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| How Scripture is read in our church
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In our denomination, we have a high value for the Scriptures and say they are the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. Because of that, we attempt to read the Scriptures with 5 values before us and 3 committments that will assist us attain our 5 values. They are:
1) To read the Bible faithfully: We acknowledge we come to Scripture with lenses that affect the way we each personally view Scripture. Because of that, we are open to being challenged and changed by Scripture.
2) To read the Bible communally: We understand that the Holy Spirit and the community of faith work in concert with one another as we read Scripture. Because of that, we need to listen to others perspective within our own church, in other denominations, and through various saints of the past.
3) To read the Bible rigourously: We recognize the cultural and historical context of Scripture. As a community, we discern together what it means for the church today.
4) To read the Bible charitably: We recognize and affirm different interpretations of Scripture on matters that are not central to our core beliefs. Our "life together" in Christ is our unifying bond.
5) To read the Bible holistically: We recognize that we need to interpret Scripture within the context of the entire Bible. No single passage is by itself the word of God.
Our 3 committments to assist us in attaining our 5 values are:
1) We are committed to Grace: We recognize that grace is central to the character of God and the gospel we proclaim. Because of that, we will experience grace with one another as we live with God and for God as well as seek to interpret passages of Scripture. Divisions over different interpretations of Scripture is not being gracious to one another.
2) We are committed to Transformation: We affirm that the goal of reading Scripture is our own transformation as God works with His Spirit in our reading. We, actually, become participants in God's story of love and rescue as we live out what we read in Scripture.
3) We are committed to Mission: God's Spirit, in cooperation with the Scriptures, call us to join with Jesus in His work. The Scriptures point us to a God that was sent to us and sends us into the world.
If you would like to read more in depth for our stand on Scripture, please click here.
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