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Dear San Marco Church Family: For a variety of valid reasons, our church is considered a progressive church in terms of how we understand and interpret scripture. It is very important that we strive to understand what this does and does not mean. It does NOT mean that we have a low view of scripture or that we view scripture as non-authoritative. Rather, it means that we view scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit. It means that we interpret scripture in relation to other scripture. We acknowledge that the 66 separate books that compose our Old and New Testaments provide necessary and sufficient guidance for how we are called to follow Christ. We also acknowledge that many different, flawed human beings wrote these books. We do not claim that the scriptures are without any errors, or that the writers were infallible. We do not believe there is an inherent conflict between science and faith, as we think the essential truths of scripture lead us to a deeper understanding of both God and human beings. Scripture is not a textbook on science or history, but a call to a relationship with the divine. Recently, I read an article in Christian Century magazine about the need for progressive Christians to be Biblically literate. The writer notes that many leaders in our world use scripture as a weapon to promote harm to vulnerable people. If we are not well-read in our understanding of scripture, we cannot participate intelligently in conversations about Biblical interpretation. The writer says she approaches scripture as follows: “I wrestle with it. I contend with it, chew on it, argue with it, and question it. I tell God honestly when it delights or appalls me……” I think her approach is a good one. Yet it presupposes one important reality. It presupposes that she actually reads scripture regularly. Unfortunately, many Christians have several Bibles that go unread. May we all strive to become ever more faithful students of the scriptures. We cannot defend a faith that we do not understand. This Sunday, March 23, we will continue our Lenten series based upon the book “Embracing the Unexpected.” Our trustee chair, Bryan Amerling, will be preaching this Sunday. Bryan is an engineer who also has a seminary degree and over 20 years of ministry experience. I am so grateful for his willingness to preach, as I think it is important that we have a variety of voices from the pulpit. We also have our children’s church this Sunday, so there are many good reasons to be in worship Sunday. Please continue to pray regularly during Lent this year for God to give us guidance on the future of the ministry of San Marco church and our building. Every Wednesday during Lent we are doing a prayer walk around the neighborhood, so please consider joining us in the sanctuary at 5:30pm any Wednesday. I look forward to seeing you Sunday! Steve Hart
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