O'Driscoll on Scripture

O’Driscoll, Herbert. “Living Scripture: The Guidance of God on the Journey of Life.”

Toronto: Path Books, 2004

Reviewed by Adrian Peetoom

Years ago I read a book called “Moments of Decision,” either written by former US president John F. Kennedy, or about him (too long ago for me to be precise). O’Driscoll’s book could easily have had the same title.  In it this former Dean of Christ Church Cathedral (Anglican) in Vancouver looks at a number biblical vignettes, and explores how in each the Spirit of God inspired a biblical character to act in a certain way. There are lessons to be learned from them, “…if only we stop thinking of scripture as being long ago and all about holy people utterly unlike us who have become flattened and one dimensional  between its pages.”

In his own words, “The plan of this book is simple. I have grouped together men and women whose lives show us a certain truth about human experience. There are eight of these groups, and each group is introduced by a short reflection. I invite you to meet these people.” (P.8)

Here is the list, each character caught in a moment of decision (some more than once):

Peter, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Moses, Deborah, David, Jeremiah, Esther, Priscilla, Paul, Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, the Prodigal Son, (King) Saul, Pontius Pilate, Michal, Naaman, Bathsheba, the (gospel)  woman with a medical condition, (disciples) James and John, Joab, Naomi-Ruth.

17 from the Old Testament, 8 from the New Testament.

17 men, 8 women.

A memorable easy read.  Here is s ample summary of one treatment.

The book of Judges is an ebb and flow of Israel’s loose living, their cries for help, and Yahweh’s recurring restoring grace. In chapter 4 Yahweh’s grace comes in the form of judge Deborah. She must have been a woman of extraordinary gifts, and because of her gifts became recognized as an authority, and hence was given power. But she exercised her power in community, requesting the battlefield leadership role of Barak. This experienced fighter accepts this “commission,” but only if Deborah promises to come with him to the battlefield.  Here is O’Driscoll’s conclusion.

“In our own projects and plans, success begins when we realize that we cannot always succeed in a particular enterprise alone. ..It takes inner security to invite people with gifts differing from our own…In the wedding of differences lies success.

For a Christian there is another factor. If our enterprise is laid before God in prayer, and if our prayer is not merely asking for success but rather offering our work to God so that his will may be done through it, and it four prayer is also asking for guidance in the work – then we may gain a sense of grace about what we are doing that will strengthen and enrich  the whole endeavour. “ (35)