The current political landscape is rough and, it seems, getting rougher all the time. And one of those rough spots involves the way in which religion is understood and engaged – what we assume about proper practice and what we argue in terms of proper reading of sacred texts. In light of this arrangement, I’d like to offer a suggestion, or better yet a recommendation: Regardless of what recent debate and disagreement suggests, we would be wise to let go of the assumption there is a correct and “true” reading of the Bible. This is not the case, and it has never been the case. It will never be the case.

The Bible is always read in light of the reader’s historical and cultural context – always has been and always will be. That is to say, we bring our concerns and ourselves to the Bible. This is not a problem unless it goes unacknowledged, hidden behind a thin veil of religious self-righteousness and arrogance. And regarding this, Evangelicals don’t have a direct line to the world of the Bible and the intent of the scripture message, but neither do those who are more liberal in their religious outlook. Both perspectives, and all those in between, can do great harm when they involve (by commission or omission) speaking about biblical claims out of context, without proper attention to the world in which those passages were forged and the interests and preoccupations of contemporary readers.

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