The Fourth Reading

Well, the third reading has come and gone. I hope you are continuing to develop and expand resources for yourself. If not, I hope the experience of reading has been fruitful for you all.

Here are the instructions for the fourth reading:

 

Fourth Read-Through: Critical Engagement

                  Supplies:

1.     Notebook

2.     Pen/Pencil

3.     Your Fabulous Brain

                  Instructions:

1.     You are a veteran now. It is probably safe to say that you have read through the Torah more times than a majority of Christians. Congratulations! Now you have some hard work to do. As a burgeoning expert, you are qualified to begin asking some tough questions. So, as you read, with all of your notes and maps of the text close at hand, keep a running tab of any questions that continue to surface.

a.     For example: In Genesis 37:12-36, we read the story of the brothers selling Joseph into slavery, a plot cooked up by Judah (which in turn thwarts the plot of Reuben) to save Joseph from murder. We later observe that Judah is exonerated, not just by Joseph, but ultimately by God as he is the origin of the line of David. Yet later on in Exodus, a law is communicated that forbids the selling of a brother into slavery. Is Judah guilty of violating Torah retroactively? Why or why not?

2.     Not all questions need to be elaborate. They can be simple questions that need historical or cultural information to be answered.

a.     For example: Why did Judah give Tamar his staff and seal (Genesis 39)? Are those things important?

3.     Finally, please note that these questions do not need to be answered. However, on reflection days, you should think about how you might answer them. Are they things you could look up online? Perhaps you will need a commentary from your pastor. Perhaps you will need your pastor’s or mentor’s advice as you process more theologically significant questions.

The critical questions stage can be difficult, but it is a good process practice as you read Scripture. It changes the way you interact with the text and deepens your relationship with the Spirit who inspired it. Be patient and be honest. Seek deeper understanding and the Torah will come to life in more ways than you thought possible.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: For those of you who may have fallen off of the wagon at some point, I have included a link to an alternate reading schedule. Instead of reading through the Torah two more times by the end of the year, it is designed to get you through once. This is for those who need the opportunity to slow down a bit in order to accomplish authentic critical engagement. I hope it will allow for you to grow in your knowledge and practice. Here is the link:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B299gXozAaDrcGZTZFRpcmhNTVE

Blessings