Serving Up Scripture

How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself and Others

De: Jennifer Garcia Bashaw, Aaron Higashi, Peter Enns - foreword

Narrado por: Nan McNamara

Have you ever seen the Bible used to hurt someone—or has it been used to harm you? Have you sometimes gotten the feeling that people were misapplying verses but been unable to explain how? Do you wish you could better understand what may look like contradictions in the text?

If so, you're not alone. But thankfully, better ways to read and understand the Bible are within your grasp. That's because this user-friendly introduction to biblical interpretation teaches how you can interpret Scripture, both for yourself and for those you love.

Everyone who reads the Bible interprets it, often unconsciously. Learning and practicing key principles of interpretation, however, can empower you to better understand, and to engage more comfortably and responsibly in this process. Using the metaphor of cooking, in which delicious and nourishing meals are created from the ingredients at hand, Serving Up Scripture explains how you, the chef (or interpreter) can whip up solid meals (make trustworthy and insightful interpretations) from the main ingredients (chapters and verses) in your Bible. Just as a cook learns to prepare the same basic ingredients in different ways depending on the context of the meal, you'll learn to ask different questions of the text in order to illuminate aspects of the story or passage you're seeking to understand.

©2026 Jennifer Garcia Bashaw and Aaron Higashi (P)2026 Christian Audio

Interpret for Yourself

One of the last chapters, Interpreting for Yourself, is one of the most valuable, but I imagine it is hard to hear. Such plain direct speech is underrated, and the strength of this book. Most religious people, of any religion, have been forced into a fear of dissent. May those who are sincere about their beliefs and action hear the message despite the walls our ancestors have built.