The translators of the King James Bible made it look like a book, sound like a book, and walk like a book. Unfortunately, “a book” is exactly what the Bible is not: it is a library written in different languages, cultures, periods, countries and situations. Instead of looking to the Bible for statements of faith, we need to rediscover its story. Have we got the courage to read it – and let it read us?
Richard Burridge is the dean of King’s College London and its chair in Biblical Interpretation. Previously he was a chaplain at the University of Exeter, where he taught New Testament and Ethics. His most recent book, Imitating Jesus: An inclusive approach to New Testament ethics, was shortlisted for the Michael Ramsey Prize.
