Pastor Laura

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A certain college student decided to work his way though the books of Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John for his Lenten devotional time. This was quite an undertaking given his class load and
the fact that he hadn’t really cracked his Bible open since Confirmation. So imagine this young man’s
fascination to read about Jesus’ debates with the Pharisees and Sadducees. Here was God’s own Son,
at the tender age of 30, brilliantly handling every occasion with wisdom. The student was awed at
how Jesus’ words and actions left those around him often dumbfounded. The undergraduate’s devotional time was filled with amazement and even some laughter.
Like this undergraduate, David Plotz, author of the Good Book, was surprised to be amazed as he
thumbed through the Bible while visiting his niece’s congregation. He, too, had not dusted off his Bible
in quite some time. As he read, Plotz was caught by the bloodshed, dirty politics, and betrayal
found in Scripture, as well as by the humor and seeming ridiculous forgiveness found there. As a result,
Plotz decided to read a Bible verse or two each day, then blog about it. His writing is amusing,
and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. Some are not amused by his blogging efforts. “Who is this
Plotz?” they ask. “What right has he to interpret the Bible for the rest of us?” Plotz himself flat-out
confesses his ignorance. He claims no credentials. Still, some seminary-types cringe at this offhand
approach: a young man, a computer, and a big cup of coffee do not a Bible scholar make.
And yet Martin Luther and those other 16th century reformers took “right” interpretation out of the
hands of church authorities and gave the Bible to the people. It was a revolution! But the Bible has of
late been so mired in conversations about who’s got it right and who’s got it wrong, that everyday
people may have forgotten what a revolution it really is to read the Bible. It’s dramatic. It’s surprising.
And in the stories of dysfunctional and loving families; bad mistakes and glimpses of genius; efforts
at self-promotion and the promotion of others; grudges and forgiveness… we see ourselves.
The good news of Jesus’ words and actions are right there for us to read, study, and inwardly digest as
have the college student and David Plotz. Our Lenten worship centers us in Word and Sacrament, inspiring our Lenten discipline. We participate in the Lenten journey both within and outside the walls
of St. Andrew’s Church as we, like the student and the blogger, delve into Scripture.
The worst thing to do with the Bible is to leave it on the shelf, thinking that it is ancient and stale, or
that someone else may have a smarter idea about it. The best thing? Read it, then ask questions, argue,

and talk about it. A Bible study or small group meeting at St. Andrew’s may be just the place
for this revolution (dare I say, tipping point?) to occur!

In the Bible reading revolution with you,
Pastor Laura