Worin besteht die Autorität der »Heiligen Schrift«? Anmerkungen zum Umgang mit der Bibel im Gottesdienst

Provided that they are dealt with appropriately, the authority of biblical texts lies in their ability to document how human beings in their faith appear as human. The importance of biblical texts does not arise from their origin »from above« but from a hermeneutical process in which human beings receive incentives for this and obtain ideas themselves on what it means to live in freedom, love and serenity based on faith. Each explicit or implicit reference to the authority of the scriptures in the church service requires an accompanying legitimization that the intention and the impact of the sermon and the liturgy are to support human beings to live their lives by faith and in doing so not to violate their dignity.