Whose Voice?

One reason people misinterpret what the Bible says is their failure to recognize the many voices in scripture. They read the Bible as though it speaks with one voice. They read everything in the Bible as though it were the voice of God. In reality, the Bible has many voices.

The Bible contains multiple works, from a wide variety of sources that span centuries of Hebrew history. Each work reflects the efforts of different individuals and/or groups to understand who God is and the ways of God. These different works do not present a common understanding of how to relate to God. As a result, the reader must discern which biblical voice most echoes the voice of God.

Walter Brueggeman, world renowned biblical scholar, identifies two predominant voices in scripture. One voice excludes while the other welcomes and includes. For the voice that excludes, acceptance is based upon conformity to a prescribe set of expectations (law). Those who fail to measure up to the expectations are excluded. I describe this way of relating as merit-based. In contrast to this merit-based way of relating is grace-based relating. Grace-based relating is the voice that welcomes and includes. Acceptance is a gift that comes from God.

When we read scripture, the voice we hear is the one that echoes our own voice. It is the voice that reflects our own thinking. It is the voice that represents how we unconsciously relate to God.

Of the two voices, Jesus spoke the voice of grace and forgiveness. Jesus accepted and embraced all, excluding no one. Because Jesus is the fullest revelation of God, the voice of God is heard in the voice of Jesus. Thus, when we read the Bible, we must read it through the lens of Jesus. We must listen for — and follow! — the voice that welcomes and includes.

John 10 records a metaphor of the sheep following the voice of their shepherd (John 10:4). Jesus identified himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11). His sheep hear his voice and follow him.

We follow the voice of Jesus when we view and value, accept and embrace everyone as a beloved child of God. Excluding is not the way of God. It is not the way of Jesus. It is not way of the followers of Jesus.