When we read New Testament letters we are reading other people's mail. They are very human pieces of correspondence. How do we see the difference between 'bring me my coat' and other parts of Paul's letters to Timothy? Could the 'human' parts of the letters be the key to understanding them and applying them to our situation?

How do we read the Old Testament as those who read it after Jesus, and especially as gentiles?

Should we read the David and Goliath story identifying as David, or those who lined up behind Goliath who faced God's anointed king while cosplaying as a Serpent?

The Bible is literarily true; not simply 'literally true' — and its authors use conventions like genre not just to give texts meaning but so that they fulfil a purpose. We test this framework out on some apocalyptic texts.

We can treat the Bible like it's 2D words on a page, where our job is to pull the text apart and comprehend its meaning; or like it is in 4D; where it pulls us into a way of seeing and living in the world as those who are brought face to face with Jesus in his glory.

God's words are given to us through ancient people speaking and writing ancient languages that are translated (and interpreted) into English. They are true in timeless ways as they reveal the glory of Jesus to us and invite us to be transformed into his image and likeness. Remembering that they are ancient and entering the world 'of the text' — seeing how words are used throughout the Bible's story — and the world 'behind the text' — seeing how words are used in the ancient world adds richness and helps us avoid domesticating texts in ways that make them speak only to our time.

The Bible is fully human, and fully divine and fulfilled in Jesus.

The Scriptures’re God-breathed — inspired — and they do speak to us — but, like Jesus, they are 'fully divine, and fully human' — incarnate in and through human authors and human processes for human audiences 'at various times', fulfilled in Jesus. We read the Bible best when we remember this humanity, as well as this divinity.

All Scripture is God Breathed — and is 'inspired' in order to breath life into God's people. We read the Bible according to its design when we read it as 'living and active' in order to become living and active humans inspired by God's Spirit.

We are vulnerable and honest about our own sin and brokenness, living and speaking the truth to one another in love, and welcoming to those not yet trusting Jesus.

Prayer is an expression of our new position — we are raised and seated with Jesus and have access to the Father in heaven as 'beloved' — the Lord's prayer answered. And prayer is a way we learn to live in this position and be those who want God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. So, as we gather we pray.