Chapter 13: Sharing our Synagogue Bible
Some important features of the synagogue experience are relevant today:
- The was an ongoing communal immersion in the scriptures.
- Jesus and Paul both regularly taught in the synagogue.
- After readings, there was time for a sermon or instruction.
- Jesus and Paul mostly talked in story (at least in the limited accounts we have).
- There was fair amount of diversity in interpretations.
Three aspects that speak to our current experience.
- It is time to reprioritize the public reading of scriptures.
- Leaders need to be able to proclaim and to promote community participation.
- We should take up the synagogue practice of vigorous interaction over the text and unlearn the harsh antagonism toward those who interpret differently.
What Reading Together Looks Like. "The Bible was written by communities, for communities, about communities.”
We need to change some of our patterns to come together intentionally as a community.
- Our regular rhythm should be one of group immersion in the text. ”The shortcoming in our day is not analysis— we are lacking a sense of the bigger work, the longer patterns and the unique voices present throughout the Bible. Of course, there is a time to look closely, to discuss and learn together, but communal feasting on long sections and whole books would feed us in a new way. Perhaps we need less “use” of the Bible and more simple absorption of it in its natural and full forms.”
- Change how we think about living the Bible well. In addition to thinking about what it means to me what doe it mean for our community.
- Similarly, how the Bible is preached needs to think about the message to the community.
"It’s crucial that we gain a real appreciation for how reading, listening and learning the Bible from multiple perspectives can be a gain, not a threat. For too long we’ve labored heavily under the view that there’s only one right thing to say about any Bible passage. The implication so often is that there is one single truth to be found and our job is to determine it. But regularly experiencing the Bible in community will shatter this expectation. It is imperative that we embrace a multiperspective approach without slipping into pure subjectivity or a postmodern relativism.”
Conclusion. "Saving the Bible in our day necessitates the rediscovery of truly communal engagement."
Quotes from Paauw, Glenn R. (2016-04-21). Saving the Bible from Ourselves: Learning to Read and Live the Bible Well (Kindle Locations 2961-2962). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.