Finding the Timeless Truth

As my brother was busy gazing at his bride-to-be and trying to remember his one line, I -- as the best man -- had plenty of time to examine the accoutrements around the altar. On Sundays, a little known European language was spoken in this edifice and everything in our surroundings, except for the few English words that were graciously included for this Saturday occasion, was a reminder of the old world.

The congregation, by the testimony of their pastor, had a high view of liturgical worship and a moderate to low view of Scripture.Yet, in a conspicuous location atop a glass-covered table was a beautifully carved, wooden-bound copy of the Scriptures in their mother-tongue, complete with an ornate metal clasp. Fortunately, no lock was on the clasp, but there might as well have been.

This congregation’s particular approach to the Word of God kept the Bible locked up and relegated to “somewhere in the past, far across the ocean.” The result was that this wedding altar was becoming the last stop for many of their young people. Not only were the youth leaving their church, but sadly, also their culture. The Word was spoken as if it had no bearing upon today.

Unfortunately, the overly-cautious, “high view” of Scripture found among professing evangelicals can often bind the message as much as the indifference of liberals.

“Context, Context, Context,” is the appropriate chant led by homileticians who seek to be faithful to the Word. “Historical-grammatical setting” is code for “I want to make sure I am representing the intended message in its original context.” Sometimes, however, we purists fall so in love with the original homeland that we drive by and ignore the proverbial “John Stott Bridge” that is intended to span the gap between the two worlds. Biblicists, for fear of being too creative with the Word or careless with application, sometimes do nothing more than recount a nice narrative without exposing the “timeless truth” that can give the hearer hope, purpose, direction, and above all, salvation.

What would you do if on Monday morning you realize the next text you are scheduled to exposit is Deuteronomy 25:4, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain (ESV)? Typically, where would you go with this? You would certainly be delighted to be reminded in your research that the Apostle already applied this in his letter to Timothy and if you work it right you might even get a raise out of the deal.