This fall I'll be hosting a reading group through my church in which we go through through the books of the New Testament using an edition from Community Bible Experience. There's nothing sneaky about the edition; it's NIV. But the books are arranged in a unique reading order, and the chapter and verse markings are removed.
Obviously since this is something we're starting at the end of the month, I don't have anything specific to say about the reading itself. But the concept is a good reminder that some things we've grown very accustomed to occasionally require a fresh look. We don't need to make them new - there's nothing wrong with familiarity. But to readjust our vision, to remind ourselves that our perspective has been limited by any number of factors - that's important.
I hope that the premise of "a fresh look" doesn't inspire everyone to throw out their knowledge and experience. But there should be a way to acknowledge that we have blind spots without assuming our own past is untrustworthy.
These are somewhat disconnected thoughts, but consider it a heads-up as to what I'll be doing for the next couple months. And if some of the thoughts and conversations that come out of it land here, you'll know why.
Obviously since this is something we're starting at the end of the month, I don't have anything specific to say about the reading itself. But the concept is a good reminder that some things we've grown very accustomed to occasionally require a fresh look. We don't need to make them new - there's nothing wrong with familiarity. But to readjust our vision, to remind ourselves that our perspective has been limited by any number of factors - that's important.
I hope that the premise of "a fresh look" doesn't inspire everyone to throw out their knowledge and experience. But there should be a way to acknowledge that we have blind spots without assuming our own past is untrustworthy.
These are somewhat disconnected thoughts, but consider it a heads-up as to what I'll be doing for the next couple months. And if some of the thoughts and conversations that come out of it land here, you'll know why.
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