Romans 15v13 - A prayer for you. May the wonder of the Bible come alive in your life.

This morning my new friend Nour shared a verse from Paul's letter to the Romans with me.

I am a scholar of the Bible. It is part of my job to understand the composition of the text, its grammatical structure, the meanings of the original Greek words that were used by the original author or authors, the socio-cultural and historical issues that were being addressed, and of course to relate verses or sections of a book to the broader theological themes of that genre of texts, or that author's other writings...

Sometimes this rigor can be so distracting that one forgets to listen... Sure, there are many times where I approach Scripture just to 'hear'. For example, when I am preparing a sermon, or seeking guidance and encouragement for my own life or someone else's. But, even then, I tend to weigh up what I read against all of these 'exegetical' principles.

Every now and then I need reminding of a few points:

• God's revelatory power does not require scholarship! Sure, the person who is called to preach or direct the lives of others using scripture has a responsibility to approach the text with meticulous care - but, for most people allow the text to 'read them' is enough. By that I mean, when I hear someone 'giving a verse' that has touched them, it is quite often an indication of what is going on inside of their heart and mind. It is almost as if the text has come alive for them because of who they are and what they are facing.
• The Bible is a powerful instrument for spiritual guidance, direction, and formation. All of the literary typing, syntactical-grammatical intricacy, and source language translation cannot compensate for the reality that the 'sacred text' carries a great deal of 'sacred weight' because it is infused with centuries of spiritual tradition, countless instances of grace, and numerous testimonies of power and transformation. I know that some theologians (like Milbank and company) find the 'sociological' constructs of theology problematic. I do too. However, there is no doubt that those constructs shape meaning, and so give great power to the text! For example during South Africa's apartheid past the texts I heard preached more than any other in our black congregations were the stories of the Exodus from Egypt into the promised land - the text itself had developed a parallel story in the lives of its preachers and hearers. The Exodus narrative was often overshadowed by the community narrative of the need for liberation and hope. So, the Bible is immeasurable powerful, not only because of what it is, but because of what it has become for us.
• Receiving guidance, inspiration, comfort, and counsel, from scripture requires a measure of naivety. There is a great danger to thinking that you have all of the angles worked out! I have probably read the Bible from cover to cover 4 times (maybe a bit more in some sections and less in others). I have worked very closely with certain genre's (particularly as I have taught New Testament. For example this year I taught Pauline theology, Luke / Acts, and the Catholic (often called the 'general Epistles') for the 5th year. I translated a book from Afrikaans to English that discusses the a thematic thread that runs throughout the whole of the Bible. It is masterfully written by Professor Jan van der Watt and is called 40 days through the Bible. I have edited a number of books and articles for the same scholar and for Professor A B du Toit... etc., etc., (you get the picture!) So, I have come to understand the complexity and intricacy of many of these texts. The danger is that one thinks you have it all buttoned up - you've understood the plot lines, or the issues being addressed in a narrative, you can tell which redactor added which parts, you can do a grammatical or linguistic typing, you have a fair insight into the context and meaning of words in the life of the original author and hearer, and so you stop listening! That is very dangerous! It is almost like being married for a long time and thinking that you completely understand your partner! The expectation of 'surprise' and 'novelty' should always accompany a reading of the sacred text. One should never open one's Bible without saying "God can, and will, encounter me in new and creative ways!"
• Be willing to approach the text creatively! A final element that I have rediscovered in recent years is the necessity for creativity in reading the text. Just like a romantic relationship requires novelty and creativity, so our approach to the Bible needs a bit of difference and 'spice' from time to time. What do I mean by this? Well, here are a few things that I have found helpful, as a Christian who desires to hear God's voice and my community's message through scripture.
  

1. First, be prepared to 'hear' the text in new and unconventional 'voices'. What do I mean? Well, why not get yourself a different version of the Bible. If your own Bible is an NRSV, (which is a 'word accurate' translation - i.e., the translators took a lot of time to accurately translate the individual Greek and Hebrew words), then why not take a few days to read the New Living Translation (which is a 'sentence' or 'concept' accurate translation - i.e., the translators first sought to translate the whole sentence, concept or message of a paragraph and then went back to make sure that it is in keeping with the intention of the original text). This simple step could allow you to hear the message of scripture in an entirely new voice.
2. When you read the text approach it from a different contextual vantage point. How do you do this? Well, if you are male, why not read the text from a female perspective (i.e., as you read ask yourself a few questions, "how would this passage sound different to a woman?", "what elements may be more significant to a young woman? Would an old woman hear different things?") In particular this technique has been very helpful as I have tried to understand what God is saying to different people and groups (e.g., poorer persons, people who are outside of the Church, people who are younger, people older, gay persons, educated persons, uneducated persons). I'm sure you get the idea.
3. Read the text in different places and at different times. Whilst I do encourage persons to form good patterns and habits for reading the scripture. It is good to have a daily time and place in which you read the text. But, reading the Bible in different places and at different times can add a whole new perspective. I have found wonderful new insights through reading scripture on a day walk in nature, or in the center or a busy city, on a train, in a hospital, among refugees, in an office building etc. You seen context adds to our understanding of the text. The human brain is a very complex 'meaning creating' organism. When one reads the text you are not only taking in the words that are on the page, you are also taking in many other stimuli from your surroundings. So, this can add new value and meaning.
4. Find out how other Christians have interpreted and read the same text. If you are a protestant, then find some Catholic, or Pentecostal, commentary on the same text. There is nothing quite as sad as thinking your tradition is the only correct one!

So, these are a few tips on allowing scripture to come alive. My friend Nour, (the serving Egyptian) shared a text with me this morning. It means a great deal to him, and so it means a great deal to me because I am with him. He read the text to me in Arabic, from his Egyptian perspective... It was new and fresh! This is what he shared.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. [Romans 15v13]

So, may you find new hope and joy and peace in believing that God, through the Holy Spirit, can speak to you anew this year.

[PS. the picture above was taken at sunset a few days ago. It was taken from the Knysna lagoon on my Canon camera. I thought it was quite nice!]