What’s the Bible for? We requested dozens of writers to reply to this query in seven phrases or much less, in addition to to broaden on their response in a couple of sentences. To see the entire responses collectively as they’re posted, bookmark this web page.
Constructing friendship
The Talmud says that students who sit alone and research the Torah change into silly. The Torah, as an alternative, must be “acquired in firm.” Our Jewish neighbors name the communal scriptural interpretation “Havruta,” which suggests pal. We construct group by studying scripture collectively. However greater than that, the Bible is a chance to develop in friendship with the interpreters all through the centuries. We will change into mates with Augustine of Hippo, Hildegard of Bingen, and St. Moses of Ethiopia as we learn with them. Additionally the writers of scripture: Paul, too, could be your pal. (Like a lot of my mates, he could be aggravating and superb in equal measure.) And if Paul, then God additionally, the thing of all scripture. The Bible exhibits us the right way to change into God’s pal and, extra importantly, to guarantee us that God is ours.