Ways to read the Bible, that is.
Now that we’re several weeks into the Narrative Lectionary, again working our way through the story of Scripture, I’m mindful of the many ways to read this astounding and confounding collection of writings we call the Bible. Here are two, ever-present for me:
A Critical Reading: Reading the Bible critically is essential to understanding it. Scholars who take into account archeology, the preserved texts of surrounding cultures, and original languages provide crucial insights. For example: We can learn that the Exodus 15 “Song of Moses” after the Israelites cross the Red Sea, is some of the oldest language in the Bible, a poem in archaic Hebrew; AND that the conquest of Canaan in Joshua is largely a fiction, with archeological evidence pointing toward biblical Israel emerging out of the Canaanite people themselves.
A critical reading can also involve being morally critical of some of the claims of scripture, like God demanding the destruction of enemy armies. Or patriarchy throughout the Bible. Or Paul’s teachings regarding sexual ethics or even salvation.
A Generous Reading: A generous reading can be fully aware and affirming of the gifts of a critical reading, while still allowing the biblical stories to prod and guide us. Just because the Garden of Eden story isn’t historical and can be used against women (and has been) doesn’t mean there’s no wisdom there for us in our time of gobbling more fruit from the tree of knowledge beyond previous boundaries. You don’t have to believe in a literal hell to see how we create our own hell-ish prisons of self-deceit. A generous reading can have a critical eye toward the differing empty tomb accounts in the gospels, while celebrating the unique perspective each offers into what resurrection might mean then and now.
After letting go of a literal reading, whatever that means, and exploring a critical reading, there can be a way to engage scripture in a way that is generous, and even playful. And sometimes that literal meaning is still the most astounding. For example, from Sunday: “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.” Luke 6:35
Joel
If you’re looking for ways to support the Haitian community in Springfield, consider giving to the Haitian Community Help and Support Center. Founded in December of 2023, it’s a Springfield-based Haitian-led organization focused on serving the local population with housing, interpretation, and job searches.
