Day 11: Reading Guidlines

John 1

It was my Old Testament Professor, Roy Heller, who helped me realize that I wasn't actually reading scripture but rather reading commentaries about scripture, with just a sprinkle of scripture itself. He was firmly against relying too heavily on commentaries, not because they lack value, but because he believed there was no better way to exclude the Holy Spirit from the process than by seeking someone else's interpretation instead of directly engaging with the text.

I have already introduced you to one lens for reading scripture, with questions centered on our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Over the next 20 days, I want to introduce you to a few others, starting with the approach from Dr. Heller.

Heller's guidelines for reading scripture are:

Observe what seems absolutely unimportant in the passage (What can be removed while still maintaining the passage's integrity?). Surprisingly, that's often the most important part of the passage.

Whenever you read, always consider the big three:

1. What does this passage tell me about God? Understanding the nature and character of God is crucial in interpreting Scripture.

2. What does this passage tell me about myself and what it means to be human? Reflect on the human condition and personal identity in relation to the divine.

3. What does this passage tell me about my responsibility toward other people and toward the created order? Consider how the text informs your duties and relationships within your community and the environment.

As we turn to the text I want to again invite you to slow down and read:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴ in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹ The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. ¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) ¹⁶ From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.^{[e] 17} The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Here are the guidelines again!

Observe what seems absolutely unimportant in the passage (What can be removed while still maintaining the passage's integrity?). Surprisingly, that's often the most important part of the passage.

Whenever you read, always consider the big three:

1. What does this passage tell me about God? Understanding the nature and character of God is crucial in interpreting Scripture.

2. What does this passage tell me about myself and what it means to be human? Reflect on the human condition and personal identity in relation to the divine.

3. What does this passage tell me about my responsibility toward other people and toward the created order? Consider how the text informs your duties and relationships within your community and the environment.

What thoughts do you have?

One of my other pastoral mentors always encouraged us to read the Gospels so we could get to know Christ. Over the next four days, Christ will continue to be our focus. I want you to get to know Him better and in that regard, I don't want to clutter up this space with my thoughts. Take time to read the text, pay attention to what seems unimportant, and reflect on these "big three." I'll be more active in the comments over the next few days, as I have to get all my words in somewhere, so please share what God is stirring up inside of you!