The Holy Trinity book group has just begun reading book 3 of the New Churches Teaching Series entitled “Engaging the Word” by the Rev. Michael Johnston. In it, Johnston “teaches us how to use critical and practical tools to explore the Hebrew and Christian scriptures intelligently and perceptively by asking, What did they mean for their original audience? What do they mean for us today?…His examples illustrate the fundamental questions that we must ask of any biblical text in order to enter fully into its meaning for us and for our worshiping community.”

Follow along with the group’s reflections by clicking the ‘comment’ icon above. All are welcome to post a comment, whether you’ve read the text or not. If you’d like to buy a copy and follow along with us, you’re invited to drop by the bookstore at St. John’s Cathedral — 12th & Grand on the south hill. Business hours are 10am-3pm Monday thru Friday. You can also call the bookstore for availability — 838.4277.

And the conversation begins (pg. 174):

The prologue sets forth this book’s central them: we come to the Bible as a community of faith seeking to discover our ancient identity as the people of God and hoping to interpret the word of God in the life of the community, both now and for the future.

What do you think it means to read the Bible as part of a community of faith, as opposed to reading simply for personal spiritual enlightenment?

How has your experience of hearing Scripture read in the liturgy changed your understanding of the church and the meaning of its texts?