Head & Heart: Promoting Holistic Biblical Engagement for Ordinary Christians

Abstract

Studies with members of church congregations, and with those embarking on training for ministry, suggest that ordinary Christians being trained in critical biblical engagement perceive there to be two alternative approaches to engaging with the Bible. These are ‘academic’ or ‘intellectual’ stances, mediated by Christian ‘professionals’, and ‘inspirational’ or ‘contemplative’ routes, mediated through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This study examines such perceptions, historical understandings of the nature of biblical engagement, and discussion of this concept within contemporary academic circles; its aim is to propose strategies by which critical and confessional biblical engagement by ordinary Christians might be both integrated and holistic.