Have you ever read the Bible and suddenly felt that an old friend was a perfect stranger? This happens to me all the time. Just when I think I know the Bible, I read something I didn’t know was in there. This is kind of embarrassing to admit because I’m a Bible scholar and an ordained pastor. If anyone should know what’s...

How to Actively Read:

Last week we began exploring the difference between passive reading and active reading, and how this relates to our own particular Bible reading style.

It is natural to sit back and just listen to a sermon, including Scripture being read. But is this active engagement? When I teach college students how to engage with...

What is your Bible reading style? Do you skim through known stories? Focus on the Psalms? Perhaps, you feel most comfortable in the New Testament and avoid Old Testament jargon. Or, maybe the majority of your interactions with Scripture involve listening to sermons. 

It is healthy to examine our habits. Our brains are wired for repetition;...