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Repetition and familiarity

I think one of the ways the Bible has taught me is through repetition of ideas that start to percolate in the back of my thoughts. As I encounter these ideas again in new parts of scripture they take on a deeper meaning, affecting my life and relationship with God.

Inspiring examples

The Bible contains a lot of examples of prayer, worship, songs, and behaviors. Often these become examples that I want to emulate, or think and pray about more deeply.

Challenging me

I find a lot of scripture extremely challenging. There are some truly horrendous examples of the worst traits of humanity - often from the Biblical figures we learn to love as children! Jesus shares parables that don't always sit comfortably, and make me question deeply held ideas. These varied and challenging aspects though force me to reflect, discuss with others, and make sense of what they mean. In turn this changes the way I view and approach the world and the people in it, and ultimately my relationship with God.

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Why is the world behind the text important for our reading the Bible? In what way does understanding of that world help to provide guidelines for how we might interpret the message of Scripture?

The world in Biblical times was significantly different to our current world. For example, instead of being familiar with the symbolism of reaping, threshing, and winnowing, we have combine harvesters. Understanding these concepts helps us better interpret stories like Ruth.

Perhaps more importantly though is understanding the parts of that world that make us feel most uncomfortable. For example, when Paul writes to the church in Corinth about appropriate head coverings and hair. We need to understand a Greek society under Roman rule with very different view on class, gender, and sexual norms to our current society. This understanding helps place guidelines on how we form analogy, which in this case perhaps guides us towards seeing Paul's message about creating an inclusive church, not as ammunition to cause divisions.

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I've not been able to download the chapter. Could someone post a PDF of it on this Padlet please?

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Question from Yong": 4. Can you summarize what the Bible teaches with regard to the role of the Holy Spirit before, within, and in front of the Scriptures?

Before the text, the holy spirit sets up the context- I understand this to be in terms of arranging key players in the right place at the right time. Within the text, the holy spirit helps the writers of the bible to formulate the words of the scripture - Paul says that ‘all scripture is god-breathed’.

After the text, the holy spirit is guiding Christians and readers - this may be in terms of selecting the best text to read in a particular context, or helping readers to understand what is written in scripture, and helping readers to understand the implications of this for their own lives and actions. In doing all of this, the holy spirit supports order out of chaos.

How, if at all, is the Holy Spirit present in your own interaction with the Bible?

I think I am still learning to hear / recognise / understand the Holy Spirit in my life (including in my bible reading!).

How have influential bible passages in your Christian journey taught you?

* Reading and rereading familiar passages has given me familiar words that serve as daily reminders to be the person and Christian I want to be. Sometimes hymns and worship songs which draw on scripture really help me with this for the same reason. Bible passages have, for example, provided me with strength, or helped me calm my anxiety in particular situations.

* Identifying with particular characters - either in terms of particular characters, or situations, or personality traits. Sometimes it feels like stories about family members who have done something before, so you can take their story and use their learning as your own. This has, for example, helped me choose the ‘right’ path when decision-making has felt tricky.

* Distilling my own interpretation and beliefs by retelling and sharing the story. Reading bible stories with my children has helped me focus on the core messages and the ‘so what?’ message of some stories. This has, in turn, helped me to distil some of my own thoughts and interpretations of certain passages, and strengthened what I understood or thought. This has made it easier for me to weave the story or learning from it through my life.

* Discussion of readings in church or discussiion groups. Sharing bible passages at church and discussing them with other members of our congregation or clergy has led me to a different or better interpretation of the text itself. This has

helped me to understand other people and their situations bettter - it has provided a shared resource outside of the two people discussing it, that we can use as a common reference point when discussing our own lives, situations, or interpretations. This has also helped me to understand people or their situations better, and in turn be kinder or more empathetic.

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