God's Plumb Line

In a highly polarized society, how are we to know which position on an issue reflects God’s will? Christians commonly appeal to what the Bible says to determine God’s will. “The Bible says!” They assume it must be God’s will because the Bible says it.

The Bible does teach us how to know God’s will, but it points beyond itself to a way of thinking shaped by the Spirit—what the book of Colossians calls spiritual wisdom and understanding. We discern God’s will by thinking theologically. Knowing God’s will requires more than knowing what the Bible says. How to think theologically about what the Bible says is needed.

God’s character as reflected in Jesus of Nazareth is the key to thinking theologically. In our efforts to know God’s will, we Christians must interpret what the Bible says in keeping with who Jesus revealed God to be. We must embrace understandings and positions that reflect the spirit of Jesus.

This book presents seven markers, grounded in the character of God as revealed in Jesus, for understanding what the Bible says, so that our understanding reflects the love of God we see in Jesus. Borrowing an image from the prophet Amos, these seven markers make up God’s Plumb Line. They outline a way of thinking theologically so that our hearts align with the heart of God and our minds with the mind of Christ.

Steve Langford—also known as Pastor Steve—has dedicated his adult life to the study and teaching of scripture in the local church with a focus on spiritual formation. In the spiritual communities in which he has walked, he is known as a gifted teacher with a prophetic spirit. He served as a pastor for fifty years, first in Baptist life and then as an ordained elder in the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since retiring in 2019, he serves as a spiritual guide, Bible study teacher, and Bowen Family Systems coach/counselor in addition to writing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Howard Payne University along with master and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His post-doctoral work has been in Bowen Family System Theory with an applied focus on spiritual formation and leadership in the local church. Pastor Steve is married to Etta, his wife of fifty years. They have three adult sons and four grandchildren.