Cereal-Aisle Hermeneutics

The grocery store cereal aisle has become a common metaphor for distinguishing the West from the rest of the world, and rightly so. Just after we moved to Eastern Europe years ago, my family and I began the hunt for cereal in our city. We found three options. Yes, three. First we were disappointed, then resentful. Really? Only Honey Nut Cheerios, off-brand corn flakes, and Muesli?

Yet limitation birthed newfound freedom, a liberty far preferable to our former cornflake cornucopia. We discovered the clarity and joy of simplicity. No longer was the cereal aisle an enemy of contentment, but in its simplicity we discovered a peaceful, non-confusing isle of contentment.

A message lies behind the plethora of choices. It is actually quite simple. Cereal choice is completely up to me. I really am Cap'n Crunch. I am Count Chocula.

Cereal Aisle of Hermeneutics

Combating the "cereal aisle" of contemporary thought, Scripture does not put us in the place of autonomy or sovereignty. We are created, not Creator. We are stewards, not owners.

These categorical truths, which dominate the pages of the Scripture, must take their rightful place in our study of it. We are recipients of Scripture's meaning, not creators of it. Read more