John 7:48-52 is a good window into the way people, especially the learned ones, can confidently say they are biblical, that they are committed to the Scriptures and yet miss the God of Scriptures. Jesus, God in human body, is right in front of them explaining the meaning of Scriptures, history, theology and yet because of their bent toward their particular system of theology they can’t get His message. They are willing to exchange the Truth for their truth of all reasons due to their commitment to Scriptures.

This is a serious warning for all of us committed to Scriptures. Our commitment to Scriptures has to be kept in check first and foremost by our commitment to God. As we develop systems to help us navigate and make sense of our understanding of Scriptures let’s not canonize them to the degree that they can’t be broken and changed. Let’s regard them as just temporary guides in need of constant replacement along the journey of knowing and experiencing God. Let’s not be so obsessed with heresies that we force God to fit certain constructs but allow Him to be God and surprise us. After all He is more committed to us than we are committed to Him. Let’s rest assure in this and allow Him the freedom to move in His own ways, to be God. Yes we need to be committed to Scriptures, but not more than the God of the Scriptures. It is a fine line we need to wrestle with, yet it needs to be in constant check.

John 7:48-52