Lecture Notes: Understanding Scripture

Introduction

• Purpose of Difficult Scripture: Suggests difficult parts of scripture may be there to lead us on unexpected journeys and make us wiser.
• Personal Journey: Discusses personal surprise at life path and involvement with the Bible Project.

The Bible Project

• Goal: To help people see the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus through explainer videos and podcasts.

Personal Testimony

• Background: Did not grow up reading the Bible. Parents wanted faith to be personally motivated.
• Youth Experience: Encountered faith through a skatepark ministry.
• Initial Bible Reading: Started reading the Bible from the beginning, felt confusion but also drawn to Jesus.

Educational Journey

• University and Beyond: Studied ancient Greek, Hebrew, and theology, pursuing a PhD motivated by a passion for scripture.

Encounter with Others' Experiences

• Diverse Reactions: Engaged with people who had both positive and crisis-inducing experiences with the Bible, like friend Matt.

Universal Relationship with the Bible

• Cultural Influence: No one approaches the Bible with a blank slate due to cultural and historical influences.
• Relationship Varieties: Ranges from admiration, suspicion, to confusion in how people engage with the Bible.

Understanding the Bible’s Origin and Purpose

• Historical Context: Scripture's central role in Christian communities dates back 2,000 years.
• Jesus' View: Jesus viewed scriptures as essential and central to understanding his role and mission.

The Story of the Bible

• Old Testament: Tells a story of the Israelites and their relationship with God.
• New Testament: Focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises, and the spread of his teachings through apostles.

Complicated Relationship with the Bible

• Cultural and Language Gaps: Communication across cultures and times adds complexity.
• Misunderstandings: The "hammer problem" where good intuitions about the Bible lead to less helpful methods of engagement.

Key Intuitions and Mismethods

1. Truth: Scripture is seen as teaching truth, but often misused as a reference book.
2. Wisdom: Scripture offers wisdom but is often misapplied as a rule book.
3. Encounter: Scripture is a place to meet God, but can be reduced to feel-good passages.

Conclusion

• Invitation to Growth: Encourages reflection on personal relationship with scripture and potential for growth.
• Role of the Spirit: Emphasis on the Spirit of God guiding individual journeys with scripture.