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This week I participated in the first of many “Scriptural Reasoning” meetings in NYC, engaging sacred texts with Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the model developed by Dr. Peter Ochs. Scriptural Reasoning, in its basic form, attempts to build peaceful interfaith friendships through the group study of the participant’s sacred texts. (You can access the full curriculum here).
While I do have my personal critique of the method, cautious of it’s strict “Abrahamic” model and tendency to minimize significant differences, I was encouraged by three particular “rules” of the exchange:
1. Entering the realm of another’s sacred text requires an invitation.
As a scholar, it is expected for me to jump between discussions of the Tanakh, Bhagavad Gita, Quran, New Testament, applying theoretical models and precise hermeneutical practice. This was called my entire MA in Religious Studies experience.
Yet there is an element in the academy that can sterilize a text, losing its relational connection to those who find it sacred. Scriptural Reasoning groups abide by this rule: your invitation to partake in other’s text is a gift. There is something meaningful about the invitation. An element of trust is shared in the exchange, and the forthcoming discussion is staged on that trust.
2. Every voice is heard and valued.
My training in sacred texts teaches me there are “right ways” and “wrong ways” to study a text. Context is everything, understanding the literary structure is important, and I must attempt to displace my personal bias.
But in Scriptural Reasoning groups, it didn’t matter who was a scholar, who knew more or less, or who belonged to which religion. By removing the boundaries, if only for an hour, we were able to elevate a variety of voices. At one point a Jewish participant looked at our New Testament text, the first few verses of John 1, and asked how we knew it was about Jesus. The Christians in the group asked about the implications in Bereshit 1 of pre-existing matter or substance before creation. Together we each shared our impressions, thoughts, and crazy ideas, which garnered a stimulating environment.
3. Embracing what you don’t know involves honest questions and intentional listening.
None of us are a complete expert in anything. And even the elements of our religion we learn in depth are subject to intense debate. Thus, Scriptural Reasoning groups approach the conversation acknowledging the honest questions each participant has.
One Jewish participant asked about the water references in Bereshit 1. Soon both Christians and Jews considered the epic tale of Tiamut and Marduk in relation to their origin stories. Sometimes we asked questions we couldn’t answer. Sometimes questions led us to “crazy” ideas. But our intentional listening and honesty reflected the value of the trust we shared, allowing each of us to appreciate the other.
By meeting together, it was as if we were infusing the sacred texts themselves with new meaning. We were living out their stories and creating an atmosphere of friendship. For a short time, my need for textual preciseness could be put aside in favor of earnest listening. Ultimately, our discussions were not trying to “solve” the great mysteries of our texts at all, but to hear each others perspectives and learn to understand the other. It did not matter if we talked about one verse or ten, what mattered was we were allowing each other into our sacred worlds and responding with honest engagement.
In times when conflict between members of many predominant religions fill the news, it was refreshing to gather together in friendship. I would encourage you to seek out members of other religions and engage each others sacred texts. Even if you don’t have a sacred text, appreciating someone else’s religious world does more than spread goodwill, it builds the trust and friendship necessary to tackle adversity.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
