The Merit of Scripture… paraphrasing
I have had a terrible approach to the study of scripture since the great fracture of 2002 (my adventures at Central Christian College of the Bible). As I am reapporaching my faith in the wake of that experiance, I am looking for good ways to reapproach the Bible. One of my convictions is constructing a book by book Biblical theology. Another one that I am looking to start is paraphrasing the Bible, one chapter at a time. Basically, all it would/has entail[ed] is the translation of a passage of scripture into my own vernacular. I think this helps one see the curves of the narrative of the passage, but this paraphrase would be an excellent item to revisit the next time you go to approach the same text.
What do you all think? Does this idea sound fruitful? Do any of you utilize this approach in your study of the Word of God?
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Comments
One thing I enjoy doing from time to time is recontextualizing, especially with parables and the pericopes of the gospels. Telling the Good Samaritan story where an illegal immigrant helps a beaten republican congressman conveys (IMO) the same message as the original parable yet has far more power to today’s audience. It’s like paraphrazing/vernacularizing, but on a bit larger scale I’d say.
Just an idea. :)
I really like this approach. I think it’s an interesting way to approach Scripture with an attempt to make it your own. I’d be interested in reading some of your paraphrases.