Tethered to Belonging Part 2

So today, as part of our vision series, Tethered to Belonging, a theology for wanderers, skeptics, and believers, I want to give us some thoughts about Scripture and how we can read Scripture.

Our passage for today is Psalm 1, 1 through 3.

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the Lord.

and on his law they meditate day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.

In all that they do, they prosper.

Like trees planted by streams of water.

It's a beautiful, poetic image, right? It's almost too obvious, though, because a tree doesn't grow because it knows a lot about water.

It doesn't grow because it can accurately name the oceans in order from smallest to biggest.

It grows because of its proximity to water.

It transforms because of its proximity to water.

So maybe the verse here is suggesting that scripture is less like an answer key or a A source that when you're near it long enough, we're changed by it, transformed by it, and the good fruit will begin to grow.

On the What We Believe page of our website, voxvinier.com, I'm sure you're familiar.

In reference to scripture, it says scripture is creatively inspired by God to be relevant for every generation and culture.

This living text straightens us out and teaches us to live in the way of Christ.

It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to be and do.

Jesus is its embodiment and the lens through which we interpret.

Sounds nice, right? A living text straightening us out.

Jesus is the lens equipping us for good.

And that beautifully answers the question, what is Scripture? But today I'm hoping to guide us towards a different question.