Filters of the Word

The Lenses that Shape Our Experience of the Bible

Photo by Chris F, www.pexels.com

There are different ways to read the Bible. Or, more specifically, different lenses through which to read it.

You know that, I’m sure. You’ve probably seen it through several different lenses during the course of your spiritual journey.

There’s the “instruction manual” approach (though if it’s nothing more than instructions, we’ve turned it into a legal/moral code or a dry reference book).

There’s the doctrinal approach (though if it’s nothing more than a theological treatise, we’ve got a lot of ideas without much heart or power).

There’s the “love letter” approach, an appeal from a loving God to draw his beloved into a relationship with him (which risks turning our relationship with him into mere sentimentality, even though the basic premise of a love-driven narrative is true).

We can read it as the story of God or the story of humanity (though emphasis on one or the other risks imbalance).

And we can read it through an allegorical lens, a sin-guilt-and-grace lens, a legalism lens, a social gospel lens, a spiritual salvation-only lens, a liberation lens, a kingdom lens, a supernatural lens, and a multitude of other perspectives.