Power-Reading the Bible
an occasional blog by Gary D. Collier

The Apocalypse Unplugged Dec 12, 2024

Today, I've just returned home from a stellar 5-day trip to Kansas City.  And today, I have a January announcement.  But first, what leads to it...

The Publisher

I went to KC as an...

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Choosing How We Hear Oct 22, 2024

When reading the Bible, I am responsible for the kinds of questions I'm willing to ask and for the way I am willing to hear what a text is saying. I'll come back to that idea.  But first...

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The Godhead Oct 05, 2024

The word “Godhead” in some English translations of the Bible is misleading, since people often equate it with the word “Trinity.”  The word “Trinity” never...

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Reading the Bible Like a Friend Oct 02, 2024

Right now, we’re reading Ephesians—a small, positive, powerful little book.  So, to all of our reading partners, I’m suggesting that we approach it like talking with a...

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Stand Your Ground Sep 27, 2024

For this reason, take up the full armor of God
so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand.  

Paul (Eph 6:13)

Starting...

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Coming Apart at the Seams Sep 18, 2024

Our families, our churches, our towns and cities, our country, our society, our world—we would have to be close to blind, or in abject denial, not to see that, in many ways, we are coming...

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The Art of Conversation in Caring Relationships Sep 05, 2024

It's sorely lacking in US and world politics, general society, churches, among neighbors, and, especially within families—to the point of a frightening urgency.  We all see it.  We...

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Canon: Jars of Baked Clay Jul 13, 2024

Before you watch the video, I have an important piece of information.    

This video might not be what you expect. 

All my life, I've heard the following...

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(15) Biblical Conversation & Expectation Jun 29, 2024

Your Expectation

It is mouthwatering when we take with us through a day a healthy, vibrant, eager expectation for the good that is about to happen next. It dramatically affects how we experience...

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(14) Strategies 4 & 5 Jun 01, 2024

Since most people have never heard of "Power-Reading the Bible" or of "engaging biblical authors in conversation through their texts," it's important to point out that this is not business as usual...

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(13) Strategies 2 & 3 May 25, 2024

Today, we continue with 2 more of the 5 strategies that Bible readers should seriously embrace to help create a mindset for entering into conversation with biblical authors...

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(12) Strategy 1 May 18, 2024

How do we consciously and strategically create a mindset for entering into conversation with biblical authors through their texts? That's our main question in this sub-series of...

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(11) Preparation May 11, 2024

You got up late this morning after texting too long last night with your best friend about some random issue. Consequently, the kids and the dog were acting up this morning. Traffic was heavy and...

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(10) 3-D Bible Reading May 04, 2024

If you want to get depressed, go look up the "Flat Bible Believers" Facebook page. Its very existence helps to demonstrate that people read the Bible every which way they can, and every which...

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(9) The Self and DBS Apr 20, 2024

In my previous post, I talked about self disciplines (or disciplines for the self) as specialty tools, and I noted that these tools are designed to do some things, but not other things. I...

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A Thinking Place Apr 18, 2024

Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" came out in 1964;  a new version by the group Disturbed in 2015.  I only heard the Disturbed version two days agoexactly 60 years after...

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(8) Specialty Tools Apr 13, 2024

"You just think everybody has to become a scholar to read the Bible!"  Occasionally, some feel uneasy with what I’m saying in the previous posts, and some even get offended by it,...

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(7) Methods for the Self Apr 06, 2024

We certainly need to read the Bible for personal and lofty reasons, in search of spiritual formation. As with textual interests, there are methods that are applied to the self.[1]   Back...

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(6) Text: Methods, Highs and Lows Mar 30, 2024

Frankly, the basics are pretty straightforward:  think of every biblical text as a friend, and then treat your friend the way you want to be treated. Start by listening to your...

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(5) Text: The Prime Directive Mar 23, 2024

“What does Bible study even mean?” Strange as that may sound, not everything that calls itself “Bible Study” is.

What It's Not

Unfortunately, this phrase gets attached to...

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(4) Text: Initial Notes on Methods Mar 16, 2024

It is not in spite of, but because of our love for our ancient, precious biblical texts, that we, with energy, seek out how to read them. We respect methods developed over centuries, and they are...

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(3) Spirit: What Could Be Mar 09, 2024

How do you know when the Spirit of God is speaking? 

Claiming that "the Spirit told me" something is very easy to do.  And when you hear someone say that, it's...

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(2) Spirit: The Letter Kills Mar 02, 2024

All readings of biblical texts should be Spirit-led. If any method of reading is Spirit-led, it will at least attempt to be responsible to what that text is trying to say and do.

The Psalmist says,...

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(1) Spirit: What Does It Mean? Feb 24, 2024

We’re talking about reading the Bible. So, right up front, let’s put this on the table: When reading the Bible, we need the Spirit of God. All reading of biblical texts...

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