For the last several years, I’ve led a lot of groups of different sorts—students, pastors, and congregations, both in the US and abroad—through the same workshop. We make our way through 2 Samuel 11 in three interactive movements. By making observations and asking questions, we explore three dimensions that influence what we understand the chapter to mean:
What’s in the story
What’s behind the story
What’s in front of the story
The experience is never exactly the same. But a few things are consistent. Participants are always surprised that they see details in the story that they’ve never noticed before. They express that knowing more about the social and cultural dynamics behind the story makes it come alive. And they leave convinced that they bring a whole lot of assumptions and experiences with them when they read—some that illuminate and others that obscure the core message of this familiar story from the Bible.
Which is to say that a number of details and dynamics that were invisible at the beginning of the workshop are obvious by the end of our ninety minutes together. People often tell me that the Bible feels more relevant and real to them by the end of the exercise.
I never tire of watching this transformation happen.
And I’ve always wished I could share this experience with more people. That’s why this workshop on 2 Samuel 11 forms the central activity at the core of Reading the Bible in Three Dimensions. I’m hoping that those of you who read the book can lead others through this activity and see the same sort of transformation happen. I hope the ebook gives you the tools and confidence you need to have deeper and more meaningful conversations about the Bible with the people you care about.
In short, Reading the Bible in Three Dimensions is my attempt to synthesize and summarize the core insights I’ve gleaned through reading the Bible in diverse groups in diverse places. It’s organized so you—Lord willing—can put those insights into practice.
I’m pretty excited about it.
Now to the brass tacks
The ebook will be available next week on April 30.
On April 30, I’ll send the file free to paid subscribers. I’ll send a promo code for a deep discount to free subscribers. (To spare you the math, it’s cheaper to stay on the free tier. But, of course, I’d be grateful for your support!)
Do what you will by clicking this button.
Between now and launch day you can:
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A couple final notes
This process is a bit of an experiment. I’m trying to keep your cost down and make the ebook available for free outside the US, where necessary—and, while we’re at it, sort of stick it to the man. “The man,” in this case, is Amazon. So, for now, the book will only be available via the link in this newsletter and on my website.
Finally, without the very concrete support of my dear friend, Alastair Sterne, this book would still be an idea scribbled in a notebook (and probably lost behind the couch). Alastair is responsible for the design and layout and moral support, and he did a fantastic job. Please show him some love by subscribing to his newsletter and checking out his books here.
See you next week!