A confession and a question…
I am going to be really honest here.
I am “supposed” to start diving into the Biblical narrative today…and I am just not feeling it. I have read the first chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I keep having these thoughts about different aspects of the story, but that’s all they are – thoughts.
At one point in time I felt like I had so much knowledge and authority in the way I read and interpreted scripture…but not so much anymore. I almost feel like I need to be a full time scholar to be able to understand the cultural context in which the stories took place as well as the ways they have been read and understood over the years. There is just too much. Sure, you could get a study Bible or a companion book – but those are written from specific perspectives, which means you would have to read multiple different sources to try to piece together some sort of coherent version of the history.
I almost have a visceral response when I sit down and attempt to read it…I am not sure if this is due to the deconstruction or other emotional struggles I am still working through…but I never expected my faith and hope and joy to bounce back before my ability to read scripture…but alas…here we are.
Here is the one question I do find myself able to ask and ponder, and it is helping me to stay engaged, at least in some small way, with the text.
“Why did the author feel that it was important to include this detail in the story?”
For example, here are the first few verses of Luke 1 (NRSV):
“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.”
Here is what I would zero in on (today) by asking this question…The author here is exposing intent. The author is “choosing” to add his/her voice to what seems to be numerous others who have recorded the stories of Jesus. Also, he/she mentions that they have been “handed down” – meaning – the author was not the “eye-witness” but rather on down the line. He/she acknowledges the amount of research and work put into the writing for the benefit of a specific audience – Theophilus.
I think it is really helpful to think of the Bible as a collection of writings – rather than one cohesive work. Each book was written by an author with a specific audience in mind (regardless of if you believe those things were written to “apply” more broadly, they were originally written “specifically”).
So, here is my confession for you. I am still really struggling to be in the text. I struggle with the “why” and the “how” of reading and studying. If you are struggling with the text right now – for any reason – you are not alone, friend.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
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