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Para. 4  The Bible (Vol 2 No 29)

4.  We receive the Hebrew and Christian scriptures known as the Bible, as a collection of human documents rich in historical memory and religious interpretation, which describe attempts to address and respond to the ‘sacred’. It forms an indispensable part of our tradition and personal journeys.  We claim the right and responsibility to question and interpret its texts, empowered by critical biblical scholarship as well as from our own life  experiences.  We accept that other sources – stories, poems and songs – imaginative pictures of human life both modern and  ancient, can nurture us and others, in a celebration of the ‘sacred’ in life.

We receive the Hebrew Scriptures

And the Christian Scriptures too

As collections, human writings

Rich in mem’ry and review;

These describe attempts, responding

To the ‘sacred’, sensed as true.

Indispensable, this Bible

Is part of our heritage,

In tradition, pers’nal journeys

It finds us at every stage;

Reading, list’ning and debating,

Finding wisdom from each age.

Yet we claim the right to question;

Take responsibility

To interpret texts and stories,

Searching each quite critically;

Then empowered with life’s schooling

Wrest its wisdom honestly.

We accept that other sources;

Stories, poems, many a song

And imagination pictures

Of our life, both weak and strong,

Join the process of our searching

For the ‘sacred’; all belong.

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