Theses for Tuesday Adult Discussion

Today's "Grace Notes" indicates that the Tuesday Adult Discussion this month will start by discussing "Baptized We Live" and go where the Spirit leads us.

In an effort to avoid having the Tuesday Adult Discussion become just a rehash of what we have already covered in previous Sunday Adult Discussions. I would like to propose the following "theses" concerning Christian beliefs. Although they read as statements of fact, they should instead be considered "theses for discussion," in the spirit of Martin Luther nailing his theses for discussion on the church door in Wuttenburg.

1. "The claim that tradition can be protected from error is false and dangerous. The belief that the Bible is free from error is no less so. Both lead to arrogance and bigotry, and both contradict the facts."

2. "There are not only conflicting factual accounts in the Bible, there are also different and sometimes conflicting theologies, even with respect to Jesus and salvation."

3. "How can a Scripture containing diverse theological views be authoritative? Add to this the morally despicable views in the Bible and the question is forcefully underscored. What does biblical 'authority' mean?"

4. "The dominant concept of 'authority' in the New Testament has to do with the right and power to act creatively. Bibllical authority does not command conformity, it commends freedom. It is formative, not normative -- it is empowerment."

5. "The diversity of viewpoints in the Bible does not undermine its authority. It is a means through which the Bible teaches us to think for ourselves as Christians in new circumstances."

6. "Among the voices of Scripture are those that critique our individualistic notions of salvation, condemn our indifference to the rest of creation, challenge our 'free' market assumptions, and denounce our religious and national exceptionalism."

7. "We are empowered by the diverse voices of Scripture to decide for ourselves how we shall respond to their sharp challenges, but as Christians we cannot avoid wrestling with them."

8. "The Bible is our authority because in our engagement with it, we are authored as Christians. It grants us freedom, guides our thinking, challenges our conclusions, and empowers us to act aresponsibly as citizens of the world."