Many people struggle with the Bible. There are bits they like and there are bits they dislike. Beyond the likes/dislikes there is the issue of interpretation. What is this holy text saying? What does God want us to take from it? Fundamentalism can give the study of the Bible a bad name. We are not asked to leave our critical faculties behind. God gave us the ability to discern, He gave us a brain. If we look to Judaism and the study of the Old Testament in Jesus’ own day we are aware that there existed a huge a collection of literature on the interpretation of scripture. There were competing and conflicting schools of thought. Different Rabbis held different opinions. Some believed in the resurrection of the body other Jews did not. St Paul was a master at playing these groups off one another to his advantage.

The study of scripture can be rewarding and refreshing. It is not about putting on a straight jacket but genuinely being open to what God has to say to us. The discussions we can have about these ancient texts show that they are not dead but very much alive. The Holy Spirit is at work in our deliberations. We are on a pilgrimage of faith whose final destination is eternal life with God. Like any journey we will get lost at times, we will take a wrong turn but hopefully we will get there in the end. Never, ever be scared of the Bible because the Church teaches that in it are the words of eternal life.