Do You Wear Glasses When You Read the Bible?
When you read the Bible, do you wear glasses? I mean metaphorically. Seriously, do you?
Communication experts tell us that we take in and process information through filters — or lenses. Often this selective process is helpful, removing the minutia of life so that important and relevant information can be observed, remembered, and contemplated.
Sometimes, however, this filtering process blocks us from seeing — and knowing — what is really significant and meaningful. Such is often the case as we read and study the Bible.
As we contemplate what the Bible says, our filters cause us to see and understand it through the perspective of our childhood upbringing, our education, and our formed beliefs. If we are socialists, we see socialism in the Bible; if we are capitalists, we see capitalism in the Bible. Similarly, we see democracy or theocracy or even monarchy as possessing Biblical support. Be we Democrats or Republicans, our political views are also mandated by the Bible, with the opposing party's views squarely nullified. Never mind that both sides are able to do so with equal vigor and aplomb.
This all happens because we tend to filter out those things that mess with our preconceived ideas and the status quo of our lives,
To garner a fuller, more holistic understanding of the Bible, we need to endeavor to remove our "reading" glasses, considering the full text and embracing the complete narrative — not to support our point-of-view, but to confront it and challenge it.
Communication experts tell us that we take in and process information through filters — or lenses. Often this selective process is helpful, removing the minutia of life so that important and relevant information can be observed, remembered, and contemplated.
Sometimes, however, this filtering process blocks us from seeing — and knowing — what is really significant and meaningful. Such is often the case as we read and study the Bible.
As we contemplate what the Bible says, our filters cause us to see and understand it through the perspective of our childhood upbringing, our education, and our formed beliefs. If we are socialists, we see socialism in the Bible; if we are capitalists, we see capitalism in the Bible. Similarly, we see democracy or theocracy or even monarchy as possessing Biblical support. Be we Democrats or Republicans, our political views are also mandated by the Bible, with the opposing party's views squarely nullified. Never mind that both sides are able to do so with equal vigor and aplomb.
This all happens because we tend to filter out those things that mess with our preconceived ideas and the status quo of our lives,
To garner a fuller, more holistic understanding of the Bible, we need to endeavor to remove our "reading" glasses, considering the full text and embracing the complete narrative — not to support our point-of-view, but to confront it and challenge it.
Posted by Peter DeHaan at 4/15/2010 8:00 AM 
Categories: reflections
Tags: personal filters author Peter DeHaan the Bible blog Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan blog postmodern biblical spirituality Bible meditations Bible information
Categories: reflections
Tags: personal filters author Peter DeHaan the Bible blog Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan blog postmodern biblical spirituality Bible meditations Bible information
I love it! We do so often read what we want the Bible to say so it matches with what we already think is true! It is such a challenge to read something without that filter already in place. But if I want to really know God and his will, I must set aside what I think is already true to be open to what he wants me to learn. I think we often do this without even realizing we have these "glasses" on. This is a good reminder to take those glasses off thanks!
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