#2 Straight Bible, no chaser.

Have you read the Bible? Maybe a better question is, do you know how to read?  I know that is a punk questions, but I guess I am a punk. As a pastor and a man of the Bible, it becomes very frustrating to hear commentary on the Bible from people who either haven’t read it or who do not know how to read it. Sometimes we forget that words make up sentences and sentences make up stories.

When we are not honest with the words that are actually there in the Bible and the context which they are written, then we can make them mean anything. And people often do. As a pastor, it is my job to point to the words of the book and show that understanding God from the Bible does not require a magician or holy man…kinda working myself out of a job.

So, this plumb line is my plumb line so its not about me being frustrated with others not being honest and faithful to God’s Word. It means two things for me.

1. Straight Bible means that as a pastor I will teach the Bible as directly as I can so that all who hear me speak not only know but can see that the truths come from the Bible not from Robert. Look at the text, you can put your finger on the words.
2. Straight Bible means that in my personal arrogance I will be tempted to treat the Bible with laxity and teach my own ideas. After all, I am experienced and educated. But this plumb line gives me a constant reminder while I may be educated, experience and arrogant…I am not inspired.