How to Read the Bible

By Mike Hayes

BustedHalo® Catholic Information Center

The Bible is Not a BookThe Bible is Not a Book

It is a collection of booksIt is a collection of books it was not meant to be: it was not meant to be: history history science science journalism journalism biographybiography It is the author of the It is the author of the

individual books best individual books best attempt to describe their attempt to describe their experience of God. experience of God.

Is it written by God?

“divinely inspired” Holy Spirit chose to

work through human beings

Preparation

Find a quiet place Pray What’s going on in your

life? You are preparing to

“listen” with the ears of inspiration

Get a Bible – New American Bible is the version Catholics use

Step One: Pick a text and read it

� What does the passage say EXACTLY?

� Does it make sense?

� Is it different or the same as I expected?

Example: Find the “apple” in the Garden of Eden

Step 2: Context

Look at passages before and after a verse. Historical and Cultural ContextQUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:� What is happening in the sections before and after the passage

I chose?� Is there anything that I just don't get?� Are there special customs or cultural background here that

would help me?

TOOLS: The CHURCH – what have biblical scholars said about this. Use your bible’s footnotes, biblical commentaries, etc.

Step 3: Understand Mystery Step 3: Understand Mystery

You can’t pin God downYou can’t pin God down Best we can do is tell storiesBest we can do is tell stories Think of the biblical section as “God’s Think of the biblical section as “God’s

Story” Story” �� Whose story is this passage telling? Whose story is this passage telling?

Who is it about?Who is it about?�� How do I feel when I hear it?How do I feel when I hear it?�� What ultimately is the point and What ultimately is the point and

what can we learn from it? what can we learn from it?

Step 4: So What?Step 4: So What? How does this have implications for my How does this have implications for my

own life?own life? What has the church said about the What has the church said about the

passage and what does that call me to do?passage and what does that call me to do? What’s the lesson?What’s the lesson? Good Samaritan: I am responsible for Good Samaritan: I am responsible for

people who are different from me.people who are different from me. Jesus asking Peter to walk on water: Fear is Jesus asking Peter to walk on water: Fear is

often what keeps us from trusting God often what keeps us from trusting God (Matthew 14:23-33).(Matthew 14:23-33).

Questions and CommentsQuestions and Comments

My Contact info:My Contact info:

mike@bustedhalo.commike@bustedhalo.com

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