Slideshow image

“Haven’t you read . . . ?” Various gospels record that Jesus asks this question (or some variant) repeatedly as a challenge to his critics. Matt. 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:31; see also Matt. 24:15. Usually they have not grasped what God intended. But a lawyer offers an interpretation that Jesus endorses with a similar probing question: “‘What is written in the Law?’ [Jesus] replied. ‘How do you read it?’” Lu. 10:25-27. And questions about reading and interpretation continue, including with this question and answer between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip: “Do you understand what you are reading?” Ethiopian: “How can I, unless someone guides me?” Acts 8:30–31. From these and other scriptures, we should recognize that Bible reading is important and its interpretation is sometimes difficult and controversial.

A recent book addressing these issues is Reading for the Love of God (2023) by Jessica Hooten Wilson. Below is my very short summary.

The New Testament assumes that reading Scripture is essential, but it also insists that understanding requires guidance, discernment, and openness to the Spirit. Reading is never just about information - it’s about transformation. Put simply, reading is a spiritual discipline that forms virtue, imagination, and love of God.

Hooten draws on reading practices by scholars and spiritual leaders from many prior centuries to distill these key ideas:

  • Saturate one’s life with God’s words until they are written on the reader’s heart.
  • Analyze scripture’s text by silent, patient reading and then embody it in personal behavior, following this pattern: read → meditate → memorize → interpret → live.
  • Interpret by integrating the roles of author, reader and text (ART), recognizing that God’s intended meaning may surpass human intent.
  • Use clear passages to illuminate obscure ones; when literal interpretation fails, grasp a passage’s spiritual sense.
  • Rely on scripture to frame all reading - including of fiction and history, as these can help to train our discernment of good and evil and to redirect us to delight in God.
  • Annotate, integrate, and recognize books’ cultural echoes.
  • Read to obtain freedom to think, speak, and resist oppression.
  • Because reading in community builds important bonds, Christians should read and discuss scripture and other books together.

On November 11, starting at 7 pm Eastern time, the Reading Circle (RC) will discuss Reading for the Love of God via Zoom at this link. Information about this small group and others in our congregation is at Small Groups | Arlington Church of Christ. I encourage your participation, including in RC even if you have not read the book.

Elders' Communication
Shepherd's Crook