7 Tips on How to Read the Bible

The Bible is not an acronym for Basic.Instructions.Before.Leaving.Earth.

The Bible is not a tool to bring hate and judgment on people who disagree with you about the Bible.

The Bible is not "just simple and clear and anyone can read it and understand it at face value."

The Bible is not the third member of the Trinity.

The Bible does not determine whether we should be Republican or Democrat.

When it comes to the Bible, there are a lot of things the Bible is and is not. Plenty of people in different times, in different cultures, in different languages, in different denominations, all tend to think that their perspective on the Bible is the "right" perspective. Even me starting with a few statements about what the Bible is not carries a little bit of arrogance. 

Who gets to decide?

Who has the final say?

Why do they get to be the ones to decide?

Why does there have to be a final say?

These are questions that skeptics typically ask and are often the reasons why people walk away from churches, God, and the faith. It's not necessarily always the content that people don't like; it's, at times, how that very content is presented, as well as the rationale behind it. There can be a defensive tone when trying to convince skeptics. Defensiveness then turns to bitterness; and bitterness turns to division and division pushes people away. There is so much fighting about the Bible; typically among Christians.

Plenty of ink has been spilled on how to read it, understand it, and apply it. There are certainly academic and scholarly resources to back up these practices. I, for one, love the Bible for multiple reasons and continue to find it to be like a diamond with many cuts--one that I hold up to the light and shift and turn and see all of the different facets of its beauty.

There's a certain awe, wonder, 

and even HUMILITY 

that is required 

when approaching the Bible.

Yes, I said humility. Let's hone in on that one for just a moment. When you read the Bible, have you ever considered:

• That another culture might read it differently than you?
• That the English translation might not fully capture the weight of what was said in the original language?
• That the words weren't first written to YOU?
• That your first understanding of the text might not be right? Or the only understanding?
• That a particular passage or story might carry multiple meanings?
• That it's not just about you and for you; but that it includes entire communities?
• That it wasn't written by people in power, but people who were oppressed?
• That it has and continues to be used to diminish and dehumanize people?

It's important to talk about credibility, genre, context, authorship, authority as well as many other reasons why the Bible is trustworthy purely as a literary and divine work. But, for now, can we just agree that we need to approach the Bible with humility and remove our personal and cultural biases as much as humanly possible in order to get out of our individualistic selves and arrogance?

How do we do that? Here are just a few tips:

1. It's important to read it. Period. Don't refrain from reading it because of the challenge or complexity that comes with it. We read other books and watch other TV shows and movies that have all kinds of plot twists, corruption, sadness, pain, joy, and celebration in them all the time. The Bible is a large narrative telling the story of God and God's people. Don't just read one verse at a time, but read before and after that verse so you can gain a greater context. It does, in fact, contain a giant story. Sometimes, it feels like 246 seasons of Game of Thrones (I just made up that number).
2. It's important to read it with community. Yes, read it on your own, but don't neglect reading it in community, so that you can ask questions and not only think of it through an individualistic lens. Attend church gatherings, join a small group Bible study, and listen to others talk about the Bible.
3. It's important to jot down notes and/or questions. Once you read something, if you don't understand it, don't make something up in your head about what you think it says. Write down a question to ask later to someone who has dedicated more time and effort to a fuller reading and understanding of the Scriptures. At LifeChurch Canton, we do Table Talk Thursdays on Facebook with our pastors.
4. It's important to leave room for wonder and mystery. Don't feel the pressure to have all of the answers. You're going to come across things that are really confusing about God and God's people. Even after discussing it with someone, you might still not feel resolved. That's ok, because nuance is allowed.
5. It's important to engage other resources. You don't have to go to seminary and you don't have to have access to every single commentary or Hebrew/Greek/Aramaic reference in order for the Bible's words to carry power. Sometimes, however, it's nice to pick up an extra book about the Bible that may give a little more insight into what you're reading. Trustworthy friends and pastors are usually really excited to offer up resources. As usual, we like the Bible Project. They give an animated video overview of every book of the Bible.
6. It's important to know that disagreement will happen. People have disagreed for centuries about verses, books, whole sections of the Bible and the theology that informs different readings of the Scriptures. Don't be surprised by this. Don't walk away from the conversation. Don't be afraid that it might challenge your understanding. Learn some key phrases like, "That's an interesting perspective," and, "Hmm, I've never thought of it that way before."
7. It's important to keep reading it. Don't give up when it gets hard. Don't give up when you change your opinion or understanding of a verse or whole sections of verses. Don't feel as though when a change occurs in your understanding that you have to rethink the whole sum of your faith and throw it out completely. This kind of transformation is important and healthy. Even Peter had to rethink his theology well after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Obviously, 7 tips is not going to be enough, but it's a good start. Happy reading!


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