ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THIS STRANGE AND SACRED SCRIPTURE

Chapter 12

The Old Testament's Authority

Discussion Questions
Consider the different bosses and teachers you have had.  Were any particularly good?  Were any particularly bad?

Can you describe an experience where a friend exerted great influence over your life?

What image of biblical authority is most likely to get you to open the Bible, read it, and digest it?

• The Bible as one voice among many
  
• The Bible as Drill Sergeant
  
• The Bible as Boss
  
• The Bible as Trustworthy Resource
  
• The Bible as eyeglasses, light bulb, or finger pointing to God
  
• The Bible as Teacher
  
• The Bible as Friend

A Quote to Contemplate
The following poem by Nancy Byrd Turner offers friendship to a house guest (public domain).  Read it once, thinking about one friend saying it to another.  Read it a second time, imagining the Bible inviting you into friendship with it.  

If you come cheerily,
Here shall be jest for you;
If you come wearily,
Here shall be rest for you.

If you come borrowing,
Gladly we’ll loan to you.
If you come sorrowing,
Love shall be shown to you.

Under our thatch, friend,
Place shall abide for you,
Touch but the latch, friend,
The door shall swing wide for you!

Another Resource
Hamilton, Adam. Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today. New York: HarperOne, 2014. (Amazon)

Adam Hamilton is one of the most prominent United Methodist pastors today.  In this book, Hamilton provides readers with an introduction to the Old and New Testament.  He also tackles some difficult questions that readers encounter in the Bible.