How Not to Read a Narrative
It can be challenging. Two-thirds of the Bible is narrative–passages that recount what happened in someone’s life. The challenge comes when we want to make application from a narrative passage or find meaning in what is reported. As we seek to find something...
Why Are We Not Staggered?
Good Friday. Easter. Jesus' death and resurrection. Every Christian church celebrates. All believers look to a wonderful time of worship with others. But I have been thinking. Are we missing something? I've wondered if our perceived familiarity with the "Easter...
He Wasn’t Immune
Because of the Covid pandemic, there's been a lot of discussion about natural immunity. Regardless of where you find yourself in that conversation, that concept is understandable. The basic idea? The person with natural immunity has a kind of in-built resistance to...
Small But Important Details
There are times when our familiarity with a Gospel story might prove to be a hindrance when we come to reading a passage. Our sense that we already know what the account is about and why the Gospel writer recorded it for us can leave us inattentive. And the result?...
It is Not Uncommon, But it Can Be a Problem
You might not know the term, but you have experienced the problem. The term? Inattentional blindness. The idea? That we often overlook something right in front of us because we are focused on something else. We often miss an object right in front of our eyes if it...
Attentive Writer, Attentive Readers
There are times when we just sit and eat. Those moments when we are hungry, short on time, drive thru some fast food place and are simply wanting to get a bit of something to satisfy the hunger. There is a time and place for that kind of food. But there are times...
Why Did He Ask?
On more than one occasion Jesus asked an intriguing question: "Have you never read?" (See, for example, Matthew 12:3-5 or Mark 12:26.) The grounds for the question is not always identical, but the purpose of Him asking that kind of question seems to be the same...
Not On Our Own as Readers
Although The River's focus is on helping people read and understand the Bible, it is not merely a "natural" thing we do. Our reading Scripture is not simply a matter of applying ourselves to the task of reading. Although the goal of reading the Bible should be to...
Maybe a Bigger Deal Than We Tend to Think
Well, the "Christmas season" is upon us. For some, that is a time of stress; for many, a time for joy; for others, just attempting to get through the season. But for those who know Jesus, it is right not to lose sight of the reason for the season: The Birth. But...
Are You Thankful?
We have just celebrated Thanksgiving–that traditional American holiday. Family and friends gathered, special foods were shared, and (hopefully) there was some giving of thanks to the God who provides it all. Obviously, the apostle Paul didn't celebrate...
