Ancient Quote by Hershel Shanks
![“We have a text before us, an ancient text, a living text, and we try to enter it, not only to decipher it, but to penetrate it, to become part of it, similar to the way every student becomes part of a teacher's texture. That's how I see our [with Frank Moore Cross] two differing approaches.” quote by Hershel Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3db/hershel-shanks-25800_ancient_we-have-a-text-before-us-an-ancient-text_2833144.jpg)
“We have a text before us, an ancient text, a living text, and we try to enter it, not only to decipher it, but to penetrate it, to become part of it, similar to the way every student becomes part of a teacher's texture. That's how I see our [with Frank Moore Cross] two differing approaches.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Biblical Archaeology Review, 1995
Engage with ancient texts not just intellectually but experientially, becoming part of their living texture.
In simple terms: Live within the text, not just read it.
Key Takeaway
Immerse deeply in study.
Themes
learning
immersion
history
Mood
thoughtful
academic
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic research
- spiritual practice
- cultural immersion
Key Concepts
hermeneutics
experiential study
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance immersion with critical analysis?
- What does “becoming part of it” feel like?
A Different Perspective
May blur scholarly objectivity.
![“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)
