Session2—UsingScriptureinCommunityofChrist   Materials x DVDworksheet x GlossaryofTerms x CopyofDoctrineandCovenants163:7 x “ScriptureinCommunityofChrist”(scripturestatement) x ScriptofDVDpresentation x DiscussionQuestions 

DVDWorksheetQuestions 1. HowistheuseofscriptureuniqueinCommunityofChristascomparedtootherfaithcommunities? useofBible,BookofMormonandDoctrineandCovenants   2. InCommunityorChristweseektounderstandscriptureinlightofthe___Christevent_____.  3. Scriptureisan_indispensablewitness__ofthesaving,transformingmessagethatGodhas entrustedtothechurch.  4. Accordingtothespeaker,whattwoquestionsshouldweapplywhenusingandinterpretingscripture? a. DotheseunderstandingsreflectthelifeofJesus?  b. IsthistrulywhatJesuswoulddo?  5. Rateyouownunderstandingandinterpretationonthiscontinuum.PlaceanXonyourposition.  |ͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲ| Scriptureisthe Scriptureisabout LivingWord,written theLivingWord,written bythehandofGod byhumanwitnessesabout  theirencounterswithGod    6. Ourunderstandingof__scripture__isshapedbyourfaith,tradition,experience,andscholarship.  7. TheultimatestandardforGod’srevelationinscriptureis______JesusChrist______. 

17  8. BarbaraCarterstatesthat“WehavethepromisethattheHolySpiritwillguideJesus’disciplesintonew truth.(italicsadded)Whatismeantbythephrase“newtruth”? ǦǦNorightanswer,justamatterofpersonalresponseǦǦ  9. WhydoweincludetheBookofMormonandDoctrineandCovenantsaspartofourcanon? becausetheyconfirmthemessagethatJesusChrististheLivingWord   GlossaryofTerms Hermeneutics:therulesoneusesforsearchingoutthemeaningsofwritings,particularlyofscripturaltexts (usedintheoutline)  Canon:ThebooksofscriptureconstitutedbytheHebrewBibleandNewTestamentandconsidered authoritativeinthelargerChristianchurch.  ProofͲtext:thepracticeofusingquotationsfromadocumenttoestablishaproposition.Criticsofthe techniquenotethatoftenadocumentquotedinsuchamanner,whenreadasawhole,maynotinfact supportthepropositionforwhichitwascited.  FromWikipediathisexample:  AmandissatisfiedwithhislifedecidedtoconsulttheBibleforguidance.Closinghiseyes,heflipped thebookopenandpointedtoaspotonthepage.Openinghiseyes,hereadtheverseunderhisfinger. Itread,“ThenJudaswentawayandhangedhimself”(Matthew27:5b).Closinghiseyesagain,theman randomlyselectedanotherverse.Thisoneread,“Jesustoldhim,‘Goanddolikewise’“(Luke10:37b). 

DoctrineandCovenants163:7

a.ScriptureisanindispensablewitnesstotheEternalSourceoflightandtruth,whichcannotbefully containedinanyfinitevesselorlanguage.Scripturehasbeenwrittenandshapedbyhumanauthors throughexperiencesofrevelationandongoinginspirationoftheHolySpiritinthemidstoftimeand culture.

b.Scriptureisnottobeworshipedoridolized.OnlyGod,theEternalOneofwhomscripturetestifies,is worthyofworship.God’snature,asrevealedinJesusChristandaffirmedbytheHolySpirit,providesthe ultimatestandardbywhichanyportionofscriptureshouldbeinterpretedandapplied.

c.ItisnotpleasingtoGodwhenanypassageofscriptureisusedtodiminishoroppressraces,genders,or classesofhumanbeings.MuchphysicalandemotionalviolencehasbeendonetosomeofGod’sbeloved childrenthroughthemisuseofscripture.Thechurchiscalledtoconfessandrepentofsuchattitudesand practices.

18  d.Scripture,propheticguidance,knowledge,anddiscernmentinthefaithcommunitymustwalkhandin handtorevealthetruewillofGod.Followthispathway,whichisthewayoftheLivingChrist,andyouwill discovermorethansufficientlightforthejourneyahead.

 ScriptureinCommunityofChrist Preamble Scriptureprovidesdivineguidanceandinspiredinsightforlifewhenresponsiblyinterpretedandfaithfully applied.ScripturehelpsusbelieveinJesusChrist.Itswitnessguidesustoeternallifeandenablesusto growspiritually,totransformourlives,andtoparticipateactivelyinthelifeandministryofthechurch.  AffirmationOne WedeclarethatJesusChrist—wholived,wascrucified,wasraisedfromthedead,andcomesagain—isthe LivingWordofGod.ItistoChristthatscripturepoints.ItisthroughChristthatwehavelife(John5:39–40). ItisChristwhomwemusthear(Mark9:7).  AffirmationTwo WefindtheLivingWordinandthroughscripture.Scriptureistheindispensablewitnessofthesaving, transformingmessagethatGodhasentrustedtothechurch.Thechurchformedthecanonofscriptureso thatitmightalwayshaveawaytohearthegoodnews,nurtureitsfaith,measureitslife,testits experience,andrememberitsidentity.  AffirmationThree Scriptureisalibraryofbooksthatspeaksinmanyvoices.Thesebookswerewrittenindiversetimesand places,andreflectthelanguages,cultures,andconditionsunderwhichtheywerewritten.God’srevelation throughscripturedoesnotcometousapartfromthehumanityofthewriters,butinandthroughthat humanity.Intheearthenvesselsofscripturewehavebeengiventhetreasureofdivineloveandgrace(2 Corinthians4:7).  AffirmationFour Scripture’sauthorityisderivedfromthemodelofChrist,whocametobeaservant(Mark10:45). Therefore,theauthorityofscriptureisnottheauthoritytooppress,control,ordominate.IfJesuscameto serve,howmuchmoreshouldthebooksthatpointtohimbetreatedasaservantofthesavingpurposes ofGod.  AffirmationFive Scriptureisvitalandessentialtothechurch,butnotbecauseitisinerrant(inthesensethateverydetailis historicallyorscientificallycorrect).Scripturemakesnosuchclaimforitself.Rather,generationsof Christianshavefoundscripturesimplytobetrustworthyinkeepingthemanchoredinrevelation,in promotingfaithinChrist,andinnurturingthelifeofdiscipleship.Forthesepurposes,scriptureis unfailinglyreliable(2Timothy3:16–17).  

19   AffirmationSix Faith,experience,tradition,andscholarshipeachhavesomethingtocontributetoourunderstandingof scripture.Inwrestlingtohearandrespondtothewitnessofscripture,thechurchmustvaluethelightthat eachofthesesourcesmayoffer.  AffirmationSeven Asthechurchtriestointerpretscriptureresponsibly,itseeksthehelpoftheHolySpirit.Jesuspromised thattheSpiritwouldguidehisdisciplesintonewtruth(John16:12–15).BytheSpirit,theancientwordsof scripturecanbecomerevelatory,allowingustograspwhatmaynothavebeenseenorheardbefore.  AffirmationEight Disciplesarecalledtogrowintheirknowledgeandunderstandingofthescripturessothattheymayever increaseinloveforGod,neighbor,andself(Matthew22:37–40;Mosiah1:49),upholdthedignityand worthofallpersons(DoctrineandCovenants16:3c–d),andfaithfullyfollowthewayofJesusChrist.  AffirmationNine WithotherChristians,weaffirmtheBibleasthefoundationalscriptureforthechurch.Inaddition,the CommunityofChristusestheBookofMormonandtheDoctrineandCovenantsasscripture.Wedonot usethesesacredwritingstoreplacethewitnessoftheBibleorimproveuponit,butbecausetheyconfirm itsmessagethatJesusChrististheLivingWordofGod(PrefaceoftheBookofMormon;Doctrineand Covenants76:3g).WehaveheardChristspeakinallthreebooksofscripture,andbearwitnessthatheis “aliveforeverandever”(Revelation1:18).

ForourtimeweshallseektoliveandinterpretthewitnessofscripturebytheSpirit,withthecommunity, forthesakeofmission,inthenameofthePrinceofPeace.

Questionsforindividualandgroupreflectionanddiscussionaboutthisstatementcanbefoundat www.CofChrist.org/ourfaith/scripture.asp



DraftScript:UsingScriptureinCommunityofChrist Hi!IamBarbaraCarter.IamafulltimeministerintheCommunityofChristservingthechurchinthe NortheastField.Itismypleasuretobewithyoutodayasweexplore“UsingscriptureintheCommunityof Christ”.

PresidentVeazeyhassharedwithusamodelorapproachweuseintheCommunityofChristtoseek understandingofGod’spurposesforthechurch.Sixlenseswereidentifiedincludingscripturewhichisthe primaryfocusofthisDVDresource.Whydoweneedtogivespecialattentiontotheunderstandinganduseof scripture?ArenotallofthelensesforseekingGodvaluable?Ofcoursetheyare.However,fromthebeginning oftherestorationmovementwehaveheldauniquebeliefthatscriptureisaliveandcontinuallybeing revealedandinterpreted.Weholdcontinuingrevelationasanenduringprincipleofourfaiththatfinds expressioninscripture,ourlivesandintheworld.TheBookofMormon,DoctrineandCovenants,andThe

20  HolyScriptures,InspiredVersionaretangibleexpressionsthatusingscriptureintheCommunityofChristis unique.

TheCommunityofChristStatementonScriptureidentifiesnineaffirmationsthathelpususescripture faithfully.Let’stakealookattheseaffirmations.

First.WedeclarethatJesusChrististheLivingWordofGod!ItistoChristthatscripturepoints.Thisdoesnot meanthateverywritinginthescripturesisaboutJesusratheritmeansthatweseektounderstandscripture inlightoftheChristevent.Wedonotworshipscripture,oridolizeit.Itissacred,andwecherishitbecauseit helpsusknowwhoJesusis.Scriptureexpandsourunderstandingofotherswhochosetobefollowersofthe wayandallowsustoseeGodthroughtheireyes.WhatawonderfullegacythepoetsofthePsalmsleftus. Justthinkwhatwewouldbemissingifwedidn’thavePsalm100.

MakeajoyfulnoisetotheLORD,alltheearth. WorshiptheLORDwithgladness; comeintotheLORD’spresencewithsinging. KnowthattheLORDisGod. ItistheLORDthatmadeus,andtotheLORDwebelong; wearetheLORD’speople,andthesheepoftheLORD’spasture.

Whenwespendtimeinthescriptures,wecanfindafullerexpressionoftheChrist,theLivingWord.

ThesecondaffirmationrecognizesthatthatwefindtheLivingWordinandthroughscripture.Scriptureisan indispensablewitnessofthesaving,transformingmessagethatGodhasentrustedtothechurch.Insection 163:7aoftheDoctrineandCovenantsweread:

ScriptureisanindispensablewitnesstotheEternalSourceoflightandtruth,whichcannotbefully containedinanyfinitevesselorlanguage.

Whatdoesindispensablewitnessmean?ItisthewitnessofGodmoving,touching,inspiring,andbeingwith peoplethroughtheages.ItisthewitnessoftheresponseofthepeopletoGod’smercifulloveintheirlife. Wehavethiswonderfulgiftthatsharesthestoriesofhumanitystrugglingtobefaithfulintheirresponseto God’slove.Thechurchhastakenthestories,experiences,andhistoryandformedthecanonofscripture,so thatwe,youandI,areremindedofGod’sloveforallofhumanity.Scriptureprovidesuswithmemorythat helpsshapeandpreserveouridentityandcalling.AsCommunityofChristweacknowledgeourcanonasopen tonewunderstandingsofGod’spurposes.Thiscallseverygenerationofbelieverstobeengagedinlisteningto God’sdirection.

Third,scriptureisnotonebook,butmanybooks.Itisnotonevoice,itismanyvoices.Itdoesnotrepresent oneculture,butmanycultures.Itisnotsetinonetimeandplace,butmany.Itwasnotwritteninone language,butinseverallanguages.TheBiblehasbeenwrittenandrewritten.BiblicalScholarBartD.Ehrman, remindsuscandidly:

Wedon’thavethefirstcopiesoftheoriginals.Wedon’thavethecopiesofthecopiesoftheoriginals. WhatwehavearecopiesmadelaterͲͲͲmuchlater.Inmostinstances,theyarecopiesmadecenturies later.Andthesecopiesalldifferfromoneanother…therearemoredifferencesamongour

21  manuscriptsthantherearewordsintheNewTestament.–BartD.Ehrman,MisquotingJesus:The StoryBehindWhoChangedtheBibleandWhy,(NewYork:HarperSanFrancisco,2005),10.

Clearlytherearesomeaccidentalerrorsinthetransmissionoftheancienttext.However,somechangeswere intentionalreflectingnewpointsofemphasisorunderstanding.ThiswastheexperienceofJosephSmithin theshapingofscriptureintheearlyrestorationmovement.Thisdoesnotdemeanornegatethevalueor sacrednessofscripture.God’srevelationdoesnotcometousapartfromthehumanityofthewritersand storytellers,butinandthroughthathumanity.GoddoesnotallowusglimpsesofwhoGodisinsterile environmentsvoidofhumanity.ItisinourhumannessthatweglimpseGod.Laterinthisresourcewewill explorethisunderstandinginthestudyoftheslavelawsfoundintheTorah(ourfirstfivebooksoftheOld Testament).

Fourth.Scripture’sauthorityisderivedfromthemodelofChrist.Thisauthorityrestsinasimpleunderstanding ofChristasservant–God’smessageofloveandredemptionfortheworld.Whenweusescripture,weshould askourselves:DotheseunderstandingsreflectthelifeofChrist?IsthistrulywhatJesuswoulddo?Recent counseltothechurchremindsus:

ItisnotpleasingtoGodwhenanypassageofscriptureisusedtodiminishoroppressraces,genders,or classesofhumanbeings.MuchphysicalandemotionalviolencehasbeendonetosomeofGod’s belovedchildrenthroughthemisuseofscripture.Thechurchiscalledtoconfessandrepentofsuch attitudesandpractices.–D&C163:7c

OneofmyfirstexperienceswithscripturalmemorizationhappenedwhenIwaseightyearsold.Itwasalively discussion(caneightyearoldshavelivelydiscussions?)withafriendaboutwhichchurchwasright.This discussionwasoccurringwhileswingingfromrungtorungonthemonkeybarsduringrecess.Iwasquoting scripture,aswasshe.Neitherofusconvincedtheotherofourpointofview.Webothjustendedupinamud puddleunderthebars.WhatisreallyinterestingisIlearnedlaterthatwhatIwasquotingasscripturewas actuallywordsfromahymnintheChildren’shymnal.Neithermywords,oractionspointedtothelifeof Christ;theywerenotintendedtobringreconciliationtotheworld(inthiscasemyfriendship),norexpressthe loveofGod.Insteadtheywerespokeninanattempttomakemelookandfeelright.

Weliveinatimewhenmuchgainistobemadewhenweareseparatedfromeachother.Whenour differencesareexposedandexploitedandweareurgedtodistrustandfeareachother.Scriptureshavebeen usedforthispurpose.Muchpersonalpainandhurtistheresult.Thepainandhurtdoesnotendwiththe intendedvictims,butitcontinuesintotheheartoffaithcommunitiesthatstruggletorightthemselveswith thescripturesthattestifyofGod’slove.TheCommunityofChriststandsresolvedthatscripturecanneverbe usedtooppress,control,ordominateothers.Ratherscriptureistobeappliedinamannerthataffirmsthe modelofJesus’lifeandministry.

Fifth.Scriptureisvitalandessentialtothechurch.GenerationsofChristianshavefoundittobetrustworthyin keepingthemanchoredinrevelation,promotingfaithinChristandinnurturingtheirjourneyofdiscipleship. Forthesepurposes,scriptureisunfailinglyreliable.Thisdoesnotmean,however,thatscriptureisinerrantor infallible.WhilescripturalinfallibilityisacceptedinsomepocketsofChristianity,itisnottheexperienceofthe restorationmovementandnotabeliefoftheCommunityofChrist.FormerPresidentJosephSmithIII remindedusearlyinourmovementthatnothingpassingthroughhumanhandscanbeinfallible.Former memberoftheFirstPresidency,F.HenryEdwardsreiteratesthissameunderstandingandprovidesinteresting insightonwhybiblicalinfallibilitygarnersattention:

22  Itisbecauseournaturalspiritualinertiahasthusledustoseekastandardratherthanaguide,thata theoryofrevelationhasgrownupwhichregardstheBibleastheinfallibleandfinalrevelationofthe willofGod.Thistheoryisnottruetoexperience,nortotheclaimsofthedivineworditself.–A CommentaryontheDoctrineandCovenants,HeraldHouse,1958,page10.

Sixth.Ourfaith,experiences,traditions,andscholarshipcontributetoourunderstandingofscripture.We recognizetheimportanceoftheseelementsinotherfacetsofourlifeandrecognizeequallytheirimportance inthestudyofscripture.Everythingweread,whetherscripture,newspapers,orbooksisshapedbyour personalandcorporatefaith,experiences,traditionsandlearning.Thisisnottosaythatwhatwelearnor gainfromourstudiesispredetermined,itisnot,aslongaswerecognizethoseinfluencesandexaminethem incontextwithwhatourunderstandingis.

Forexample:IfoneweretopickupacopyoftheNewTestamentandbeginreadingitwithouttheknowledge thatitisacollectionofbooks,theymaysoonbeconfused.Mostofyouhavealearnedunderstandingofhow theNewTestamentwascreated:acollectionofbooksincludingtheGospels,ActsoftheApostles,thePauline andotherepistles,andRevelation.SoyouapproachtheNewTestamentwiththatunderstandingandyour experienceisricherthanonewhodidn’tknow.

Seventh.WeseektheinfluenceoftheHolySpiritininterpretingscriptureresponsibly.FormerApostleGeoff Spencerremindsoftheimportanceofresponsiblescripturalinterpretation:

“Responsibleguidelinesforinterpretationarenecessary.The‘WordofGod’hastoooftenbeen invokedtosupportorjustifyinterpretationsthathavebecomeanembarrassmentoranoffence.– HazardsofTheology,pg.93Ͳ94.

ExamplesoferroneousinterpretationsfromChristianhistory,justtonameafew,include:maledominance (patriarchy),whitesupremacy(racism),celibacy,polygamy,slavery,violenceandkillinginGod’sname,abuse ofnaturalresources,andwithholdingneededmedicalservices.Thechurch,asafaithcommunity,takes seriouslyits’calltounderstandandinterpretscriptureresponsiblyanditdoesthisbyseekingthehelpofthe HolySpirit.Thisisvitallyimportantaswelearntobetogetheronourjourneyofdiscipleship.Canwelearnto searchforunderstandingtogether?CanweriskopeningourselvesuptotheimpressoftheHolySpiritsothat allofGod’screationcanbeblessed?WehavethepromisethattheSpiritwouldguideJesus’disciplesinto newtruth.Ipraythatwehavethecouragetohearandrespond.

God’snature,asrevealedinJesusChristandaffirmedbytheHolySpirit,providestheultimatestandard bywhichanyportionofscriptureshouldbeinterpretedandapplied.–D&C163:7b

Eight.AsdisciplesofJesusChrist,wearecalledtogrowinourknowledgeandunderstandingofthescriptures. ThisissowecanassistinbringingreconciliationandhealingtoGod’speopleandcreation.

FormerPresidingEvangelistDannyBelrosepoeticallydescribesourneed:

“INKONAPAGE”

Inkonapage.Holyink.Holypages.Holybooks. HardͲcovergodsfilledwithinsights,  wisdom,andwonder. ProofͲtextpermissions(ChristianandnonͲChristian)

23   thatdenyanddestroy. It’sallthereinseveralversions  ͲͲͲbirth,death,demons,anddeity  ͲͲͲonionͲskinͲthin,fuelingfaithandfancy. It’satightfit,God. We’vesqueezedyouintochaptersandverses. We’vemadeyouinourownimage,  putourwordsinyourmouth  andusedthemforloveandwar. Openoureyes,ourears,ourminds,andhearts,OGod,  totherhythmofyourSpirit,  whichbeatsbeyondwordsonapage. Freeusfromlethalliteralism. Letsacredtextspointtheway,not“be”theway. Letthemserve,not“be”served. Letthemunite,notdivide. Letthem,onceagain,bealampuntoourfeet,  notahammerinourhands. –VulnerabletoGrace(CommunityofChrist,2008)p.71. 

Ninth.Finally,weaffirmtheBibleasthefoundationalscriptureforthechurch.InadditionweusetheBook ofMormonandtheDoctrineandCovenantsasscripture.Weusethesebooksbecausetheyconfirmthe messagethatJesusChrististheLivingWordofGod.AllscriptureintheCommunityofChristspeaktous fromthepast:Apastthatincludesthestoryofstruggleandcelebration,painandhealing,brokennessand reconciliation.ThroughthepresenceoftheHolySpirit,scripturedoesnotremaininthepast.Itcontinues withusintothefuture.Indeed,webecomepartofthestory.Justasthosewhowentbeforeusinformusof theirexperiencewithGod,wetoowritenewchaptersofhowGodhasformedusandofferitinhumilityto thoseyettocome.

Aswetraveltogether,myprayeristhatourlivesbecomenewpagesofscripturethatbearwitnessofJesus Christ,theLivingWord.



 DiscussionQuestions 1. Howareyoufeelingatthispoint? 2. Whatareyourreactionstowhatyouarehearing? 3. Howdoesyourexperiencewithscripturecomparetotheaffirmationsinthestatementon scripture? 4. HowhaveyoudiscoveredChrist“inandthroughscripture”? 5. Howdoyouseetherelationshipbetweenscripture’sculturalandhistoricalcontextandthe guidancetoresponsiblyinterpretandfaithfullyapplyscripture?”Howdoesrecognitionoftherole ofthehumanwriteraffecthowyouviewscriptureinyourownlifeandinthelifeofthechurch?

24  6. Whatvaluesdoyoufindinboththeunityanddiversityofthescripturalwitness? 7. Considerthepreamble.Howdoyoudefinethephrases“responsiblyinterpreted”and“faithfully applied”?Howdoesyourapproachtoscripturealignwiththesetwocriteria?Whatmightneedto havemoreattentioninordertobebetteraligned? 

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