As well as there being a history behind the Bible, there is a history of the Bible. For most of its existence, most Christians have been unable to read, and so the Bible has been listened to more than read. Because it was often read in the language of scholars – Latin – people didn’t always understand it. Instead they approached it through pictures and the stories those pictures told. Sometimes, they approached it through drama, as we still do with nativity scenes and passion plays.
Those who did read were aware that there was a huge amount of diversity from its human authors, including some very difficult passages, but a fundamental unity that came from its divine author. They therefore worked out ways of reading it that would help deepen their understanding of, and relationship with, God.
In this third and final session, Doug Chaplin will explore some of the ways the Bible has been read and used over history, and see what we can learn from our ancestors in faith.
Doug Chaplin is the Discipleship and Lay Training Officer for the Diocese.