By Gabe Coyle – Lead Senior Pastor
A Misplaced Kiss
When was the last time you kissed someone at church?
There is one imperative Christians are NOT urging today. And yet, in the New Testament, right at the end of a theologically rich letter for the church is a shocking imperative. “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16).
Does that mean we ought to grab our chapstick and mints on Sunday and lean in? Not quite.
The Bible as Wisdom Literature
This is why faithful followers of Jesus have seen Scripture as wisdom literature. Yes, there are certain books of the Bible that are specifically defined as belonging to a wisdom genre like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job. But in a very real sense, all of Scripture is wisdom literature that requires discernment for growth in God’s wisdom.
Wisdom from a biblical standpoint is practical know-how for leading a flourishing life. Wisdom understands the timeless principles and applies them practically and faithfully in its present context. Reading the Bible with wisdom dismisses both an overcertitude of exact replication and a tossing back and forth on the waves of relativism. Wisdom invites a humble confidence in obeying the timeless word of God by the people of God.
So, to return to the jarring command to kiss people when we gather as the church, the biblical principle in the text is to show brotherly and sisterly affection because of our newfound identity in Christ’s family. In that context of first century Rome, a gentle kiss on the cheek was common and understood. To merely imitate that in our culture in the United States today would actually go against the principle. This would awaken a whole host of emotions and disruptions that are inappropriate for a community longing for wholeness. Therefore, in discernment we follow that biblical command by extending a hug when welcomed or a handshake when greeting others in Christian community.
The main note of God’s word is not that you follow a set of rules or merely read inspiring stories. The Bible, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is an invitation to walk with God in becoming a virtuous and wise person who more naturally lives into God’s design.
Applying the Principle
I invite you to see the Bible more as a Jolly Rancher candy than a gummy bear. It is not meant to be consumed quickly. It is meant to stay with us and slowly be absorbed. It takes time to read and reread. We lean into the wisdom of scholars, commentators, and pastors who have spent extensive time in the text, the original languages, and context. We read in light of the whole biblical narrative what it is God is inviting us to be and do in his world. It takes time to understand the logic of a text, not merely quote the command. It takes time to discern what obedience and faithfulness looks like incarnate in your life and the life of a community.
So how do we read the Scriptures as wisdom literature? Here are three principles that are crucial to becoming wise from God’s word.
1) Take your time. James’ words to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19) are a good reminder when reading and studying God through his word. Often the easy answer is not what we need. We need wisdom for living out Christ’s calling in our life. Notice patterns, not merely one-off responses. Meditate on a passage like the psalmists calls us to by chewing on the metaphors and images again and again. Jesus asks us to enter his yoke and learn from him. Becoming virtuous is a long road, and it won’t happen by just “getting the answer.”
2) Ask God for wisdom, not merely answers. Consider what the whole Bible is asking the reader, “Where are you getting your wisdom?” Adam and Eve took wisdom for themselves rather than waiting slowly to grow up with God. Solomon was praised because he asked God for wisdom. James in his letter tells us that God will answer our request for wisdom. So don’t just ask for the short-term answer. It’s rarely what we need, and it’s rarely what faithful presence looks like. Ask for wisdom.
3) Let the Bible shape your imagination of who you are called to become. Don’t just look for what to do. Instead, ask what is the telos (end/goal) of humanity? What was God’s original design? How has that been echoed across the biblical narrative? How is that echoed in this particular text or not? How does it echo uniquely in your life?
May we, through time, become wise in our time, shaped by the only wise God over all time through the timeless Bible.
