Transformation

This word, “transformation,” is used in a variety of ways in various disciplines. In the medical field, when my oldest daughter worked as nurse on the vascular unit at UT hospital, she would describe the amazing transformation that would occur when the surgeons would replace damages blood vessels. Patients would come in with black and blue extremities, but they would leave with pink and warm flesh, flowing with life-giving blood!

When it comes to the world of mathematics, the term “transformation” refers to one of four ways to manipulate the shape of a point, line or shape. What one starts with is named the “pre-image” and the final shape that person ends up with, along with the position where the object finally rests in the overall picture, is called a “transformation.”

All sorts of diet programs and exercise programs promise amazing transformations. Usually they are marketed by showing a “before” picture and an “after” picture. And indeed, if the pictures were not doctored or touched up in any way, there is an amazing picture of transformation.

Transformation also has a specific and powerful meaning in the area of the metaphysical. We are a culture and society enamored with physical transformation. But there is more to each one of us. We are also spirit. “Transformation” in the New Testament is about personal change that happens from the inside out.

Levi’s message, along with the teenagers’ cardboard testimonies, were all about transformation. One of my favorite New Testament passages on this theme is from Romans 12:1-4…”Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” The verb in this passage is in the passive form. It has the force of being understood and translated in the following way…

“Allow yourselves to be transformed.”

How does that happen? Paul indicates it is by the renewing of your mind. The compound word that Paul uses for “renewing” carries the idea of thorough renewal involving all parts of the mind. It would be conceived of as a thorough and integrated renewal. All parts of one’s life, and all parts of one’s thought life come under the renewal of God’s Holy Spirit.

At the core of transformation is submission of one’s heart, mind and soul to the Spirit of God. No area of life is exempt from divine scrutiny and spiritual renewal.

Let us all allow yourselves to be transformed! This is a “spiritual” act of worship. It is laying one’s mind down at the foot of the cross and picking up the mind of Christ in exchange. What a way to think! And, what a way to be transformed!

In Christian love, Curtis

THE BOOK THAT BREATHES NEW LIFE

The above caption is the title of a book by Walter Brueggemann. In this book he addresses the issues of scriptural authority and biblical theology. In the next few weeks I will be addressing some of the comments and insights he provides in this work. Below is his first sentence in the Preface:

            “The matter of biblical authority is ancient, endlessly vexed, and of immense importance in the church”[page xiii].

            I have always personally found the issue of biblical authority a difficult topic to get my mind around. This is for several reasons.

First, articulated versions of “biblical authority” seem to be founded on different concerns from scripture itself. Usually (and historically) appeals are made to “scriptural authority” to manipulate you to see and practice things the way I do. It is almost as if the issue of “biblical authority” becomes the big stick of orthodoxy to wield over those we want to control.

Second, I do agree with Brueggemann that it is an issue of “immense importance in the church.” The role of Scripture in the life of the church is one of the most important topics Christians can think about. Perhaps we have viewed this topic almost schizophrenically…individually I can read Scripture the way I want to; communally you need to read Scripture my way so I can make sure you are right with me and my understandings.

Third, I am fascinated how Scripture just assumes authority over the life of the Christian and the community of faith without spelling out a full-blown doctrine of “scriptural authority.” I would say that the Bible only has the power to authorize if a person allows it to.

For me personally, I like how the Psalmists address the matter of biblical authority. It is a recognition of the powerful influence and interaction that one has with the word of God. Listen to this…”Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord, and on  his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). This is a perfect example of allowing the Word of God to have a claim on one’s life. Indeed, if it is the delight of my heart, and I meditate on it day and night, its authoritative and transformative properties will shape me into a “blessed” person!

In Christian love, Curtis