Saturday Ruminations

Like many others, I watched a fair amount of the Democratic Convention this week.  One of the important tasks of the convention was to tell the personal stories of the candidates.  In Obama's case, the story has been distorted and falsified in emails and internet and a variety of other media, so it was important to correct it.  But it was also important because we connect with people through their stories, we come to know something about people and develop a sense of trust when we learn something of their story.  I did not know Joe Biden's story until this week, for example, but now have a sense of his dedication to his family and his state, and how that may have shaped his work in the Senate.  As soon as McCain's running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, was announced, her story began to be told with the hope that people would identify with her.

The purpose of the Gospels was similar, to tell not only what Jesus said - there was probably already at least one collection of Jesus' sayings being circulated - but to tell who Jesus was.  Each writer had their own idea of what was crucial in the story, so the stories differ.  They are not intended to be historical records in the way we understand them.  They are more like well researched historical novels, but that is not exactly what they are either.  A spiritual narrative designed to inspire as much as to teach.  

Political stories are not exactly historical records either.  All such stories need to be interpreted.  What is the message that is being conveyed?  Why is this important to the author?  To the reader?  What action are we being asked to take?  As we listen to political rhetoric it is good to remember that in the Bible we have a set of stories and commentaries that need to shape the way we interpret the contemporary stories and commentaries that we are hearing.