At a recent Christian youth event, the keynote speaker had, as the scripture reading, 1 Kings 18. A key excerpt from the chapter,
And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
1 Kings 18:36-38
ESVSeems straightforward, doesn't it?
Yet, per my daughter's notes, the speaker at the event proceeded to tell the youth in the audience that:
Fire was the answer then and fire is the answer now. He (God) wants to set you on fire and show the world that He is God. God's will is to reveal Himself through a people blazing with power and purity and love. We can ask God for fire - but don't ask like the prophets of Baal - we do not earn God's Spirit - that is the way of idolatry.
No, no, no, no, no!
What is it about our self-absorbed culture which mandates that we, as 21st century Western Christians, must find within Biblical passages some connection of how it directly applies to us? Why are crude analogies constructed, linking some present day action with selected excerpts from the text, regardless of whether said analogies have anything to do with the actual meaning of the text in question? This may come as a surprise to many evangelicals out there, but most of the Bible wasn't written - directly - to us.
Granted, the notion that God wants us to "be on fire", showing the world He is God, is not necessarily a false one. It's just that the text of 1 Kings 18 doesn't say that.
In 2001 I attended a lecture by Walt Russell, a BIOLA professor and author of the book, Playing With Fire. His talk was instrumental in illustrating the proper methodology one must take in interpreting the Bible (or, any text, for that matter). Through a proper understanding of literary genres, author's intent, public meaning, personal significance, etc., he laid out the groundwork for how we should approach not only our own reading of the text, but a teacher's lecture or a pastor's sermon.
With regards to 1 Kings 18 we should be aware that the genre of the text is that of historical narrative, an Old Testament narrative, to be specific. Within the Old Testament narratives we need to understand that, while there is typically a central human figure in the story, the central figure (or, hero) of the story is always God. Such narratives should reinforce God's eternal plan, as laid out through human history, as well as provide a bridge to illustrate our continuity with the children of Israel (as the people of God). Secondarily, such narratives also give us a glimpse at both positive and negative role models within the old covenant of believers.
Thus, if we were to read 1 Kings 18 with the mindset of "what does this passage mean?", we would no doubt see that God had brought a drought on the land and had told Elijah that He was going to now bring rain. Of note here is the fact that Ahab had abandoned the Lord's commandments and followed Baal. Elijah sets up the confrontation between the prophets of Baal and the Lord God, boldly stating that "If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." Of course the prophets of Baal can do nothing and, after Elijah taunts them, he calls on the Lord God (the hero of the story) to bring fire down from the heavens. The chapter concludes with God bringing the rain he had promised.
Is it so difficult to now look at the passage and ask, what does this passage tell us about God and His plan? Is it so difficult to see that the Lord God is one, is a jealous God, is compassionate for His sheep, is creator of all, and is worthy of worship?
Yes, we 21st century Christians should be on fire for God. We should be showing the world God's love and, in effect, that He is God. But we shouldn't be about loosely grabbing His Word for backup text to such notions. It's not only a lazy way to read His Word but, if taken to extremes, can be quite flippant. Consider that, if we aren't to ask like the prophets of Baal, what would be the consequences? - our imminent slaughter? Or, if we are to be set on fire, like the altar Elijah prepared was, what and when are the jars of water to be poured over us? False analogies have a tendency to break down pretty quickly.
So, let's stick with meaning inherent to the text.
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