Lately there has been some buzz about a graphic that appears to magnify contradictions and inconsistencies in the Bible. Most people who have a proclivity to disregard the Bible will glance at it and wag their heads in approval. The challenge to be thoughtful and not drink the kool-aid comes in the actual looking at the facts that feed the inconsistency graphic.

Hermeneutics is the discipline of reading well. The person who put these verses together did not read well. He is missing the forest for the trees. When I was an atheist, I suffered from epistemological laziness. So does this fellow.

I would direct you to Matt Perman’s post on this issue that will help you in defending the veracity of the Bible. {With a helpful follow-up post on The Opposable Mind}

Also, here is a contrast of the two graphics. The first is the graphic that touts the inconsistencies in the Bible. The second is an answer to the Bible’s consistency.

I would go so far to say that the difference in the attitude of the artists can be contrasted by looking at the graphics. The one on the top is stark and monolithic. This corresponds to a flat reading of Scripture. The one on the bottom is colorful and full of wonder–recognizing the diference in genre and vivid imagery the Bible conveys. This is the way one ought to read the Bible.

First, realize that apparent contradictions are apparent. Augustine challenged his students to bend their minds before they break the Scriptures. When there is something difficult to understand, don’t be quick to assert your finite mind over the Scripture.

Second, recognize the multitude of authors that write. Moses doesn’t write like Paul–however, they complement each other. The gravity of the Law is contrasted with the freedom of the Gospel–complementary. The one Spirit that inspired does not contradict. He paints the same work with many colors on one canvas.

Third, don’t make a prophecy a poem. That is, appreciate the beauty of the Psalms and the poignancy of the Proverbs. Don’t make Revelation chronological like Exodus.

Another great animation by actionJones

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbTK-mKxrAc&fs=1&hl=en_US]

I came across this post from Sojourn Music [HT: The Bored-Again Christian] that features an audio link by Harold Best speaking on worship and art in the church. Best had some good thoughts regarding art in the church and art by the church as a means of engagement. Sojourn Music distilled some of his main points as follows:

• The engagement of the Church in the arts should be the norm, not the exception.

• We’ve exhausted our superlatives – everything is “awesome” now. We’ve reserved no words for God.

• If you’re an artist asked to serve the liturgy in corporate worship, remember that the Word is preeminent. Art must serve the liturgy by humbling itself to wash the feet of the Savior and the congregates.

• The blood of Jesus is still needed by Christians as much as by the unbelieving world.

• Art for the Church should be simple, accessible, authentic.

• Art from the Church should be a rampant, outspoken, prophetic invader. For instance, write simple tunes on Sunday morning to serve the liturgy, then go “out there” in culture as prophet, going to the edge of who you are, creatively.

• The intent of the world’s art is idolatry, but the content is neutral. Don’t try to “out-art” them. Debate the intent while celebrating the content.

[Just a note on this last point – I do not agree that all content is neutral and can be celebrated… and I’m not sure that is the point Best was making. The better point, I think, is that intent determines content. Content is the surface of an intent – and so content can be subjective as to how it is perceived. Engage, therefore, with the intent.]

Some other ideas he presented in the audio that I found intriguing:

• There is a universal urge among human beings to be “artistic” in some form.

• Some “art” is only art because someone has called it art.

• Art in the church must be surrendered to the Word of God. Art is a servant of the church – it should be lost, hidden behind the Word.

• Christian artists have 2 roles – they should be humble servants to the church and ministering prophets to the world.

• Christian artists must be well-equipped as theologians to fulfill both roles well.