Commentators and expositors are very useful, indeed, but the best expositor is always the author of a book, himself. If I had a book which I did not quite understand, it would be a very great convenience to me to live next door to the author, for then I could run in and ask him what he meant. - CS Lewis
For a very large part of my 76 years I was obsessed with the Bible. I read it through every year in a different translation. I studied it and tried to glean an understanding of what the passage meant for my life.
I called it The Word of God and considered it a sacred book.
Then my life and my faith entered a period of deconstruction. (read about it here). Over many years I not only changed my views about passages in the Bible but I began to change the way that I read it.
I began reading it more like a novel than a text book. More like a work of fiction than non-fiction. Not that I consider the Bible to be fictional. I just gave myself room to read it through different eyes.
I guess I began reading it with my heart instead of my head. I began to see more gray in the scriptures than black and white. Reading it like a novel allowed me to embrace love and grace as I read.
So when I came across hard and narrow passages (like in Leviticus), I allowed love to interpret verses that spoke of treating others in hateful ways - stoning people or killing enemies.
For me, this has greatly enhanced my faith. No longer seeing every scripture as authoritative gave me a new love for this book that I have treasured for so long. And it help reshape my image of God.
For years I have tried to read this beautiful book through the eyes of Jesus - through the eyes of love. Yet is was difficult because I read it like a text book or a history book.
I remember a few years ago, I was teaching a class where we read the entire bible in 90 day (I have done several of these) and one of the students (a HS physics teacher) told me that she was distressed by some of the stories recounting the Israeli conquest of Canaan. I reassured her that her feelings were merited.
In reality, there are passages in the bible that are troubling when you read them through the lens of authority. Thinking that God commanded the killing of infants really skews your divine image.
Yet when you read those same passages as a novel, you give yourself permission to see God and humanity in a different light. You understand that humans thinking God told them to do something is not the same as God actually instructing them to do it. In this we allow ourselves to see God as a loving Father.
Yet when you read those same passages as a novel, you give yourself permission to see God and humanity in a different light. You understand that humans thinking God told them to do something is not the same as God actually instructing them to do it. In this we allow ourselves to see God as a loving Father.
I imagine someone might ask, how do you know what things are fictional and what is not. That is a good and fair question. For me, I let love and the Holy Spirit lead me. Sometimes it is easier. Other times it is more difficult. Mostly, I tend to err on the side of love.
Another benefit of reading the bible as a novel is the way that it forces you to jettison old ideas about the bible. In my youth I would often read looking for ways to validate my theology. In doing this we really miss the sweeping saga that is the bible. And I think that we lose the beauty of the book when we do.
The bible is an amazing collection of books with many authors and different points of view. In it we read a bit of history, some prophecy, thought provoking poetry and much ancient wisdom.
It reminds me that every verse does not have to be factual for the Bible to be spectacular. Where else can we read the journeys of many peoples, tribes and nations. In it we read of how the tribes of Israel were delivered from bondage and only to go to war with nations because they believed God gave them real estate.
It reminds me that the ends rarely justify the means. If one thinks that God wants them to ruthlessly take something by force, they may want to reexamine their motivation. Perhaps there is a peaceful way to follow God? Maybe He would prefer cooperation instead of dominance?
A theme throughout the Bible is the ancient image of the Warrior God. I suspect that it originated with a man - men like warriors. Perhaps an ancient woman would have envisioned God differently? Maybe the God who, in the New Testament, is later described as love would have surfaced earlier in time. Hard to say as many ancient peoples embraced the idea of a Divine Warrior? Just looks at the gods of the Greeks.
Another benefit of reading the bible as a novel is the way that it forces you to jettison old ideas about the bible. In my youth I would often read looking for ways to validate my theology. In doing this we really miss the sweeping saga that is the bible. And I think that we lose the beauty of the book when we do.
The bible is an amazing collection of books with many authors and different points of view. In it we read a bit of history, some prophecy, thought provoking poetry and much ancient wisdom.
It reminds me that every verse does not have to be factual for the Bible to be spectacular. Where else can we read the journeys of many peoples, tribes and nations. In it we read of how the tribes of Israel were delivered from bondage and only to go to war with nations because they believed God gave them real estate.
It reminds me that the ends rarely justify the means. If one thinks that God wants them to ruthlessly take something by force, they may want to reexamine their motivation. Perhaps there is a peaceful way to follow God? Maybe He would prefer cooperation instead of dominance?
A theme throughout the Bible is the ancient image of the Warrior God. I suspect that it originated with a man - men like warriors. Perhaps an ancient woman would have envisioned God differently? Maybe the God who, in the New Testament, is later described as love would have surfaced earlier in time. Hard to say as many ancient peoples embraced the idea of a Divine Warrior? Just looks at the gods of the Greeks.
Not sure that I have much more to say about this novel idea except to encourage you to allow yourself to read the Bible differently than you have. Find a way that works for you. Get comfortable with thinking outside the box. It is working for me and I hope it will for you too.
... this devotion is part of a series on my spiritual deconstruction. Click here to read more.
