What the Bible Means to Me

The Bible is perhaps the greatest compilation of religious books every written. The three powerful monolithic traditions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) all draw from the Bible in some shape or form. In this paper I will narrow the topic question down to a personal level showing how I view the Bible as a spiritual toolbox used to refresh and renew my life through the spiritual tools of meditation, liturgy and literary criticism.
Before coming to seminary my meditation practice was very elementary. I would find a soothing psalm, proverb or verse from the lectionary to start my meditation. The words were read and contemplated on as written. Now, after a semester of theology school behind me, when I am reflecting on a book I studied in my Old Testament class, I contemplate not only the words but also on the possible reasons why a particular verse was written. Once concentrated on the possible reason behind the verse a deeper understanding of the words come alive that lead to more questions and a deeper contemplative session. The Bible, through meditation on its chapters and verses, becomes a questioning exercise. Questions lead to more questions and not having the right answer or any answer is of no concern to me. Before seminary, I would want to know the answers to my contemplative questions. Now, I understand the Bible as more abstract and more like a work of art or piece of music that cannot be totally explained away.
The Bible becomes mystical in the liturgy. Traditional Episcopalians such as myself bow when the Bible passes by the pew in which one sits. The reading of the scripture is followed by a hearty, “Thanks Be to God”. When one of the four Gospels is being read, great reverence is felt throughout large cathedrals and smaller parishes. While in the congregation, I feel the Bible is the object of my affection. It is mighty and powerful like the God of the Old Testament. I imagine that if the building would suddenly collapse or burn that the Bible would still remain intact. These feelings of awe are what the Bible is to me while in church. Maybe it is because the Bible is far away and not close to me, or I desire it more because I cannot touch and feel it (like I can in my meditation or contemplative practices). My feelings toward the Bible have not changed while in seminary when it is seen, read and proclaimed in the liturgy and Eucharist on Sunday mornings.
Lastly, the Bible is spiritually important to me in the practice of literary criticism. Before seminary, a study on the Bible would entail reading a particular story and using a study Bible for extra reference. This gets one pointed in the right direction for literary criticism, but falls short after experiencing Biblical commentary from three different sources while in seminary. My Old Testament class has taught me to look beyond the text and to explore not only other viewpoints of the text, but the history behind the story and studying what was going on that causes the author to write in a certain way. This kind of study fills my spirit because I feel I love God more with my mind whereas before, not enough thought was given to the scriptures and the different meanings and interpretations between the words.
The Bible remains a spiritual toolbox used for meditation, liturgy, and literary criticism. While at seminary, I find these three tools enhanced while studying and listening to scripture. Questions, and forming the appropriate questions, become increasingly important in the presence of the Bible. I am forever fascinated by the Bible (like the religions mentioned above) and hope to grow in my understanding of what it means in my spiritual life.