Proclaimer Blog
1 Timothy: what kind of book?
We’re close to finishing a series on 1 Timothy at church. It’s been – I think – a really helpful reminder of what church is all about. The book is sometimes rather harshly described as a “church manual” which makes it sound (to most) the least exciting book in the whole canon. Of course, there will be some people who read their fridge-freezer operating guide from cover to cover before plugging in, but most of us know how our Smeg works and the thick multi-language guide generally stays in its cover. Until things go wrong. Then, naturally, we’re all over it.
And so it is with 1 Timothy, people think. It only comes out when absolutely necessary. Well, if that’s your view, I could forgive you for thinking how dull it must be. But the metaphor is all wrong. If we must use a metaphor such as this, then 1 Timothy is not an operating manual, it’s a sea chart for a rocky shore. On my wall, I have such a chart of the Thames Estuary, where I grew up. It’s detailed, complex and – this is my point – absolutely indispensable. After all, some “have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.”
No sailor worth his salt would put to sea without a chart. And no church worth its salt would neglect such an important book.