STEPHANIE HUBACH | CONTRIBUTOR

In recent weeks, since a tragic mid-air collision over the Potomac River in Washington DC, I’ve heard many people say, “I don’t want to fly again anytime soon!” I can understand that sentiment.  We become aware of our human frailty in bold relief at times like this. However, I’ve flown into Reagan National Airport many times over the years. Some of those flights are quite memorable to me, especially when we landed at night. Reagan National Airport sits right on the banks of the Potomac River, and often the planes follow what is called “the river approach” when landing. On a clear night, passengers have an astonishing view of our nation’s capital from the air as the plane winds along the twisting path of the river. With each building lit up at night, one can see how the Washington monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the White House, the Capitol, and the Smithsonian Institution are all arrayed in relationship to each other. It is a stunning perspective! I’d fly it again in a heartbeat—just to take in the view.

In a similar way, when we take an aerial perspective to the Scriptures—through the lens of biblical theology—we can suddenly see how all of the parts relate to the whole. We can see—lit up, if you will—how the major themes of Scripture tie together the grand story that God is authoring. What is that grand story—the “meta-narrative” of Scripture? And how does it relate to how we pursue women’s ministry in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)?

What is the “River Approach” to Flying Over Scripture?

The “river approach” to flying over Scripture—or the aerial view—helps us to step back and see the sweeping themes of how God is at work in the world, and where things are headed. This is often described as the Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Consummation (or New Creation) paradigm.

Think of the Bible as describing a great drama that is unfolding—and God himself is the playwright. The first act of that drama is God’s Creation of all things. The second act of that drama is the Fall of humanity and all of its consequences. The third act of that drama is the unfolding of Redemption that comes through Christ. And the final act of that drama has yet to be revealed to us: the Consummation of Christ’s already-not-yet kingdom, also known as the New Creation—when heaven comes down-to-earth and all things are made new.

What helps tremendously in this perspective is that it reminds us Who is the author of the story. God is not scrambling to respond when something goes “wrong” in the unfolding storyline. In his sovereignty, he has already conceived of and determined what each act will look like, and how the story will end. In his greatness and his goodness he will see the story through for his glory and for the good of his people.

What is the Heart of Women’s Ministries?

Let’s turn our attention to women’s ministries for a moment. The central purpose of women’s ministries in the PCA is “that every woman know Christ personally and be committed to extending His Kingdom in her life, home, church, community, and throughout the world.” The means by which this happens is by cultivating a “Word-based and relationally driven ministry that strengthens the entire church.”

In other words, the purpose of women’s ministries is for women to know the saving reign of King Jesus and to be his kingdom agents, through whom his restorative power flows, to all the spheres of life. And this happens as we study and apply his word together in ways that foster the union with Christ that we have as a community of believers and that encourages the life-transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives collectively.

How Do These Fit Together?

How does the idea of biblical theology—flying over the Scriptures from a “river approach” help us fulfill the purpose of women’s ministries while employing its means? For those of you who know me well, you know what comes next. A chart.

When we have a commitment to engaging the Scriptures in the context of the over-arching paradigm of God’s story it allows us to wrestle together with life’s big questions. Four are listed in this chart above:

1) Who am I?

2) Why is life so hard?

3) How can anything get better?

4) Where does our true hope lie?

Now, I’m not saying that these four questions are the only big questions in life! I’m simply demonstrating that taking the “river approach” can enable us to apply God’s word in a relational context that addresses these questions in such a way that we are driven to Jesus and the power and hope of his gospel. It is amazing how, using this approach, we can navigate these issues with both those who have known the saving power of Christ for years, and with those who have yet to embrace the saving reign of Jesus in their lives.

To explore this more, “tune into” the next post, Part 2, and we’ll flesh this out in detail!

Photo by Will Suddreth on Unsplash