Scripture at the Heart

Here are some thoughts on the second lesson for this coming Sunday. This was sent out to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. I'd like to know what you think. I need some feedback and want to hear what you are hearing from this passage. 

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ² proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

The centerpiece of this passage is the importance of scripture. That is what the “sacred writings” are. It is in scripture we learn the message of Jesus that is to be proclaimed. It is from scripture that we find what is to be taught. In God’s word is “sound doctrine.”

Now “scripture” at that time did not include the New Testament, but just the Old. God’s message today as Christians is much clearer to us, with the help of the gospels, the Book of Acts and the letters. The works in the New Testament shine light onto the Old.

Perhaps these words were written to someone in professional ministry, but many of these charges apply to us all as Christians. As Martin Luther said, “a simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it.”

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to which St. Timothy belongs says regarding scripture:

The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God. Inspired by God’s Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and announce God’s revelation centering in Jesus Christ. Through them God’s Spirit speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the world…This church accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and NewTestaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life. (ELCA Constitution)

As followers of Jesus, we must be centered in God’s word, which keeps us from “wander[ing] away to myths” and poor doctrine. God’s living and active word works within us by the power of the Spirit to make us into all God wants us to be as God’s children.

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