Power-Reading the Bible
an occasional blog by Gary D. Collier

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Canon: Jars of Baked Clay Jul 13, 2024

Before you watch the video, I have an important piece of information.    

This video might not be what you expect. 

All my life, I've heard the following questions—usually, in a title for a forthco...

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(15) Biblical Conversation & Expectation Jun 29, 2024

Your Expectation

It is mouthwatering when we take with us through a day a healthy, vibrant, eager expectation for the good that is about to happen next. It dramatically affects how we experience ever...

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(14) Strategies 4 & 5 Jun 01, 2024

Since most people have never heard of "Power-Reading the Bible" or of "engaging biblical authors in conversation through their texts," it's important to point out that this is not business as usual or...

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(13) Strategies 2 & 3 May 25, 2024

Today, we continue with 2 more of the 5 strategies that Bible readers should seriously embrace to help create a mindset for entering into conversation with biblical authors through their texts.

2. Ke...

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(12) Strategy 1 May 18, 2024

How do we consciously and strategically create a mindset for entering into conversation with biblical authors through their texts? That's our main question in this sub-series of 4 posts. Today, we'll ...

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(11) Preparation May 11, 2024

You got up late this morning after texting too long last night with your best friend about some random issue. Consequently, the kids and the dog were acting up this morning. Traffic was heavy and you ...

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(10) 3-D Bible Reading May 04, 2024

If you want to get depressed, go look up the "Flat Bible Believers" Facebook page. Its very existence helps to demonstrate that people read the Bible every which way they can, and every which way that...

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(9) The Self and DBS Apr 20, 2024

In my previous post, I talked about self disciplines (or disciplines for the self) as specialty tools, and I noted that these tools are designed to do some things, but not other things. I especially n...

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(8) Specialty Tools Apr 13, 2024

"You just think everybody has to become a scholar to read the Bible!"  Occasionally, some feel uneasy with what I’m saying in the previous posts, and some even get offended by it, as if I don’t unders...

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(7) Methods for the Self Apr 06, 2024

We certainly need to read the Bible for personal and lofty reasons, in search of spiritual formation. As with textual interests, there are methods that are applied to the self.[1]   Back in post #4, I...

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(6) Text: Methods, Highs and Lows Mar 30, 2024

Frankly, the basics are pretty straightforward:  think of every biblical text as a friend, and then treat your friend the way you want to be treated. Start by listening to your friend and don't keep i...

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(5) Text: The Prime Directive Mar 23, 2024

“What does Bible study even mean?” Strange as that may sound, not everything that calls itself “Bible Study” is.

What It's Not

Unfortunately, this phrase gets attached to just about everything:  

    ...
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(4) Text: Initial Notes on Methods Mar 16, 2024

It is not in spite of, but because of our love for our ancient, precious biblical texts, that we, with energy, seek out how to read them. We respect methods developed over centuries, and they are not ...

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(3) Spirit: What Could Be Mar 09, 2024

How do you know when the Spirit of God is speaking? 

Claiming that "the Spirit told me" something is very easy to do.  And when you hear someone say that, it's almost as if you are not allowed to ask...

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(2) Spirit: The Letter Kills Mar 02, 2024

All readings of biblical texts should be Spirit-led. If any method of reading is Spirit-led, it will at least attempt to be responsible to what that text is trying to say and do.

The Psalmist says, “...

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(1) Spirit: What Does It Mean? Feb 24, 2024

We’re talking about reading the Bible. So, right up front, let’s put this on the table: When reading the Bible, we need the Spirit of God. All reading of biblical texts should be Spirit-led. All!


Thi...

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The Bible, Covid-19, and Every Threat Mar 26, 2020

Does the Bible Even Belong in This Discussion?

In the 1951 movie, People Will Talk, Cary Grant (as a medical doctor)  makes the following rather bleak  statement: "If old Mother Nature had her way, t...

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Visit to the Creation Museum (2) Jul 11, 2018

In my previous post, I introduced my visit to the Creation Museum (CM). Now I turn to some critical remarks.

Critical Comments

For all of my enjoyment, CM is not really a natural history museum (a...

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Happiness Sep 24, 2013

Today (September 24, 2013) is the 37th anniversary of the death of my daughter, Stacie Michelle.  And in memory of her (this will not be so much about her as in memory of her), I want to write a few w...

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Book Review: Introduction to Biblical Studies (by Steve Moyise) Jul 26, 2013

I was delighted to receive in the mail today the book entitled Introduction to Biblical Studies by Steve Moyise (professor of biblical studies at the University of Chichester, UK).  This is the third ...

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Reading Responsibly Jan 05, 2011

Since I talk a lot about being “responsible readers” of the scriptures, someone recently asked this:

What is it to be a responsible reader of anything? And why is that so important when reading the

...
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