"This is a worthwhile project,
both in its initial enactment and retelling here and for
small groups in other settings. In sharing their stories
about scripture the contributors to this book were able
to connect on a human level, despite varying
interpretations on divisive issues. This commitment to
talk to, rather than past, each other gives me a
heartening glimpse of the beginnings of community
theology. The value of this book lies beyond the stories
themselves. The authors and contributors also lay out the
rationale, model, and presuppositions for this project in
a way that allows us, the readers, to imagine joining in
our own endeavors of doing community theology." "These personal stories of
encounter with the Bible illustrate how and why arguments
about the authority of Scripture are often less
persuasive (and less interesting!) than stories about how
Scripture has proved transformative and authoritative in
the lives and stories of believers. Here in these stories
we experience anew the fresh joys of discovery, of
journey, and of new insights. Here is the stuff of life,
of memory, of growth, of peoplehood, of identity, the
story of encounter with the word . . . and with the
Word." "All persons in the global Christian family believe that they interpret the Scripture correctly. Who in their right mind would admit otherwise? So when Christian communions discern the meaning of scripture differently, our tendency is to defend our own interpretation and use whatever methods available, many times means that make Jesus grieve, to convince them to recognize our conclusions. "Is there such a thing as objective truth in regard to scriptural interpretation? Would we even know it if presented to us? Is it important to listen to another interpretation different than ours, understanding that the Spirit can reveal an interpretation to that person, just as the Spirit does to me, even when we disagree? How do we wrestle together with something this crucial? "I have been fascinated by the awareness that, all too often, persons who are so sure about their interpretation on a certain issue, will have changed their minds several years later when confronted with new information or a life experience. Rarely are they reflective enough to recognize the change. "What is intriguing about this book is the recognition that each person, as part of the hermeneutical community, comes to biblical interpretation out of the context of their own story, a story rich in meaning and full of insight. Only after spending the necessary time of listening, both to the text and to the person, can the community of faith carefully discern how God wants to form and inform the church. "These representative stories are
thoroughly absorbing, captivating and mesmerizing to the
reader. There are similar stories in each of our
congregations, equally compelling. May the church learn
the significance of waiting on God and each other as we
continue to carefully and sensitively mine this Word we
call God’s Word." "The phrase biblical authority
is one of the ‘stuck’ terms in Christian
discourse. In discussion on controversial matters, almost
everyone appeals to the authority of scripture in support
of their position, whether explicitly or implicitly. But
such appeals often do more to deepen antagonism than to
advance the debate. Recognizing this dilemma, a diverse
group of scholars, church leaders and administrators met
over a weekend in 2002 to experiment with a new way of
appropriating the authoritative witness of
scripture—through telling personal stories of how
the Bible has done its magic in their lived experience as
readers. This stimulating and suggestive book is the
result. It not only engages our interest, as all good
storytelling does, it provides a genuinely fresh approach
to the demanding task of biblical interpretation. It
offers a wonderful model of biblical engagement as a
peacemaking, rather than a division-deepening, exercise.
Now we should all go and do likewise." "Like the vibrant voices of a
mixed CD, Telling Our Stories blends the personal
tales of nearly two dozen Mennonite pilgrims. The heart
of the book contains 21 brief chapters, each describing,
with candor and vulnerability, a unique spiritual journey
with scripture. Some of the voices on the CD seem
dissonant, but together they challenge us to consider our
own paradigm for biblical interpretation. I was left with
the question, "How has my view and interpretation of
scripture changed over the years?" Telling Our
Stories is highly accessible, yet challenging and
thought provoking." Telling Our Stories orders:
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