Reading the Bible the right way
Welcome back, my faithful Cronies!
In my previous article, I illuminated one of Jesus’ common attitudes: looking up to God in prayer. In this article, I want to highlight one of Christendom’s most essential but often taken-for-granted activities: Reading the Bible the right way. The Bible is the word of God and contains God’s instructions, recommendations, and position on almost every facet of life. However, we can genuinely experience the transformative power of God’s word when we read and apply it as we should. Come with me on this adventure to explore this Kingdom mystery.
The Greatest Book ever written
The Bible is arguably the greatest and one of the oldest religious books ever written [1]. It is the authoritative and inherent word of God. “It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.” [2] Unlike other literary works, the Bible should not be read simply as a collection of chapters and verses. When reading any literature, the context of the sentence guides how to interpret it—whether it is a hyperbole, idiom, metaphor, or another literary device. For instance, hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally (e.g., I’m so hungry I could eat a horse). This claim does not suggest that the speaker could eat an entire horse. Other literary devices are metaphor, irony, paradox, personification, allegory, etc.
The Bible consist of Different Genres
The Bible is made up of different genres. A genre is a category or type of literature, art, or entertainment defined by style, form, or content. [2a] In literature, genres group together works that share common characteristics, allowing readers to have expectations about a text’s style, themes, or structure. The Bible contains a variety of literary genres, each serving different purposes in communicating religious, moral, and spiritual themes. The major genres found in the Bible are law, historical narrative, wisdom literature, poetry, prophetic literature, gospels, epistles (letters), apocalyptic literature, parables, genealogies, etc.
This implies that Psalms, Proverbs, and Epistles should not be read and interpreted in the same way. Each belongs to a distinct literary genre, with unique styles and purposes. Each genre must be approached with an understanding of its specific characteristics and the context in which it was written.
For instance, Psalms, as a collection of Hebrew poetry and hymns, are highly emotional, symbolic, and often use figurative language. They are expressions of worship, praise, lament, and prayer. When reading Psalms, the reader should focus on the poetic devices, metaphors, and symbolic language used to convey profound spiritual truths and human emotions. The Psalms invite meditation, reflection, and personal engagement with God through the language of the heart.
On the other hand, Proverbs fall within the category of Wisdom Literature and are meant to provide practical, down-to-earth guidance for everyday living. The sayings in Proverbs are short and concise and often offer general principles for wise living rather than absolute promises. When interpreting Proverbs, one must recognise that they communicate broad truths about life, behaviour, and the consequences of one’s actions, but they should not be treated as unconditional guarantees.
Allegory Vrs Parable
An allegory is a narrative in which characters, events, or settings symbolise abstract ideas or concepts to convey a message. [1a] Parables, like allegories, use simple, relatable stories to illustrate a more significant, often moral or spiritual, truth. For instance, in the Bible, Jesus uses parables to teach lessons, such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where the story reflects deeper themes of kindness and compassion. In Luke 15:11–32, Jesus used the parable of the Prodigal Son to illustrate the love of the Father. One of the most famous parables Jesus used, which has been misconstrued and misapplied to mean an actual story, was the parable about Lazarus and the rich man [4]. Instead, Jesus used this as a parable to illustrate the importance of compassion and charity and validate life after death.
NOTE: To keep this article brief, I will explore the methods for reading and interpreting each genre of the Bible in a separate article.
How to read the Bible
This space will not be enough to explore all the Bible’s hermeneutical dimensions; therefore, this is just an overview to help readers read and interpret the Bible appropriately. The following should serve as a guide in reading and interpreting the Bible.
No verse in the Bible should be used in isolation. It is a common mistake to lift certain verses out of their context and start working with them. Just as a single block does not make a complete building, a single verse does not convey the full message. Instead, the verses before and after should be considered equally. This cautionary note is essential for every reader of the Bible to keep in mind as they consider the pretext, the context, and the pro-text of the text.
Important Concepts Defined
- Text: The actual passages and verses of the Bible. For example, John 3:16 is a specific text within the New Testament. It is the direct content of the Bible that you read.
- Pre-text: The background material or textual influences that precede the specific Biblical text. This may include other Biblical texts or historical events. It is often imperative to read the verses before the verse you want to read to have a more solid understanding and grasp of the whole picture.
- Pro-text: Subsequent interpretations, commentaries, or theological writings build on or reflect upon the Biblical text. This is essentially all the verses after the verse you want to read. This, more often than never, helps give you a clearer understanding of the text you read.
- Context: The broader setting in which a Biblical text appears. This may include historical context, literary context, and theological context. Understanding these broader contexts is crucial for a comprehensive interpretation of the Bible. It equips the reader with the necessary tools to delve deeper into the text and gain a richer understanding. Taking a biblical text “out of context” means interpreting or applying a passage in a way that disregards its original meaning, intent, or surrounding verses. This often involves isolating a verse or phrase from its broader literary, historical, or cultural setting, leading to a misrepresentation of its true meaning. Such misinterpretation can distort the intended message, leading to conclusions or teachings that conflict with the text’s original context.
Consider a much wider scope
To better understand a text, you can start by reading the immediate passage and the surrounding text, including the pretext and context. If this still leaves uncertainties, expand your focus to the entire chapter. If questions persist after reading the chapter, look to the broader context of the book and see how the topic is addressed throughout. Should the meaning remain unclear even after considering the entire book, examine how the Bible approaches the subject, allowing its overarching themes and teachings to provide insight.
Exegesis is the critical interpretation and explanation of a text. It involves analysing the text’s original meaning by considering factors such as historical context, grammar, syntax, and the author’s intent. Exegesis aims to uncover the text’s intended meaning as it was initially written, helping readers understand its message accurately and apply it appropriately.
Eisegesis refers to interpreting a text by reading one’s ideas, biases, or preconceptions into it. It often means imposing an external meaning onto the text rather than drawing out its inherent meaning.
Conclusion
Reading the Bible the way we should is imperative to appreciate its power. The word of God is truth [5], but it will work for us only when we read and understand it the way God expects us to grasp it. In this article, I have shown you how you can read the Bible in its proper context, allowing the Bible to speak for itself rather than reading your meaning influenced by your cultural and social worldview.
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References
[1] McKenzie, Steven L., and M. Patrick Graham. The Hebrew Bible Today: An Introduction to Critical Issues. Westminster John Knox Press, 1998.
[1a] Merriam Webster, “allegory”, Accessed September 10, 2024. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allegory
[2 The Gideon International, “An Inspiring Introduction To The Holy Book”, link: http://blog.gideons.org/2010/12/the-bible-contains-the-mind-of-god]
[2a] Wikipedia, “Genre”. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genre.
[3] Cuddon, J. A., and Claire Preston. The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. 5th ed., Penguin Books, 2013.
[4] Luke 16:19-31
[5] John 17:17
Andrew Anane
So enlightening and such a great read .