Reading Matthew for the Effect I laid out in another article an approach to reading the New Testament that places the focus where it lay for the authors of the texts–on the transformation of human lives (see “Interpreting a Gospel Passage: Part I“). Whether we engage the documents as believers or skeptics, I suggested that…
Read MoreInterpreting a Gospel Passage: Part I
Reading for the Effect When we interpret a passage in one of the gospels, one of our primary goals is to understand the text. But what does “understanding” mean here? I don’t think it should mean distilling down the “essence” or “theology” of the text, so that we no longer need to consult the book…
Read MoreHear My Interview on the WikiGod Podcast
Back in June I had a wonderful conversation with Mark Groleau about everything from my experiences growing up to my book Paul’s Way of Knowing. You can find the interview in two parts here (part 1) and here (part 2).
Read MoreHow to Find the Focus of a Narrative Episode
One of the most important tasks in reading a story is deciding where to focus. As a reader, my focus is often scattered. Things catch my attention for all kinds of reasons, some personal and some because of my own place in culture and history. If we’re interested, though, in how the text was intended to affect us, we need…
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Ian W. Scott 