Symphony No. 5

Perhaps the richest lesson I came away with from my formal training as a pastor was simple: How to read the Bible.  Don't get me wrong, having been a Christian for quite some time I had already read most, if not all, of the Bible, and much of it multiple times.  But always in tiny portions.  When I finally sat down to read entire books in one sitting (partly because my professors encouraged me to, partly because deadlines demanded I do so), I found myself entering a world that I had never quite visited before.  I had seen post cards, and perhaps even spent a long weekend there, but had never settled down.  I never lived there.  I finally realized--to my horror and amazement--that what I had in fact been reading for most of my life was verses, not the Bible.  I had been taught (quite usefully to a degree) to analyze verses and short passages, to ask fine-pointed questions, to dig deep into the details.  But I had not been taught to read it as it had been written.

"Valley Of Dry Bones"
from the Illustrated Bible by Barry Moser

One of my most vivid memories in this sea change period was of reading the entire book of Ezekiel in one sitting.  It took several hours.  It was, to say the least, a surreal experience.  My imagination was inundated with fantastic imagery, rich scenery, frightening oracles, and Doctor Who-esque visions.  And all one on top of the other.  As fast-paced as any Hollywood blockbuster, and as mind-boggling as the best indie flick.  It was beautiful.  It was frightening.  It was awe-inspiring.

I loved it.

Don't get me wrong.  I didn't retain most of it in an academic, Western sense of the word.  I can't give you a chapter-by-chapter synopsis off the top of my head.  But I understood a little better  what it looks like to be a prophet.  I understood something of the richness of the way God communicates to humanity.  I  understood that this world--God's world, both seen and unseen--is a truly incredible environment in which to exist.

If you've never read the Bible this way--the long way--do it.  Now.  (Although, I might not recommend beginning with Ezekiel...maybe Mark, or John would be more accessible).  It will change the way you think about the Bible.  It will change the way you think about life and God and yourself.  But don't just take my word for it...



"If this the book God meant us to have by the Spirt, then it's important that we actually take that seriously instead of just snipping it down to make it digestible, like sombody with a huge banquet in front of them who insists on going to the back room and just making a peanut butter sandwich instead." (N.T. Wright)