The People who Read the Bible

Have you ever wondered why two people reading or studying the Bible can come up with such different conclusions about the meaning, impact, implications, or application of the same text of scripture?  It happens all the time and in almost every discussion about the Bible.

 

One of the biggest reasons for this is related to how different people approach and read a text of scripture. We might call these approaches “lenses” through which each person reads the text. Whether you know it or not, you have lenses and so do I. The important thing is to identify the lenses you’re using and understand the lenses that the person you’re talking to is using. Once you get that down, you’ll likely find it easier to engage and understand the perspective of the other person.

In the world of biblical studies there is a huge “cast of characters,” each of whom has a passionate interest in approaching the text of scripture, but who may also bring a different set of priorities, objectives, lenses and tools with them with which they do their interpretive work. I’m providing this short list (you can add to it in the comments, or tweak mine if you want) so that when you’re in dialogue with someone who is looking at a text differently you can discern how they are coming to the text.   Continue at Ken Burchard