On Reading Scripture

Many of us have inherited a method of studying Scripture, whether taught at seminary or from other teachers, which approaches the study of the Bible scientifically and historically. As moderns steeped in the scientific method of deduction, we often come to the text as scientists, dissecting and separating the parts from the whole, analyzing Divine revelation word by word and line by line. We want to understand the Word of God in the way we want to understand the pieces and parts of an atom or to determine what makes a clock ‘tick’ moving from the particular to the general, hoping to arrive at some grand theory or meaning of a thing. Such a method brings out the historian within. We want to determine the exact date of when a particular book of the Bible was written and precisely who the author is, painstakingly researching the specific historical context in which it was written, and so on. Such a method, though not necessarily problematic, does produce certain results.

We’re Not Scientists

First, a scientific approach can easily remove or disengage us from the humanity of Scripture. The Bible is a book about the human experience, about being. It is the record of how humanity, from Adam and Eve, lives before the face of the Almighty God. It speaks to reality, of the Divine Reality, and how people have flourished and fallen within it. Holy Scripture is a means of discourse between the Creator and his creation; it is personal and relational. Surely we find this human-divine interaction of living this life with all its joys and struggles articulated in the Psalms. But science, by its nature, removes one from its object of study, placing a distance between them to ensure we are ‘neutral’ and impartial observers. In short, we remove ourselves from the humanity of the Holy Text.

Second, in dissecting the parts, we easily lose the knowledge of the whole, like a table full of jigsaw pieces without any idea of what the finished picture looks like. In this atomized age, the tendency to atomize everything comes naturally. We abstract a verse from the chapter, a chapter from the book, and finally, a book from the grand arch of redemption, which moves from garden to garden (from Genesis to Revelation). We lose continuity when a text or whole book is removed from the bigger story told in both the Old and New Testaments. This is partly why so many Christians avoid the Old Testament, either to a perceived lack of understanding or from thinking it has nothing to do with this present Christian life. But the entirety of the scriptures reveals God acting throughout all of human history from the dawn of creation to the present and even into the future when heaven and earth and all of creation are unified in the marriage supper of the Lamb, the final and permanent union of God and man forever wedded to the Lamb when the new Jerusalem descends to earth, and saints of every tongue, tribe, and nation worship the True Temple, the Lord Jesus Christ, who lights up the world for all of eternity (Rev 21).

We’re Not Only Historians Either

A historical approach to the Bible is not misguided in and of itself; a purely Historical reading (pura natura) is necessary for understanding and can be helpful. But history often produces approximations and limited facts. It also tends to entrap us in the world of men and material phenomena: who did what, why, and when. In this secular age, we’re already conditioned to comprehend the world and its dealings to be devoid of the transcendent, the spiritual, the mysterious, and the unseen. And because we are atomists, we separate human history from Divine agency: God is not in the here and now, if he even exists at all! Our focus can easily remain in the ‘flatlands.’ 

Pure history so very often morphs into life lessons, morality tales, and self-help coaching to attain the best possible life... ON EARTH. In other words, pure history loses any sense of the Christian telos, the “where we are going” aspect of history towards eternal heaven or hell. Morality or how to be ‘good people and ‘polite members of society’ eclipses the Biblical demand for holiness and virtue to obtain the great reward of the Christian life: eternal union with the Lord Jesus Christ, that future day when we will see Him as he is and we will be fully seen. Theologians throughout the ages refer to this end as the ‘beatific vision.’ The beholding of God in Christ made one with him, perfected as he is Perfect, unimpeded relationship with Him who is the object and desire of our faith.

Christ is the Pursuit of Biblical Inquiry

Science and history mustn’t distract from the aim of studying the Bible, which is to gain a deeper knowledge and intimacy with Christ, to be subsumed into the Divine life. In finding Christ, we find ourselves. We gain more insight into whom and what we are as we enter more fully into the Divine life of God. In knowing Him, we learn to koi love not only our God but our neighbor as well. We see in the direct actions of God and in the holy examples of the saints the fulfillment of the Law, how to Love God and love others. Perfect love casts out fear! And, in learning to love, we move ever closer to that perfect union for which we wait and hope.

In summary...

• First and foremost, the Bible reveals the Trinitarian God;

• Scripture speaks to the human experience. It reveals much about our relationship to God and to others. It is intended to provide insight into faith, love, devotion, and the worship of God;

• Historical data pertaining to a particular book of the Bible places its historical events within the greater arch of redemptive history;

• It also helps to understand figures of speech, customs, and certain phenomena related to geography and world affairs;

• Historical books of the Bible take place in human history and mustn’t preclude Divine Providence, agency, and presence. God is active in history, in the affairs of men, and within the order of the cosmos.

Beyond a plain and historical reading of the Scripture...

• We must read Christologically in search of Christ;

• Augustine wrote: “The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed;

• “Emmaus Road” (Luke 24:13): Christ is the treasure in the field, the pearl of great prize to be found in the Old Testament;

• We must read the Old Testament spiritually to unearth the deeper meanings of the text;

• We must read devotionally to be conformed to the image and likeness of Christ.