follow your curiosity

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Follow Your Curiosity

At a recent conversation at Theology on Tap, we were considering the best way to read the Bible. One participant brought the question and everyone quickly jumped in; the consensus was an ambivalent, and hearty “It doesn’t matter, just start reading.” I have been reading a (Non-Biblical) book called Steal Like an Artist. The author suggests that in learning about art of any form, pick someone you really like, and find out as much as possible about that artist and her work. Then find three of her influences, and do the same thing with those. Stick with one interest until you’ve exhausted your curiosity, then dig deeper. That became part of our conversation about how to read the Bible. The Gospels are a good starting point for this practice, because Jesus and the Gospel writers are constantly weaving Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) into the stories either in quotes or in actions. If you’re curious about Jesus’ forty days in the desert, go back and read about the Hebrew’s forty years out there! Jesus quotes Psalm 22 from the cross when he says, “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me.” Read the whole Psalm to get the whole message. And those are just two examples off the top of my head.

One of our modern challenges of reading Scripture (again or for the first time) is that we have generally been trained to read in order to collect bits of information. So, when we read the Bible we may be tempted to approach it as if we are going to take an exam at the end of the week. But the test happens when curiosity creeps up in your soul and then you decide to pick up and read. Then you’ve made an A+! Approach the Bible with curiosity and even, dare I say, playfulness! Open up and read and see what the Holy Spirit may speak to you. If you want, start with short book (just check the Table of Contents.) The collection of stories in the Bible are a gifts handed down from generation to generation. They are stories of people seeking to be connected with God and with one another. They struggle just like we do. They are heroes with shadows just like us, and they discovered that God was with them through the difficult and the good times.

Link to Steal Like an Artist

Originally published in the South Jetty 

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