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Holy Writ

I’m not surprised that Christian believers should feel some misgivings over the seemingly constant attacks being launched by academics both good and bad on the teachings of the faith which we hold. And not just academics. The former Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, caused a furore only a few years ago by referring to the resurrection of Christ as a conjuring trick with bones.

A lot of the trouble stems from the way in which holy Scripture is approached and understood. It’s my guess that most people would be inclined to think that the Bible exaggerates. When we read of healings, exorcisms, miracles, resurrections, ascensions, angels, voices from heaven and the like, most of us have a sneaking suspicion that a good pinch of theological salt is required. Clearly the prophets, apostles and evangelists have exaggerated because they have not had the benefit of our modern knowledge about these things.

Now, I would like to suggest to you that the situation is completely the opposite. Yes, Scripture is inadequate, it is faulty, it is marred by human inadequacy - but not because it foolishly overstates its own case. On the contrary, Scripture is inadequate because it cannot convey in mere words the glory and mystery of God and His dealings with His creation. The Bible is to be faulted not for saying too much, but for saying too little.

It is hardly surprising that the biblical accounts of the resurrection and ascension, of the first pentecost and the transfiguration should seem exaggerated to us. Our whole culture is totally sceptical about such things - while being totally credulous about others, let it be said. In a way, many of us are conditioned to regard the very idea of the resurrection of Christ as an exaggeration - in fact it’s the only way many of us have of coping with something which doesn’t fit with the intellectual fashion of our times.

But in so far as Scripture is inaccurate, I would wish to maintain that it is inaccurate because it fails to say enough, not because it says too much.

This, it seems to me, is perfectly normal. Most written accounts of historical events are only very pale reflections of the reality which they set out to convey. How much more must that be the case when human words are expected to convey realities which are quite beyond description in the first place! So when you ponder the biblical accounts of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ this Holy Week and Easter, just remember - the reality was and is far greater than mere words can tell.