Scratching the Surface of the Bible

Have you ever noticed that some people will only scratch the surface of the Bible? Why is that? Many people decide that if they can quote scriptures and live a moral life they are being "Christians." However, being a Christian is so much more. It is really digging into the Bible and showing what life is about. They get stuck in their bubble and believe that is exactly where God wants them!

This, being stuck and refusing to study, isn't scriptural. Paul uses a word in the Greek form paideia, translated “nurture” in the KJV, carries with it the idea of training, education, instruction and discipline. Paul even told Timothy "Study and shew thyself approved." Study, learn, train. Unfortunately for many, studying means that they may learn something new about God and Jesus; they may be asked to come out of their comfort zone and confront their misguided beliefs. 

This happened to me when I was a student at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. I was asked to choose a person from the New Testament to study and present four (4) sermons on. All of the men, of course, choose Paul, Peter, John, Jesus, Andrew; I, on the other hand, chose Mary Magdalene. Needless to say that went over like a ton of bricks. "What can we possibly learn about Jesus from a woman with seven demons?" or "What can we learn about Jesus from a prostitute?" Even my professor was skeptical. "Rachel, you know there aren't many books written about her because so little is known about her." One of the greatest saints of Biblical history and people are scared of her? Seriously? 

My four sermons were titled "Mary Magdalene: If Jesus can change her, imagine what He can do for you!" My first sermon was a historical look at the person Mary Magdalene; what did we already know about her. Sermon Two: Is Mary Magdalene who we really think she is? Biblical Evidence that contradicts fictional depiction of Mary Magdalene. Sermon 3: Being like Mary: Biblical Evidence for changing your life. Sermon 4: A Life of Peace: Being a disciple in today's world. 

On the surface, Mary Magdalene was a woman whom very few people wanted to deal with. She's mentioned a total of 12 times, which is more than most of the other disciples. The rumors are that Mary Magdalene was an adulteress, that she was the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and finally that she was Lazarus' sister. Had I taken this as truth, I would have missed out on the awesome saint that I have come to love! 

When we aren't afraid to dig into the Bible, it's amazing what we find. Here we found a woman whom Jesus loved very much. A life that was changed so that she could be a disciple and minister Christ's unwavering love. 

How much more it would be if Christians wouldn't stay stuck in their beliefs; or at least their understanding of what Scripture says. Do as Paul encouraged Timothy to do, continue to study and show yourself approved, knowledgeable and teachable.