Welcome to February friends!
We’re only three days into this month, and already we’ve descended into full hibernation mode. It’s weird how life can be so busy and so small at the same time. An ice storm hit our state, and while we’re not experiencing the subzero temperatures some of you are up north, we are knocking icicles off the bin when we take out the trash at night and clutching the stair rail for dear life every time we leave the front door. Which is weird for Tennessee.
But wherever you are, freezing or not, pour yourself a drink, maybe even get a snack, sit back and let’s dig in.
gabby & chris
Jesus first, Bible second.
By Chris Llewellyn
I generally begin my mornings in a way that would make my Sunday school teacher (who happens to be my dad!) VERY happy.
I have multiple translations of scripture open, in addition to commentaries and study aids from a diverse range of perspectives.
I listen to (objectively, quite boring) podcasts, debating the microscopic nuances of obscure verses.
I’m fluent in the theological jargon typically used by old white men with dense nose and ear hair— “eschatology”, “soteriology”, “the synoptic gospels”, “the LXX” etc. etc.
All this to say, I’m a big, nerdy fan of the Bible.
But I still don’t think the most important thing for a Christian to be is “biblical”.
Predictably, I got in some trouble for saying this online a week or so ago, but I’m holding fast to the position that our highest aim is to be Christlike, and in doing so we will be “biblical” in every way that matters.
Obviously these aren’t entirely unrelated ideas— the Christ I’m trying to be like is found in the Bible after all. But it is a shift in emphasis. Christ first, Bible second.