As Christ Loved The Church

The Bible instructs husbands to love their wife as Christ loved the church.

There is that word "as", again!

And once again, I have probably misread it. Again, I have read it meaning "to the degree" (i.e. Love your wife as much as Christ loved the church). However, I am now considering the meaning with respect to "in the manner" (i.e. Love your wife in the same way Christ loved the church).

In what manner did Christ love the church?

He became human for her, he became a servant for her, and he died for her while she was still in a state that could never understand and appreciate his sacrifice.

People often focus upon wives submitting to their husbands. However, this other side of that same scripture provides a context. Taken together, marriage emerges as a mutual, self-sacrificing servanthood with potential for extraordinary beauty. This is not a struggle for power or domination. Nor is it even a perpetual bargain over how to split things evenly. This is giving yourself over completely in loving trust, only to find another eagerly doing the same.

Christ asks, how can you love Him whom you have not seen, if you do not love your neighbor, whom you have seen? How much more could we ask, how can you give loving service to God, His church and the world, if you cannot give it to the closest person in your life?

Message Post On Biblical Inerrancy

I posted the following in response to a discussion thread on the inerrancy of the Bible. I have cleaned up a few typos. Also, thinking about it, I don't know that I would have included the phrase "in all its translations".

I believe that the Bible is inerrant in all of its translations. However, my definition of inerrancy is different from that of many others.

I consider the Bible inerrant in that it was inspired by God, and became exactly what he desired it to be in order to speak his message and truth. However, I don't believe that it is primarily a history book, nor that God would have it read so.

For example, if God wanted to mathematically describe the creation of the universe, I assume that he could have given Moses holy tablets with the proper equations.

Of course, such a record would rid us of all need for faith, and all choice in any matter.

A complete, historical and technical record was clearly not God's intent.

The Bible explains man's relationship to the Creator, and tells us that He loves us passionately. He has reached down to us while we were in sin, and freely given us mercy, love and grace. That is the purpose of the Bible, and it delivers on that purpose, without error. What more would we expect?

Concerns beyond that are empty debate, perpetuated by the insecurities of followers and the belligerence of critics.

Sorry for a very long post.