Bible and newspaper

The great Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, is credited with saying that Christian theology is done with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Had he been writing today, he might have changed that expression to the Bible in one hand and the iPod in the other! But be that as it may, he was making the point that, for the person of faith, the events of contemporary life which find their way into the media spotlight are to be viewed through the lens of biblical truth. The intersection of God's timeless Word with today's news stimulates questions and affirmations about God and our life.

For instance, in the news this week is the story of a pastor in Florida who is urging the burning of the Koran as an appropriate September 11 commemoration. It may be (giving the benefit of the doubt) that this man offers an allusion to biblical material, perhaps having to do with examples of Old Testament figures taking on the false religions of the day. Yet this level of hatred and disrespect finds no warrant in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Clearly, it is possible to use or abuse some of the biblical material to support or justify attitudes and actions that bear no resemblance to the way of Christ. Jesus himself noted this concern in his Sermon on the Mount: 'You have heard that it was said, [ie, in the Scriptures] An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil.' The Christian holds the Bible in one hand, but it is the Spirit of Christ who provides guidance for the interpretation of Scripture. It is the living Word of God -- not the letter of the law -- that offers life-transforming grace at the intersection with daily life.