Think about a relationship with someone you know very well. Now, think about one of times when there was a colossal failure of communication. The other party said something to you and in the saying of it they had a certain intention. But because of your low blood sugar level, work frustrations, relational stresses, and host of other factors, their words and body language were received by you as meaning something entirely different than what was intended. They were offering encouragement and you received it as condemnation. They had a question and you received it as an accusation. Has this happened to you?
Sure it has. It happens to everyone. The good news is that with a little deconstructing, clarifying, and rearticulating, the two of you can come closer to understanding the original intent. It takes a little work, but it is possible to understand. What’s far more difficult is finding clarity of what an author was trying to say when you’re reading a book! Lets take the Bible for example. You’re trying to understand what it all means and you run into all those slaughters in the Old Testament. Does it mean God’s OK with war, or do the teachings of Jesus about turning the other cheek mean that war is simply not an option for a person of faith? Maybe you want to know what God thinks about homosexuality, or divorce, or capitalism (of the three, God seems least ambiguous about divorce). So you read, but the feedback loop seems closed. How do we come up with a sense of what God is saying? I’d suggest that, in addition to utilizing some of the resources below for reading your bible, the following communication tools will be helpful:
1. Humility: I need to come to grips with the reality that I don’t always know what my wife is saying clearly and I’ve lived with her for 28 years! I bring my own script to the table and so I sometimes miss her point entirely. Only later, after clarifying comments, do I begin to understand. The same thing is true with the Bible. I need to live with the convictions that I have UNTIL I’m persuaded that I’ve missed something and that God was trying to tell me something other than I thought. This shifting has happened to me before. Sometimes it’s gotten me into trouble with people who’ve been threatened by a theology that evolves. But I’m convinced that if the heart is looking for truth, our theology WILL evolve.
2. Clarifying Voices: When I misunderstand someone and they know I’ve missed the point, they might look at me, cock their head say, “You just don’t get it do you!” Then they’ll say it again, “What I meant was…” and their clarifying statements will have provided the needed light. When we read the Bible, the clarifying voices are there too – you just need to look a little more closely to find them. The clarifying voices that I find most helpful are: a) Other scripture passages, b) the cultural context of a passage, and c) Church history. None of these are ‘trump cards’ that alone bring a definitive clarifying interpretation. But all are important. Without them, singular passages from the Bible can be used in incredibly destructive ways.
3. The Holy Spirit. This seems to be the most vital source of correction and clarification. If we read the Bible prayerfully, asking the Holy Spirit to show us what God is saying, I believe that prayer will be answered. Of course, two people pray such a prayer and still come to diametrically opposite conclusions in many, many areas. That’s why we need humility – but humility doesn’t mean that we stop living until we get it all figured out. It simply means we understand that until we see Christ face to face, we’re on a journey. So let’s give each other the grace to remain in fellowship and dialogue, because the voice of the other will help me see with greater clarity if I approach it with prayer, humility, and a commitment to truth.
Digital Scripture Resources
Daily Devotional
Henri Nouwen
Scripture
Verse of the Day
Daily Manna
Bible Reading Plans
Comprehensive Bible Reading Plan (365 Days)
Ready for the incredible privilege and adventure of reading the Bible through cover to cover? We hope so! It takes only about fifteen minutes a day. Enjoy! As you read, ask the Lord to help you see the redemptive story of the Bible. It’s the heartbeat of every book from Genesis to Revelation.
Biographical Bible Reading Plan (121 Days)
Want to read Bible highlights from Adam to Zechariah? It’s easy! The advantages of this approach include ease in seeing the story of the Bible and becoming acquainted with the entire Who’s Who of the Bible. As you read, be sure to thank God for what he’s going to do in and through you during the months ahead!
Survey Bible Reading Plan (61 Days)
Want to read highlights from every book of the Bible? This reading plan walks you through key passages from every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, in just 61 days. You’ll be able to trace God’s plan of salvation from start to finish in short, readable selections over the course of three months.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan (61 Days)
Would you like to read through the key stories of the Bible in chronological order, tracing the development of God’s plan from Adam and Eve to the church of the New Testament? This reading plan introduces you to the major people and events of the Bible in chronological order, beginning with Creation, moving through the birth and history of the Israel nation, and ending with Revelation’s prophetic words. It’s all broken down into 61 easily-readable segments.
The above bible reading plans may also be found in the book, How to Read Your Bible by David and Renée Sanford (W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright (C) 2005 Sanford Communications, Inc. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.
