I think we basically bring hunches to the Bible that arrive in all sorts of ways and then we seek confirmation." He then added: "And I think that I'm articlulate in helping people make those connections with the hunches they already have."
It is all too true that every reader comes to the Bible with a worldview and certain cherished preconceptions. The real question is whether we are willing to submit everything we are, everything we believe, and everything we think to the authority of God's Word. As Martin Luther reminded us, "We are sinners, it is true." We are sinners commanded to bring every thought captive to Christ – not to submit the Bible to our preferred "interpretive trajectory." The last thing the world needs is liberal theologians encouraging sinners to come to the Bible "to make those connections with the hunches they already have."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, who will preside over the October meeting of Anglican primates called in the aftermath of the Episcopal crisis, reads the Bible much like Professor Brueggemann. Rowan Williams has argued that individual texts offer "bids" for truth in the presence of other "bids," and that the interpreter must decide which "bid" will prevail. Here's a hint: Don't bet on Leviticus, Romans, and 1 Corinthians in this bidding process.
Dean Paul Zahl of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL [Episcopal], sees right through these arguments. The election of the Episcopal church's openly homosexual bishop "demolishes the Good News of salvation." He continued: "It demolishes salvation because it asserts that what Scripture calls sin is not sin. When there is no sin, there is no judgment. Without judgment, there can be no repentance. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness. The Convention decision fashions a god who is oblivious to sin. It thus denies the redemption of the world to a whole category of persons."
Homosexual activists and their supporting cast of liberal theologians are promoting an "interpretive trajectory" that leads straight to hell. That's not just a hunch.
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R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. For more articles and resources by Dr. Mohler, and for information on The Albert Mohler Program, a daily national radio program broadcast on the Salem Radio Network, go to www.albertmohler.com. For information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to www.sbts.edu. Send feedback to mail@albertmohler.com. Original Source: www.albertmohler.com.
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