David’s Ark?

Chris Green argues that Scripture is written with “pitch” or “spin.” In baseball a pitcher puts spin on the ball he throws to the batter and depending on who the batter is—how they swing, whether they are left-handed or right-handed—the same pitch will come off their bats in two totally different direction. Scripture is written with “pitch” in much the same way. Depending on whose reading it, where they are at in life, their social position, etc., Scripture hits us differently.This isn’t a flaw in the Scriptures. The Spirit gives the words to us this way, causing us to wrestle with them, so that we come to know the Word.You can read many of the stories of David in two completely different—sometimes opposite—ways. Part of growing in wisdom means that you are able to recognize the various readings Scripture makes available.No story in David’s life has more “pitch” on it than the story of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the City of David, dancing with all his might. If we don’t recognize the “spin” that this story has on it we will end up reading it simplistically. David is the good guy who is just trying his best to worship God with everything he has. Michal is the harsh, bitter woman who is too stuck-up to recognize David’s authentic worship.But things are never that simple. Not in life; not in Scripture. And the Scriptures know this best. This is why Scripture is true.In his book David’s Truth in Israel’s Imagination and Memory Walter Brueggemann makes this point:“[Scripture knows that] the power of the truth always comes with scars…”The truth is painful. David’s truth is painful precisely because he is human. And the closer we attend to David’s truth—especially when it hurts—the better we will see the truth of ourselves.I think the poet W.H. Auden has his finger on it in this stanza (emphasis added):Though the heart like a clever Conjuror or dancer Deceive you often into many A curious sleight And motives like stowaways Are found too late. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cameroncombs.substack.com