Bible Quote by Hershel Shanks
“I think that there are these two very different sides to my relation to the Bible: one, my professional life; the other, a more private concern, interest and fascination with the Bible.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Bible and Its Readers, 2005
Professional study of the Bible differs from personal fascination; one is analytical, the other emotional.
In simple terms: Study vs. personal interest.
Key Takeaway
Balance scholarly rigor with personal wonder.
Themes
scholarship
personal growth
faith
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
academic
personal
When to use this quote
- academic research
- private study
- teaching
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
Hermeneutics
curiosity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can scholars maintain personal reverence?
- Does personal interest affect academic objectivity?
A Different Perspective
Professional analysis may limit emotional connection.
![“I do not deal with the text [of the Bible] scientifically. I read it, I'm interested in its layers of meaning, but my relation to it is much more an emotional one.” quote by Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/082/elie-wiesel-341_bible_i-do-not-deal-with-the-text-of-the-bible_2866487.jpg)
![“I sense that what you two [Elie Wiesel and Frank Moore Cross] share is that you each have a public relationship to the Biblical text and a somewhat private relationship to the Biblical text.” quote by Frank Moore Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c90/frank-moore-cross-14963_biblical_i-sense-that-what-you-two-elie-wiesel-an_2178317.jpg)
![“We differ [with Frank Moore Cross] simply because of our differing backgrounds.” quote by Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/177/hershel-shanks-25800_backgrounds_we-differ-with-frank-moore-cross-simply_83466.jpg)
![“I know that the Bible has been a central influence in [Elie Wiesel and Frank Moore Cross] lives - but in a very different way. In truth, you inhabit very different Biblical worlds.” quote by Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a11/hershel-shanks-25800_bible_i-know-that-the-bible-has-been-a-central_315652.jpg)
![“As long as I'm giving a little hype, I can't resist saying that Elie [Wiesel] has also written a number of pieces for Bible Review, for which I serve as editor.” quote by Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/170/hershel-shanks-25800_editors_as-long-as-i-m-giving-a-little-hype-i-ca_701770.jpg)
![“Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, Elie Wiesel is also the author of more than 40 books. As relevant as anything to today's discussion are the insights into the Biblical texts that are contained in his lectures and books. They include Messengers of God [1976], Five Biblical Portraits [1978]…” quote by Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/327/hershel-shanks-25800_biblical_awarded-the-nobel-peace-prize-in-1986-el_864515.jpg)
![“Most of my professional work has been in these areas - as a historical critic, as a literary critic. I've done very little in the history of interpretation [as Elie Wiesel has]. I've been interested in it, but I have not contributed to that field, really.” quote by Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6fd/hershel-shanks-25800_areas_most-of-my-professional-work-has-been-in_2052259.jpg)
