In the passages referred to above we do get some inkling
of how scripture may have come into existence. Literalists
hold that because these passages are scripture, they
must have been accurate divinely dictated accounts.
Biblical scholars generally believe that it is never wise to
place absolute credibility in such self-reported writing.
Yet there are instances in both the Old and New
Testaments where the persons associated with particular
texts identify what inspired them to speak or write,
though without any intention that their words would later
become scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8; Jeremiah 1:4-9; Luke 1:14; Acts 1:1-5; Romans 15:22-33; Revelation 1:1-3.
As we have said earlier in these studies, texts that we
regard as scripture were written by human hands. Behind
the texts, however, were real religious experiences. Not all
of those experiences were pleasant. In Jeremiah 20:1-17
we read how one very unpleasant experience suffered by
the prophet led to an outspoken denunciation of the
leading priest of the temple.
We do not know exactly what happened to Jeremiah when
his predictions came true and the whole of Israel’s
religious, political and social leadership was led away
captive to exile in Babylon. From Jeremiah 43:1-6 we
learn that he was apparently taken as a prisoner to Egypt
still proclaiming his fierce prophecies of both doom and
hope. We can only presume that at some later date people
did remember and wrote down what he had said.
The experience behind Isaiah’s call was quite distinctive.
He was in the temple for the early morning sacrifice. The
rays of the rising sun streaming through the smoke from
the sacrifice produced a vision of the Lord seated on a
high throne surrounded by angels. He heard the voice of
the Lord asking for a volunteer to bring the Lord’s
message to Israel. In fear and trembling he responded.
The prophet who experienced such a vivid call was a
deeply religious person. Recently neuroscientists have
discovered what may have been happening in the
prophet’s brain. Using functional magnetic resonance
imaging, or fMRI, they scanned the brains of both selfdeclared religious and non-religious individuals as they
contemplated three psychological dimensions of religious
beliefs. Neural networks in the prefrontal cortex of the
brain were activated.
These neural networks are the locale in the brain where
both risky and moral decisions are made and memories
are formed. One can infer from these discoveries that
Israel’s prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul and the
earliest apostles had very similar experiences recorded in
what we now call scripture using the religious
terminology of their own times.
The study of great movements such as the Protestant
Reformation in northern Europe and the Wesleyan revival
in 18th century England give strong indications that such
experiences do occur in unpredictable ways to change the
history of their times. There may not be very strong
trends in our times for new religious movements to occur.
We can anticipate with hope that similar religious revivals
will occur again as scientific and religious leaders explore
the realities of religious experience as it affects our
brains.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. From Paul’s letters we learn that he intended his
correspondence to deeply affect the lives of those to
whom he wrote. For generations thereafter
Christians found his letters very meaningful and
passed them on to others. This was the process by
which Paul’s letters became valued scripture. Why
would inspirational writing by Christian leaders
today not be held in such high regard or affect the
lives of people today?
would have it for all. May everyone may taste and see that
you are God. Amen.
13 – HOW SCRIPTURES ARISES
(Read 2 Kings 22: 8-20; Jeremiah 36:4-8, 27-31)
2. “Most religious communities living scripturally
have indeed produced over the centuries theories
for their members to explain – to themselves, to
each other, to their children – how it is that their
scriptures are so important and mean so much to
them.” (Prof. W.C Smith, What Is Scripture? 215)
Discuss whether or not this is still a valid process
for churches to depend on for future growth or
even survival.
3. Why have thoughtful and knowledgeable people
found that the processes of treating scriptures as
identified above serve no useful purposes?
CLOSING PRAYER
This is a time of wide unbelief, our God. Yet the words of
scripture still speak to us because through them we see
Jesus, life and love fully lived and freely offered as you
Jeremiah Dictating To Baruch – Reubens (1577 – 1640)
OPENING PRAYER
It is difficult to know who we really are, loving God. Are
we really manuscripts of divine letters from you to your
world? Are we mirrors reflecting the divine face of Jesus?
We dare not look lest we see what we do not wish to see:
who we really are. Yet you still assure us that we are
loved – unconditionally, eternally. Amen.