Reading Theologically

8. Reading Spiritually

8 Reading Spiritually Shanell T. Smith “Oh. My. Gosh! What have I gotten myself into? This is not what I expected. This is not like the Bible studies we have at church. Did somebody just say ‘that man, Jesus?!’ . . . And all this reading?! How am I ever going to be able to retain this? How is this overload and bombarding of ‘religious’ material supposed to help me grow spiritually? Ugh!” Welcome to seminary. These thoughts recurred in my mind during my first year of seminary training. I had applied to seminary to get closer to Jesus and to get ordained so that I could preach to the masses; however, it felt as if the vast amount of information I was receiving was hindering my need for spiritual formation. It seemed as if all the information I received about God began to get in the way of my relationship with God and my desire to learn how to carry out my ministry more faithfully. What was I going to do? From where would my help come? 125 If you have experienced what I describe above—or have yet to (wait for it!)—do not be discouraged. I would like to suggest a strategy for you, which is helpfully encapsulated in the acronym “S.o. W.h.a.t?.” This strategy will help you to read spiritually, that is, to slow down the speeding learning train just long enough to take in the religious landscape and ask, “What does God want me to take from this?” Reading spiritually involves not only being intentionally reflective about the texts you read (both religious and non-religious) but also being appreciative readers of your colleagues and their religious purview. This approach enhances the learning of the self and deepens your connection with God as you read. Notice that reading spiritually is not the same as reading devotionally. Neither is it a non-academic or non-critical exercise. Let me state from the outset that reading spiritually is both a religious and an academic task. These two understandings are not in a dichotomous relationship that is forever in tension. Instead, they are two fluid concepts held in tandem, that is, in partnership with each other. This is what reading spiritually is about. The “S.o. W.h.a.t?” plan asks the obvious question, “So what?” As you read, encounter others in dialogue, and engage in hermeneutical exercises, ask yourself, “Why does this matter?” and then, “Why does or should this matter to me and the religious community I serve?” These two basic “so what?” questions will keep you on your spiritual path. They help you not only to keep your learning focused but also to tease out and take note of the things that resonate with your ultimate goals, your needs, and your spiritual development. But there is a word of caution to be shared here. Asking “so what?” does not mean we are to negate, discard, or ignore information or people that seek to challenge or stretch us. Neither does it mean that we can discard readings or learning that do not appear to apply to our own immediate questions. That is, asking “why does this matter?” is Reading Theologically 126 not a narrowing of learning but a way to open it up. We must engage in dialogue especially when the outcome is to seek understanding or is an attempt to help us develop or mature theologically. Reading spiritually, that is, asking “S.o. W.h.a.t?” involves an interrelated set of processes. I will present them step-by-step, but these practices are sure to overlap and are quite fluid in nature. Let’s get started. “S.o. What?” The “S” refers to self-reflection. When we read texts—especially sacred texts—we never do so objectively. We are flesh-and-blood readers.1 This means that when we approach texts for spiritual enlightenment, we come bearing our “stuff”—our presuppositions, biases, stereotypes, etc.—whether or not we are aware of them. The experiences (both good and bad) and the teaching or training we have received not only color the way we read texts spiritually but also influence the questions we bring to the task of biblical interpretation. Self-reflection involves taking inventory of the self and the communities that formed us. Several factors affect how we read spiritually. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, one...