Reading Scripture with both eyes open

There are two ways to misread the Bible. The first is to read it carelessly, skimming for comfort and leaving the difficult passages untouched. The second is to read it suspiciously, holding the text at arm's length, never letting it read us back.

Faithful reading refuses both. It brings every tool of attention we have, context, history, language, literary form, and it brings them kneeling. Open my eyes, the psalmist prays, that I may see wonderful things in your law.

In The Study Room we practise this double posture together: rigour and reverence, question and trust, both eyes open.