This link from today's Baptist Times e-news sweep (aka BUGB e-news sweep) is worth a look see...

Everyone reads the Bible partially, that is, incompletely and in a biased fashion.

Everyone thinks they read the Bible authentically, that is, that they are right (or more right) than others.

Being partial is inevitable and not wrong, but it's not wholly right either.

I kinda feel if we Bappy's could really grasp this, then our unity-in-diversity would be more real and healthy.

Today the twentieth of forty 'blog posts' appeared on the BUGB beyond 400 website.  So, we are now half way, which seems a good place to reflect on how I have experienced the endeavour so far.

Firstly, I feel that, for me anyway, it has involved a lot of the 'usual suspects' in the choices of people to post the reflections.  I know a lot of effort went into trying to find a real spread of people, but I have a sneaky suspicion that had it been a self-selecting group then, thus far, it would not be so very different.  Or maybe it's just the circles I move in... maybe I'm more of a pan-BUGB-Baptist than I realise?  Whatever the reality, the vast majority of posters are people I know, and people I would happily discuss theology with, and among whom it would safe-enough to express honestly held views and agree to disagree

Secondly, I wonder how people are engaging with the conversations?  Not just how many hits, and how many comments, but more along the line of, are the people who were reading at post No 1 still reading at post No 20?  Who has given up reading because they feel unable to participate?  One or two early commenters have disappeared, why is this?  Others have posted pseudonymosly, despite the request for people to use real names, why is that?  Some have been courageous in what they've shared, others quite guarded.  What are the silent majority of readers thinking and doing with this stuff?  What is not being said? How does any of it get to grass roots, to the faithful, computer illiterate members of our churches, or to those who find words like 'blog' or 'facebook' or 'twitter' to be anathema?

I am wondering if it is significant that Post 20, because it is Post 20, not just because of its content/focus, is the place where one of BUGB's big elephants is named, that somehow now the person how named it feels the forum is safe enough or the time right to speak his questions?  How do we build up enough trust to allow diverse, even controversial, views to be expressed?

And then of course the crucial 'so what' question.  I enjoy the conversations, the playing with ideas, the questions and ponderings.  I enjoy... but so what?  Hidden in amongst the words, and hidden behind the words (what is not being said) is much that demands action.  Yes, we need strategies.  Yes we need theolgies.  Yes we need spirtualities.  Yes we need prayer.  Amen to most of what everyone is saying but... so what?  To what purpose all this expenditure of effort?  It is actually "Beyond Beyond 400" where the rubber hits the road.

Today's readings have a strong Abraham focus:

Psalm 22:23-31
Genesis 16:1-6
Romans 4:1-12

The Romans passage has Abraham as an exemplar of righteousness, whose deeds reflected his faith, and whose obedience to God predated the rite of circumcision.  This is set in parallel with the beginning of Genesis 16 where Sarai approaches Abram with an idea to resolve their childless state... perhaps the slave Hagar can be a surrogate mother.  Abram it seems does not object to the suggestion, and Hagar does indeed conceive.  Poor Sarai, now her own inability to bear children is compounded, her previously worthless slave has done what she cannot do; she is angry and upset, and goes off complaining to Abram, who, it has to be said, is not portrayed as being very sympathetic... she's your slave, you sort it.

Sarai maltreated Hagar.  Firstly she saw her as womb, a vessel in which a son for Abram could grow; an object if you like, a mere incubator for the child who would fulfil Abram's need for an heir (in ancient understandings men's 'seed' was the totality of the new child, the woman a mere receptor to nourish it).  Then she envied her, as Hagar experienced morning sickness, as her belly swelled and her back ached, Sarai became bitter.  Every grimace became a scowl, every look a put-down, every swell of belly or breast an insult.   Then, when Abram shook his head and told her to get on with it, she was so cruel to Hagar that, pregnant though she was, she fled... a runaway slave had no rights and could expect severe repercussions once caught and returned.

I'm not really sure, though, that Abram emerges smelling of roses.  When the suggestion was made that he take Hagar, there is no sense that he agonised over the decision, prayed about it or even was shocked at the suggestion.  He just got on with it and then waited.  Hagar gains no favour or status in his eyes even when she is carrying his child, she is still Sarai's property for Sarai to treat as she will. This 'man of God' is hardly an example of gentleness, compassion or even thoughtfulness.  He is complicit in the attempt to end his childlessness.

The lectionary breaks off at this point... and will pick up again tomorrow as the Hagar story takes a dramatic twist.  But for now we are left with the unhappy household of Abram and Sarai.  Here is an elderly, childless couple who have taken things into their own hands and it has all turned very sour.  Reading this story gives me pause for thought about those who we perceive, or who present themselves, as being especially righteous, and what goes on behind their closed doors.  What are the tensions in their personal lives?  What temptations do they face to 'fix' things using the opportunities available to them?  How do they handle their negative emotions?  What impact does all this have on their faith and life?

And of ourselves.  What desires or promises seem unfulfilled?  How do we respond?

God, can't you fix it quickly?

Can't you just fulfil that promise now, this minute, like this?

What if we do this, God, you know, this way

That'll work

Won't it?

I mean, the end result will be the same...

It won't?

Your ways are not my ways?

Your thoughts not like mine?

(Well I knew that, but even so...)

What's that?

It could all end in tears and regrets...

So, God,

How do I do it your way?

How do I distinguish your voice amidst the clamour?

How do I spend the meantime

When my faith and trust look utterly ridiculous

When the promise sounds so hollow

When time marches on and opportunities dwindle...

Teach me your ways, Oh Lord,

Show me your paths

Forgive my haste

Forgive my bright ideas

Forgive my pragmatism

And give me instead

Your peace.