Peter & The Wolf

The Intro
Did God create the universe in six physical days? Was there a world-wide flood? Were there actual giants? Are there such things as demons? Hasn't archaeology disproved the Biblical record of events? What, as Pilate asked, is truth?

Here's a well known story followed by a spoof debate by learned scholars on the text... all rounded off by some provocative thoughts from us both!
 
The Story
Once, a long time ago there was a boy called Peter. He lived with his family in a log cabin high in the forest. Every day before he went out to play his parents would say to him 'Now Peter, don't forget, if you see a wolf, don't go near it, don't run, just shout as loud as you can "WOLF" and we will come and save you'. Every day Peter played outside in a clearing around the cabin. He never saw a wolf, but he did like the idea of his parents giving him all the attention so one day when he was a little bored he shouted at the top of his voice "WOLF, WOLF". He loved watching his Father come running with his gun, loved the hug he got from his mum when they knew he was safe, loved the extra attention he received during the rest of the day. In fact, it was so good that the rest of the week seemed very ordinary. So on Saturday he did it again. Then on Monday. And Tuesday. And twice on Wednesday. By the end of the following week the attention he was getting wasn't at all what he wanted. Now he was being scolded, being accused of lying, of worrying his parents.

Miserable, Peter went out to play. He was so caught up in his own sorrow that he didn't notice the wolf at first. But there it was. Five foot long and three foot high it looked to Peter as if it could eat him in one bite. He tried to scream, but at first, no sound came. Then, terrified, as it moved in for the kill, he shouted his last words. "WOLF, WOLF".

The Analysis
If this were a biblical text you could imagine the experts poring over it. Here's a sample:

Dr P. Wolf: The use of the word gun dates the story not earlier than the 18th century, however, archaelogical evidnce suggest that log cabins had fallen into disuse by this point, calling into doubt the credilibity of this source. Further, the description of the wolf points to the 'Gray Wolf' which was not known in this region until the 19th century. Finally, the name 'Peter' points to a Russian influence quite contrary to any demographic evidence. All these taken together convince most scholars that the events described are not historically rooted, calling into question the 'truth' supposedly at the heart of this story.

Professor W. Peterson, Wolfsburg University: The story of Peter and the Wolf  is clearly about the journey from adolescence to sexual maturity. The wolf is a metaphor for the fear that the boy has of his emerging sexuality, made worse by his over-bearing parent's instructions to avoid sex (making the analogy of the wolf). They are transferring their own repressed sexuality onto their son who nonetheless experiments with increasing frequency 'on Saturday he did it again..' and finally 'and twice on Wednesday'. In the end he finds sexual liberation symbolised by being devoured by the wolf - and having found this freedom, leaves the shackles of home.

Ms C Blogwriter, It's about not getting eaten by wolves! If you learn from Peter's tragic mistake, you might not get eaten by a wolf! When the teeth sank into the poor boys throat, he wasn't thinking about metaphor, symbolism or historical accuracy. He wasn't even thinking about sex. If he had a last thought it was probably 'oh God, I wish I'd not lied'. I know I'm not a scholar and have no credibility saying such things, but aren't you MISSING THE POINT?

The Truth
Did Peter really exist? Was there a wolf - and did it kill Peter, or as in other versions of the story, merely scare him? Most ordinary people would rapidly conclude that the truth in the story is that dishonesty has consequences that lead to a lack of trust. Ultimately, lack of trust can be fatal.That truth does not depend in any way on the answers to those questions. Practically, it makes no difference to the point, the heart, the meaning, the purpose of the story, whether or not there was a real Peter or a real wolf. Whether this is made up or an historical event makes no difference. The truth remains the same. Lie and you will not be trusted, At some point that might make all the difference in the world.

The point
So here's a thought; people are being eaten by wolves spiritually. What they need is to hear and  heed the truth that is in Scripture. Not the science, not the history, not the originial Greek or Hebrew meanings of obscure words, but the plain, clear as day truth.

Catherine's thoughts: We so often get wound up in the detail, tied up by it, and lose the freedom that the Gospel truth brings, we gain facts and lose the relationship. The bible becomes like a science textbook where precision is everything rather than a living word. I have lived most of my church life like this, needing to try and learn each verse perfectly, rather than allowing the living word to work, to seep into my heart and transform me from the inside out. Reading the bible became like work, a job to do and I kind of missed the point. Like seeing a sunrise in grey instead of vibrant, alive, transforming, colour. It's the problem the Pharisees had: very good at reciting the scripture, very good at using words to argue their point, but hopeless at making a difference. Jesus described some of them as 'whitewashed tombs'.

David's thoughts: I like Catherine's take on this - let me give you a concrete example. The truth revealed in Genesis 1-3 includes: God is a loving relationship passionate about communicating with the significant creatures He has made. He loves them enough to give them the freedom to hurt themselves and Him. He gives then real and genuine authority, He makes male and female utterly equal before Him and both are culpable in rejecting God's love. Nonetheless he loves enough to plan a redemptive future in which we today can participate such that the original mandate to 'go, increase, bring the world into beautiful submission to my kingship' can be accomplished 'go into all the world and make disciples...' Which of these extraordinary, life giving, life changing truths is changed one iota whether the process of creation is a metaphor, a conveient device for sharing these truths, or a scientific treatise? Jesus said 'I am the way, the truth, the life...' Let's live it!

The True Word

Your word is like a sword not passive like a stone
It doesn't look for nit pickers or for some mistake to moan
It is there to build up love, and break in to people lives
to cut our calloused hearts and transform us as your bride
Its there to help reveal the heart of you my God,
the beauty and the purity of your unending love