Cricket  

 

That not Cricket!   Funny how a game from England that is not played in America has given us Americans a phrase that we all understand. We like to think we have a sense of fair play, and nearly all of us feel that people should follow the rules (well most of the time). But who makers the rules? I suppose with cricket, its the Right Royal Federation of Cricket Players, or something like that, but who makes rules by which we can build our lives. How can we know whether we have integrity or not, unless we have a sure code to live by?

 

A few weeks ago this subject was addressed in "Ask Marilyn" in the Sunday paper. Her answer was that she based her sense of right and wrong on her study of history. She felt that history gave her a pattern for living and wisdom. While there is much to be gained from history, what she was really saying was that she chose what parts of history she would value and which parts she would not. If we take that course, then in reality we are saying it is our thoughts and feelings about history that are at the heart of our code. This gets sticky when we feel like killing somebody we shouldn't, or fell like loving someone when we already have a commitment elsewhere.

 

Christendom is divided on this issue too. The Catholic Church says that the church, embodied in papal declarations make the rules. The Protestants, starting with Martin Luther say that scripture alone is our guide. Many Catholics however pick and choose which doctrines they want to believe, and many Protestants, say things like "I have problems with some of the scriptures."

 

As a Christian I have chosen to make my rule, the Scriptures. Certainly the church is involved in this, as historically they studied early writ and chose which books to include in the bible.  What about other so called holy books?  My challenge to you is to read them carefully.  Personally I am convinced that if we come to the bible with even a slightly open mind, we will hear God's words resounding in our hearts and ears.  Some say " you can make the bible say anything you want it to." That is only true if you pick and choose and make up far fetched interpretations. The bible is pretty simple, if you read it honestly. Most children can understand it yet few denominations completely follow scripture. They have some favorite verses, and some they never bring up at all. Jesus said "Seek and you will find."  I appreciate Mark Twain's honesty when he said it that it wasn't parts of the bible he did not understand that give him problems, but that the real trouble came from the parts he did understand.

 

I guarantee you that if you read the bible, there will be parts you have trouble with. But the trouble is not in the Bible, but it is inside of each of us. The prophet Isaiah said "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way...." Saint Paul Said. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

 

I If you haven't read the bible, or if it has been years and years, start with the book of John, then try Romans. From there go back to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts. With that, you will have a good start. Read it and tell me what you think.