The Importance of Reading the Bible Well

Learning to read the Bible well, and helping others within our circles, are two of the most important tasks that we as Christians are called to do. Listen, I firmly acknowledge that when it comes to Biblical interpretation-people who are not open to the latest scholarship and to alternative views will not necessarily have their minds changed. No matter how much evidence you present them.

However,  in the US, the Bible is a text that has been wielded as a weapon to justify horrific legislation. And while arguing with individuals may not change their minds, I firmly believe that as Progressive Christians we have a responsibility to 1) ensure that we are always open to new information that can cause us to re-evaluate our beliefs and interpretation of the Biblical text and 2) that we share what we have learned with those who are interested and empower them to read the Bible in ways that are intellectually honest and advocate for the marginalized.  

Fundamentalist Christians have many problematic beliefs, but the one I want to focus on is the idea that reading the Bible through a literalist lens is the only correct way to read the Biblical text. Ironically, Fundamentalist Christians are not the only ones who believe this: some atheists and former Christians also reinforce the idea that this reading is the only correct way. Of course, they tend to argue, “This is why the Bible is a horrible book to read and follow, let alone base our legal and political system on.” And while I disagree with the idea that a literalist, inerrant reading of the Bible is the only correct way to read Scripture, I absolutely agree that the Bible should, not in any way be the basis for our political and legal system.

With that being said, affirming a literalist reading of the Bible, even if one is trying to use that to argue why the Bible should not be the basis of national and political life, does bolster Fundamentalist arrogance in saying that they are, “correct.” It only reinforces the idea that they are the one “true” Christians. And again, many who are hardcore Fundamentalists are not necessarily open to any evidence that push back against their ideology.  

However, leaving Biblical interpretation to the Biblical literalists and repeating the lie that, theirs is the only “right” way to interpret the Bible contributes to the advancement of theology that kills. Additionally, the reality is that many of us who have left Fundamentalist tradition and Biblical interpretation behind, often still carry on some theological/Biblical beliefs that are harmful. Or if we never identified as part of that tradition to begin with,  because Biblical literalism is often treated as the default we still absorb some harmful theology and ways of understanding the Bible, even if we don’t embrace Biblical literalism wholesale.   

For instance, in the book Decolonizing Palestine: The Land, The People, The Bible By Mitri Raheb, he points out repeatedly that Christian Zionism and the endorsement of said theology even by those who would not use that term to describe themselves, is not the exclusive domain of Biblical Literalists. Even liberal and Progressive Christians embrace interpretations of the Bible that are harmful to Palestinians. 

Case in point, equating Biblical Israelites with modern-day Israelies with the explicit purpose of portraying Palestinians as interlopers lays the groundwork for justifying the large-scale massacre and displacement of Palestinians. The idea that modern-day “Israel” is God-ordained to belong to one group of people, not to mention endorsing uncritical readings of Biblical texts like the book of Joshua, sets the foundation for the idea that God can and does ordain genocide.  

As Progressive Christians, we need to be constantly rethinking our assumptions about the Bible and about core beliefs that we uncritically accept. Additionally, finding ways to reach out and journey along with those who are also open to doing such work is important. This doesn’t necessarily mean attending a brick-and-mortar church,  (though if it does is great), but another often overlooked aspect of Biblical interpretation is that it does not occur in an individualistic vacuum. It is a communal activity.  

Note: The opinions expressed on this substack are solely my own and do not reflect the opinions of any employer, including government, non-profit, for-profit, educational, etc 

Image: white background, a person holding the Bible open. Text: As Progressive Christians, we need to be constantly rethinking our assumptions about the Bible.