My earliest memories about the Bible are that it is a religious book, which sits on a shelf, in every household, that no one reads. I am thankful for not having learned anything about the Bible growing up. I started reading it with very little information about what it was or what it meant. I feel I don’t have to struggle as much with overcoming preexisting beliefs or teachings as many do. This lack of history shapes my approach.

The Bible isn’t like other books. It is not designed to be read from beginning to end but also needs to be sometimes to understand how the story progresses. It is full of inconsistencies, contradictions and illogical events. One of the first questions I had after reaching the second chapter of Genesis was “why would God create everything else in pairs then only create a male of one species?”

I cannot remember the last time I read the Bible just to read and not to study or write. I read the Bible seeking a message. When I read lectionary passages preparing for sermons, I first read the passage as if it is just a story. I am looking for what stands out to me. Then, I read the passage again and see what stands out to me a second time. After collecting a couple of themes, I start asking questions.

Questions vary. Have I read or heard this piece before? Where? When? Why? How did they interpret it? Do I feel the same way? Why or why not? What doesn’t make sense? I consult various commentaries depending on the type of question I am asking whether I am seeking others interpretations, history on the author, audience, original intent of the message, interpretation, etc. What feels like its missing?

I have taken both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament courses at MTSO, as a result, I often consult multiple translations, a linear Bible, or seek other texts knowing that the translation I am reading might not be making sense to me because of translational anomalies. I have a strong desire to want to read the original texts in their original languages to see what other information lies in different documents that were compiled into making the one. I read wanting to know not just the text but the story behind the text.

Every time I read the Bible; I notice something still hasn’t changed: I want to read it as a book. I read or skim passages before and after to see where things are taking place and if they are part of a larger story. I look to see which direction things are headed in. The Bible is not just about the main character. It is also about the author, who the story is being told to, the location, and the supporting cast. The Bible is art, found in nearly every home, tucked away on a shelf, that hardly anyone reads.