AHSS We Call Ourselves Disciples: Disciples and the Bible (A)

We Call Ourselves Disciples begins with “The Disciples and the Bible,” because the Bible is foundational for Disciples. Ron Allen explains the history of interpretation and the diversity in the DOC. He acknowledges that there is agency in interpretation and a need for humility as he calls for readers to reengage the Bible.

“Diversity” Describes many aspects of Disciples life, including our relationships with the Bible in both past and present. Although all Disciples recognize the Bible as an authority for the church, there is no single Disciples approach to the Bible. Disciples have different perspectives on the nature of the Bible itself, on how to interpret it, and on how the church relates the Bible to other sources of authority.

In the first generation of Disciples (roughly 1804 through the Civil War), many people believed the leading ideas in the Bible contained divine revelation. Many followed Alexander Campbell in seeing the biblical material divided into three periods: (1) the ancestors in Genesis; (2) from Moses to the day of Pentecost; and (3) the Christian era beginning on the day of Pentecost and continuing into the present. Few disciples today continue this way of thinking.

To early Disciples the most authoritative parts of the Bible were the writings that came after Pentecost. Campbell saw these materials as a constitution for the church, revealing its identity and instructing its worship, governance, and mission. The writings before Pentecost, including the Gospels, had less authority. Contemporary Disciples usually regard the whole Bible as having authoritative qualities, with some Disciples prioritizing the gospels.

Alexander Campbell thought the church should interpret the Bible by taking account of the historical context, authorship, literary devices, and the intentions of the document. It was particularly important for interpreters to “come within the understanding distance” - that is, readers should interpret the Bible from the standpoint of being existentially aware of God’s unrelenting love and God’s larger purposes. Interpretation should take place in community to benefit from the insights of the different participants.

For many people, the understanding distance included the notion of postmillennialism, the idea that the mission of the church includes preparing the world for the return of Christ by engaging in social reform designed to reshape the social world in love, peace, and prosperity. Only after this effort would Christ return to rule. The church, then, reads the Bible for guidance in how to prepare the church and the world for the final return of Christ. Although few Disciples today subscribe to postmillennialism, there is a thematic similarity between the focus on social reform in postmillennialism and the concern for justice permeating current Disciples life.

1. Do you believe the Bible contains divine revelation?
2. What portion of the Bible do you think is the most relevant for you?
3. Do you consider the historical context, authorship, literary devices, and intentions of the document when you are reading and studying the Bible?
4. Do you think postmillennialism and social justice are thematic? 

Journal or discuss your thoughts regarding this lesson and then come back to it later to see if your thoughts have changed.