There is no fear.

Within Christian circles, we don't have to be around long to hear someone say, "The Bible says it, so I believe it."

While it is a convenient catch all, in some ways this statement allows that person or group to not have to critically reflect on what the Bible might actually be saying.

But the reality is that none of us, that's right none of us, believe everything that lay in it's pages.  It could be the 613 laws in the Old Testament, the flood, the length of time of creation, the talking donkey, crossing of Red Sea, the miracles, the entire book of Revelation, etc..

What we do believe is a certain interpretation of these Sacred words.

Let me be clear, this does not make the Bible any less authoritative, inspired, or infallible.

For we must always remember that it is not Bible we worship but rather the thing behind the thing, the God that the Bible points us to.

(For more on that I recommend 'How can the Bible be Authoritative' by N.T. Wright)

With in this mind when we do approach a passage, there is a humility. We can acknowledge that though we might struggle with what is written, we can't discount it. In all the Bible's complexity, the God it points us to has also chosen to work through the words found in it.

So today, I point us to this passage from 1 John. Keeping the current political and social climate in mind, I challenge you to join me in centering ourselves on it - to remember the love of God we have experienced and what that love has invited us into in our lives.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

Grace and Peace to you.