“When the Scriptures are used maturely, they proceed in this order:
They confront us with a bigger picture than we are used to: God’s kingdom, which has the potential to deconstruct our false and smaller kingdoms.
Then they have the power to convert us to an alternative world view by proclamation, grace, and the sheer attraction of the good, the true, and the beautiful (not by shame, guilt, or fear which are low-level motivations, but which operate more quickly and so churches often resort to them.)
Then they console us and bring deep healing as they reconstruct us in a new place with a new mind and heart. If you seek consolation as the first meaning of the biblical text, you never get very far, because the small self or ego is still directing the mind and heart.”
-Richard Rohr