Nothing frustrates me more than reading something in the Bible and then walking away scratching my head wondering, “what does that even mean.” Early in my walk with Jesus this happened almost consistently. After seminary and PhD program I realized that one of the big issues is that I kept trying to read the Bible on my own terms. I wanted phrases, words, and stories to make sense in my own 21st century understanding.
You may be shocked to read this, but the Bible didn’t really come alive to me until I realized that there was more benefit in reading the Bible like Homer’s the Odyssey or the Iliad or even Marvel comics! Now, don’t unsubscribe (not yet at least). Let me explain, when we read Homer we don’t expect Homer to write his literature based on our modern context. And when we enjoy Marvel comics and movies we do so because we are fully aware the supernatural cosmology of the that world.
Guess what, we need to apply those same principles to reading the Bible.
The Bible is true. It …
