Thankfully, the clock struck 12:00am without much abnormal happening (except Dick Clark seemed to get even younger…?). As the New Year approaches, this moment made me think about the apocalyptic reality of starting over. The question entered my consciousness, what if Christianity had to start all over again tomorrow… with me?
Whoa – Would I be capable of relaying the message? Could I write a new Bible? Could I explain countless testimonies and spiritual revelations? Have I learned/heard/experienced anything spiritual that is worth writing about?
This idea has captured my thoughts for the last week. What would I need to do in order to share the spiritual world of Christianity all over again? The very concept is hard to completely grasp, but so far, I would at least need the following: a connection with God through scripture, the spiritual testimonies/stories of others, and a personal relationship with God. I will spend the next 3 posts exploring these.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Writing a New Bible
I mentioned that I think I would need a connection with God through scripture. Before moving forward though, why use the Bible? Should I even write another one? There have been wars, persecution, and endless bickering over it’s pages. Some don’t seem to read it much anyways. Would the spiritual world be better off without it?
In some ways, yes, having a standard text that proclaims itself to be the irrefutable word of God can be divisive. Yet, in other, I believe more important ways, a spiritual text is critical in the life of the spirit.
Having a spiritual text is like a “home base”. It gives generations of believers a place to go that is consistent. It also sets certain precedents and expectations. Without it, people can waver between their emotions and the cunning thoughts of others. This is no way to lead a spiritually stable life. In order to build, you need a foundation. In order to build something solid, you need a solid foundation. The Bible, even with all of it's mysteries, provides that.
Ok, so I would definitely have to write a new Bible. But, where would I begin? To be honest, I don’t know. The only things I know would HAVE to be included would be the creation of the world in Genesis and Jesus in the gospels. I would have to recollect as much as I knew and write it down. It would be a much shorter version, but I would need to stay true to myself. If I don’t remember it EXACTLY like it was in the “old” Bible, I wouldn’t include it. (Sadly, the current - old – Bible we use may not have been constructed in the same way. More on that in the next post.)
There would likely be some mention of valuable lessons like Cain and Abel, Noah and the flood, Moses and the Israelites, Sampson, Esther, King David, King Solomon, and Jonah from the our current Old Testament. I would definitely try to include Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, the twelve disciples, Paul, Timothy, and others from our current New Testament. But this new Bible might focus on key concepts rather than detailed accounts from the Bible we remember. Maybe there’d be a chapter on love and hate. Maybe there’d be another on grace. Maybe another on sacrifice. Definitely one on the Holy Spirit. These themes might take the place of some of the stories we know now (probably some of the “begats” too – it’s impossible to remember all those).
Even more pointed, this new Bible would probably include topics that impact the spiritual world today outside of the church. It may include sections about education, politics, marriage, family, the environment, health, and money. I could also talk about some of the spiritual poisons of the world; greed, lust, violence, envy, pride, prejudice, and fear. Finally, I’d write about what happened and what was to come (Revelation 1:19 below). One thing my new Bible would have in these sections is a disclaimer: “Some of the views you read here may be personal interpretations through Jeremy Gilmore. There may have been other views on this topic, however, I believe those included have been revealed to me by God. Please pray for your own clarity and God's discernment about these matters.”
I feel like I could go on and on about this, but this is the general thought: a text can outlast a person. The Bible would need to be written if it didn’t exist. It should address contemporary issues and foundational tenets (which the original Bible does). Although today we don't have to start from scratch, it is helpful for current children of God to write down what God is telling/showing them. We will talk about this more in the next posts. God didn’t finish speaking to people in the book of Revelation. He’s speaking now and still desires us to write the word today for the next generation to read. The question now rests with us: Are we able?
Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be holy and acceptable in your sight. I praise You for the Bible and for people who have written it for us. It seems like such a big job to do. Please give me the discipline and discernment to chronicle Your hand in the earth today. I pray for all people. Please give us a faith that, if necessary, can re-create what has been created in us. We need You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Writing,
j.a.g.
-----------------------------------------
Exodus 17:14 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua…
Jeremiah 30:1-2 - 1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
Revelation 1:19 - Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
