Counseling Tips 101

Alternative title: Things I wish I had Known.

Literaly Speaking

My summers in the late 70’s and early 80’s were spent with a small construction crew building concrete homes in the Florida Keys. One hot, sticky August afternoon, we were tying steel on a 1^st floor slab. Three of us: Nick, a college student, and Jim, a full-timer were all laboring together in the humidity of a tropical summer; we were fairly good friends. And as friends do, we kidded among ourselves.

Nick had a great sense of humor, if a wee bit naive. I had known him for several years; he had attended the school where I taught and had played on the basketball team I coached during his time in high school.

Jim and I often partnered together in pulling gags on Nick. It was “harmless” amusement to help pass the day. Harmless, unless we ribbed Nick too far, then we would pay for our indiscretions. Rarely, did Nick verbally pay us back; so he would resort to physical abuse. He was very strong, if we pushed him too far Nick would hold us above his head and spin around and around. It became a game for Jim and me. The game was to tease Nick until he threatened you with a spin but you lost if he actually did it.

Back to the afternoon in August, we were tying steel on a slab 12 – 15 feet above the ground when Jim asked Nick to “Hop on down and get me a (tool)” A very normal request for a carpenter to give to a laborer.

Nick responded with a crisp and loud, “Yes, sir!” Then he began to hop – and continued hopping – with a big silly grin, until he disappeared over the edge of the building.

Jim gasped and turned white, as we both ran to the edge of the overhang. There was Nick laughing, lying on a huge pile of sand that he knew would break his fall. Finally, Nick had pulled one over on Jim.

For a long time after that Jim would tell Nick not to take him so literally and was a little more cautious in what he said. But I’ve been thinking lately about literalism. Literalism has a bad rap among some writers I read, and people I consider friends, particularly in the online emerging conversation.

But I wonder, if we took some of what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James and the other NT writers said literally would there be a sand pile to catch us?

I’m sure you see where I’m going here. For some literalism is emphasizing that the Bible is literally inerrant, not only in matters of faith and practice, but also in terms of being a literal historical record. I grew up with such teachings and for most of my life never really considered any other possibility.

What I am concerned about is that literalism has since been expanded, by analogy, to refer to a variety of religious, political, and ideological positions. The limitations of such readings have alienated many people who would otherwise remain part of the church.

Recently there has been an interesting discussion regarding inerrancy over at the CRM blog. (Here is a LINK , also check out the three-part interview with Dan Wallace)

But I have been thinking that perhaps we are not taking scripture literally enough. We certainly look as crazy as Nick hopping off the edge of a building when we forgive. You know take literally the 70 x 7 thing. Or maybe something easier, perhaps performing our good works to glorify our Father rather than ourselves. Or stepping in faith out to pray for someone’s healing.

Taking scripture literally for some is about six-24 hour days of creation or a garden, tree, and a snake. That’s fine, but I wonder if we should be more literal about trusting in an unwavering non-logical love of a Father who is calling us home and has a robe, ring, and a great party planned no matter how we have squandered the family’s money, and telling all the other prodigals that Dad isn’t mad at us.

And when I hop off the ledge believing God wants me to bring peace or healing, or a just a meal to help point a brother or sister home, don’t be alarmed, I know where the sand piles are located.