Bowling and Bible-Reading
I did an experiment once.
I went bowling by myself just to see what it was like. It was horrible.
Everyone looked at me as though I was just released from a mental institution. I mean no one bowls alone. Really. I had a strike, and got to high-five some air. Not as fun as real high-fives. Only having yourself on the scoreboard really makes you feel important. Bowling is never made for just me.
I have been living an experiment.
It isn’t working.
This is it. I try and read my bible alone. Interesting is that this is a relatively new phenomenon. History has never done this until now; the bible was written by communities for communities to build communities. To read my bible alone is like playing ping pong all by my lonesome self. It don’t work. It never can.
Should I be devoted to reading the bible. Yes! Should I at times have times by myself that I encounter the word? Yes! Should I never read the bible by myself? No, of course not!
But…
When we read the bible in the marination of community, with others and for others, for ourselves, we read the bible as we should. In community.
Try that experiment and you will find a God who speaks not just in mono but surround sound.
Try that experiment and you will not see a linear God, but a God who speaks in curve and circle.l
Try that…and it will change you.
Elizabeth Chapin wrote:
So, AJ, just curious how one who is in communion with Christ can really ever read the Bible alone? I understand and agree with your thoughts on the importance of community and hearing God in surround sound, but I think the only people who truly read the Bible alone are those who have not yet been united with Christ, and even then, since the Word is living and active, I bet that anytime a human being engages with the written text Jesus is somehow present. The question then remains, are we tuned in to Him? You think it was absurd to go bowling alone, imagine bowling with someone else but not letting them have a turn, ignoring them when they offer that high five after you make a strike, and acting as if they don’t exist. You think you got crazy looks when bowling alone!?!? Hmmm, I’m going bowling with some friends this weekend, maybe I should try this…..
Posted on 15-Oct-07 at 3:42 pm | Permalink
Beth Bilynskyj wrote:
The premodern worldview didn’t have any concept of “individuality.” that is, discrete, independent existence apart from a community. They understood what it meant to be a person, but not what it meant to be an individual.
Modernism discovers and exalts the individual, from Renaissance artistic geniuses to the lone, absurd heroes of Existentialism.
Postmoderns are groping for a way out of modernist individualism. Could the key be to rediscover the premodern worldview?
Posted on 01-Nov-07 at 1:30 pm | Permalink
jovanni wrote:
Nice theme! I love it!
Posted on 06-Dec-07 at 10:52 pm | Permalink