““One of the biggest mistakes we make when reading scripture is that we come to the text demanding something of it. Don’t misunderstand me: scripture has so much to give us, more than we can imagine. But scripture cannot be anything other than what it is. I don’t believe the function of scripture is to make us feel better, or to give us an answer, or to tell us what to do. It can do these things, and very often does; but the function of scripture is revelation, certainly of God but also of what we may need to confront, realize, accept, or see differently. When we come to scripture, we do so knowing it will likely demand something of us. Scripture is a sacred book meant to provoke us in ways that will move us toward God.””
