Every act of reading is an act of interpretation. Everyone interprets. No one interpretation is objective. Everyone interprets with opinions and bias. This is why some readings lead to life while others lead to death. The question we are asking is, Are we aware of our own social location when reading the scripture? Are we aware of what factors we rely on that lead to our interpretations? This week we will talk about the many sources that lead to our interpretations. Just in time for family thanksgiving!

I often hear Christians use the phrase “The Bible Says.” While this is a useful metaphor for some, it can also lead to problems. The Bible doesn’t say anything, it reads. And every act of reading is an act of interpreting. Somebody somewhere has to make decisions about its meaning. We all do it. There is no way around it. It’s why scripture has been used to heal and harm, liberate and oppress, and redeem and destroy. This week we will open the door to the art of interpretation.

In 2 Samuel 24:1, God tells David to count the people of Israel. That same story as recorded in 1 Chronicles 21, Satan tells David to count the people of Israel. Which one is it? This is one a hundreds of example of how messy the Bible is. I mean who actually killed Goliath? Turns out the Bible is not very clear. I know! This week we explore the grey letters of the Bible. What do we do with all the contradictions, inconsistencies, and tensions? And how can something this inconsistent be our guide? What does this say about the kind of Bible we have?