Perhaps i am a heretic, perhaps not. . .

i was actually in the process of writing about the fruits of the spirit (something i hope to post here soon), but there has been a nagging on my heart about another matter. The implications of which could be serious if misinterpreted (like i could be tarred and feathered), but something that should be meditated on.
Some time ago while i was still teaching a Sunday school class we spoke on the matter of idolatry. It was brought up that anything we place in front of God, or in his place of honor, in our lives could be viewed as idolatry. i posed the question at the time, "Is it possible to idolize your bible?" A question that, on the surface, i had intended to use just to stir thinking. Little did i want to accept the feeling down deep that there may be more truth to this notion than not.
i recall when i was in high school that i had a bible that had "seen some wear". Now mind you most of my bibles end up mummified in duct tape and are used until even the duct tape is worn beyond recognition. This particular bible had reached the point where entire chapters of some of the letters and books were missing. i had finally resolved to just throw it away, and wow what a controversy that struck. My mother was appalled that i would even consider throwing out a bible. . . i mean after all the bible is a Holy book. The debate came to a head when she called the pastor of the local church to ask him if it was wrong to throw it out. i don't remember his response but i do remember throwing it out. The idea of the sacredness of the bible has come up here and there since, but what is it that is sacred? The paper? The spirit?
i hadn't really considered the possibility that our focus on the bible may be unhealthy until i saw a sermon bulletin recently. In the speaker's outline was the phrase:

a. Worship is focused on God's word

Regardless of its intent the way it was written reflects an unhealthy approach to Christianity. Am i wrong in thinking that this view of God is academic and not relational? Worship isn't focused on God's word, worship is offered to God. Is God a matter of facts or a living being that longs for relationship with his creation?
i don't want anyone to think even for a moment that i don't believe that the bible is the word of God. The bible is our link to the history of God's relationship with man, the life of Jesus, and the beginnings of the early church. It should not however be our only link to God.
Unfortunately, except in the case of some seminary trained, a few "super Christians", and those who are earnestly seeking to meet God in a new and organic way, we use only the bible to connect with God. Too often we discount or overlook the period of history between Paul's life and John's exile to Patmos and the current Church.
Is God not in constant relationship with us? Does God not speak to us now? Has God been on vacation all this time? Why are we totally dependent on an inanimate object to see an animate God?
i have come to believe that we (at least in western society) like to view God (not relate to him) from a place of safety and security. A place where we can talk about the truths of God without running the risk of having to actually apply them to our lives in such a way that we would have to respond. I think that for a lot of us our relationship to God is no different than our relationship to Abraham Lincoln. We buy a history book, call it holy, learn everything there is to know about the man, subscribe to his ideologies and philosophies, but none of us know him. Is this any different from our relationship with God or Christ? i mean, really???

It is one thing to know about God:
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder."
- James 2:19

It is another thing all together to actually know God! It is through actually knowing Jesus that the promise comes to God's people.
"Then i will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
-Matthew 7:23

i liken our relational world to the Jewish temple. There are levels, different courts and gates in our lives. At the very center is the true us, the person as we really are; absolutely vulnerable - the Holy of Holies. We allow different people into the different courts as we feel comfortable. In truth God should reside with us in our Holy of Holies, but how often do we lock that gate, and leave him in the outer court, maintaining a distance, a wall between us and him. Even when we think we do differently.
i would like to challenge to anyone who may read this to seek out the living God in your life, in the world, and in your community (church). Let us seek out God as we seek out our loved ones. Let us see him as alive and well and at work in our lives and our world. Let us draw near to him, and expand our faith, let us open ourselves to him, and let him reveal himself to the world through us.

michial