Alex Kollar

January 20, 2017

BITH 315

Response #1

Response to J. Todd Billings

Reading Scripture on the Journey of Faith Seeking Understanding.

In this chapter, Billings addresses the issue of reading and

interpreting scripture, focusing mainly on the perspectives of Western

Christians. He begins by stating humans innate desire to seek for

something beyond ourselves by exploring any website in pursuit on

promises of a transcendent word. He goes on to explain that although

we may be searching for something greater, we long for a reality to

escape to that makes us feel comfortable and safe. As I was reading

this, I couldnt help but be transported back to my media studies class.

I remember discussing how we so often fabricate a perfect version of

ourselves through the use of social media in hopes of creating a

warped reality in which we can escape to. I think this directly connects

to what Billings is saying. He goes on to relate this concept of reality

molding to how we approach God and Scripture. He writes, We also

long for a word from God that conforms to our own plans and wishes.

We want a word from God that endorses our own decisions and

priorities.
 Billings also lists and critiques specific ways in which we

approach the bible that he claims to be misguiding. He talks about how

we create road maps of Scripture that we create ourselves to go back

to over and over again in specific situations. He says that we should

instead help ourselves to the smorgasbord of Scripture that satisfies

our every longing. I understand what Billings is saying about being

wary of turning the Bible into a one-stop-shop for our problems, but I

still see value in having specific verses to refer to every once in a

while. I agree that we shouldnt treat individual Bible verses like Band-

Aids or bend Biblical stories to cater to our own desires.