blasphemy

I was recently reminded of an event that occurred several years ago. I was accused of blaspheming the Word of God.
I was speaking at one of the fundamentalist conservative theologically Baptist, Bible institutes in my past. I took the opportunity to speak there because I thought it would be kind of fun to visit the old campus, and possibly enter into some form of dialogue with one or two familiar faces still in the administration. I was philosophically and theologically much different than when I was a student but I was hopeful to engage in conversation and would be beneficial and hopefully eye-opening to those who were still there.( this was a modern concept of mine that needed to change.I was not the one who changes things or the only one who knows what is right)
I spoke from John chapter 6, and used the narrative approach. I knew the lack of a three-point outline and alliteration would be a stretch for many of the students. I know this because I am so familiar with the training that this institute is committed to. They were and are a perfect picture at modernity and its "if we are right and everyone else must be wrong" mentality.
I forged ahead, and had a blast.
When I was finished I spent close to 45 minutes with the a variety of students who were amazed, mystified, and touched by the scripture passage that they were also very familiar with. I was saddened and amazed that these poor students were so isolated and limited in their exposure that what I did would be so odd and impacting in their life's experience. I left that day after several more conversations with administrators and staff that remembered me. None of those administrators were in Chapel but they thanked me for coming and I drove away a lot disappointed, but a little hopeful that maybe next time we could talk seriously.

About a week later I got an e-mail. One of the students was accusing me of blasphemy. The administration wanted an immediate apology.
I spent hours replaying the message in my mind. I could find no recollection of ever coming close to such an egregious accusation.
I attempted to communicate with the administrators to try to gain some understanding as to where the accusation was coming from, and what exactly it was that pushed it over the line at least in their interpretation of wear that line was.
I was not given an answer, I was not allowed to speak with my accuser or communicate with them in any way.
I debated for a long time (about three hours) and decided for the sake of the offended party I would apologize. I made it clear in my apology I was unaware of my offense at the time and that I would love to entertain a dialogue around the accusation. My apology was read in front of the student body, no dialogue was introduced.
I continued to make a couple of attempts to interact with the deans. I got a cryptic reference that I treated the words of Jesus to casually during the Chapel. That was it. No more interaction, no more relationship.

I do recall speaking, actually quoting the words of Jesus as he was speaking with his disciples. I read them directly from the Bible and did my best to make them sound as though they were an interaction between friends (which is what Jesus and the disciples were). I guess that was it. In a true testament to the foundationalist mindset of the modern era the letter of the words were more important than the spirit in which they were spoken.
In another testament to the modern era once I was accused the relationship was ended. The need to stay pure and "right" was greater than the need to stay connected in order to strengthen one other.
It only took one 17-year-old student to suggest that I was theologically unsound and suddenly all relational connections had to be severed so that the "word" of God would be protected.

I understand the big picture... well at least a bigger snapshot then having to be accepted by that particular institute. I just feel bad that the potential of influence that they had has been marginalized by their lack of freedom and grace. That in the name of the letter of the law (words in the Bible) they have lost the spirit of relational transformation that the postmodern era brings with it.
I used to desire to change the modern mindsets of so many ministries and academic institutions. I now just desire to journey with God. I now understand that the existence of ministries, churches, and institutions are in His hands and it is not up to me to change them.
I do hope some day to find out why no one in the administration there even listened to the message on tape before they accuse me, and before they erased all records and access to the recording.

The Word of God is alive, and God is still speaking