This week Pete and Jared talk with speaker, author, and theologian Diana Butler Bass about her love for the Bible that has led her beyond code words and conventions to something deeper and more spiritually sustaining.
Peter Enns (Ph.D., Harvard University) is Abram S. Clemens professor of biblical studies at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. He has written numerous books, including The Bible Tells Me So, The Sin of Certainty, and How the Bible Actually Works. Tweets at @peteenns.
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You are so right about the use of code words. I found that to be true of a church where I served as an elder. One couple in particular would regularly approach the teaching pastor after service to critique his sermons, and in my follow-up with them, I could see they were hung up on words and how the previous very conservative pastor preached. But they were so focused on the words, they were missing the content and substance of the pastor’s message. It’s like some people actively listen for the code words and if those are present, then in their mind, they’ve been fed. They also don’t realize that in some ways, they set themselves up to be duped by those who know people are often easily swayed by the use of code words, and so they fill their sermons with them and by doing so, are able to lead some people astray with errant theology.
Diana Butler Bass just rocks it!!!
You are so right about the use of code words. I found that to be true of a church where I served as an elder. One couple in particular would regularly approach the teaching pastor after service to critique his sermons, and in my follow-up with them, I could see they were hung up on words and how the previous very conservative pastor preached. But they were so focused on the words, they were missing the content and substance of the pastor’s message. It’s like some people actively listen for the code words and if those are present, then in their mind, they’ve been fed. They also don’t realize that in some ways, they set themselves up to be duped by those who know people are often easily swayed by the use of code words, and so they fill their sermons with them and by doing so, are able to lead some people astray with errant theology.