It's remarkably common today for Christians to have an understanding of the Bible that's based more on what they've been told it means than on what it actually says.
This isn't a criticism—it's an observation, and one I make from personal experience. For most of my life, my understanding of Scripture was shaped almost entirely by sermons, Bible studies, and the theological framework of my church tradition. I spent far more time listening to others talk about the Bible than I did reading the Bible for myself.
And here's what I've come to realize: that's not the same thing.
How We Got Here
There's nothing inherently wrong with learning from pastors, teachers, and traditions. These are gifts to the church. But somewhere along the way, many of us began substituting their interpretations for the text itself. We absorbed doctrines and frameworks without ever testing them against Scripture on our own. We accepted what we were told it meant without ever asking what it said.
Church doctrine, denominational distinctives, and theological systems all play a role here. They provide a lens through which we read the Bible—sometimes a helpful one, sometimes a distorting one. The problem comes when the lens becomes so familiar that we forget we're looking through it at all.
We end up reading the Bible not with fresh eyes, but with pre-loaded conclusions. We find what we expect to find because we've already been told what's there.
A Process of Rediscovery
A few years ago, I went through a process of rediscovering the Bible for what it actually says—as opposed to what I had been told it means.
It wasn't a decision I made lightly. It began as a quiet dissonance, a growing sense that some of the things I believed didn't quite line up with what I was reading. At first, I pushed those questions aside. But eventually, I couldn't ignore them anymore.
So I started reading. Not to confirm what I already believed, but to genuinely ask: What does it say?
That question changed everything.
A Jarring Experience
This process can be jarring. The text will sometimes contradict things you've believed for years. Doctrines you held dear may turn out to have less scriptural support than you thought—or none at all.
But if we persevere, something beautiful happens. On the other side is a richer, fuller understanding of the Bible. Themes emerge. Connections appear. The story of Scripture becomes more coherent, not less.
Honesty and Humility
This process requires honesty—about what we're reading, and about why we're sometimes reluctant to let go of ideas that aren't supported by Scripture. Is it pride? Social pressure? Simply not wanting to admit we were wrong?
None of us have it all figured out. This isn't about getting it all figured out. It's about holding our beliefs with open hands, ready to be shaped by Scripture rather than demanding Scripture conform to us.
Persisting in Love
I have to confess: this has been a struggle for me. When I started sharing my newfound perspectives, I got angry with people. I felt attacked, and I responded defensively. Looking back, I wasn't leading with love.
I've since softened my attitude, but I'm still working on it. It's hard coming to a new understanding of something and realizing that much of the world around you sees it differently. It's isolating. It's frustrating.
But we are called to take comfort in God—not in being right, not in winning arguments, but in Him. The goal is truth and love, held together. We correct false ideas when we discover the truth, starting with our own, and we persist in love toward those still on the journey.
Where to Start
You might be wondering: what specific ideas are we misunderstanding? What topics need this fresh look?
That's what the What Does It Say? section is for. There you'll find resources for tackling various topics through the lens of "What does it say?" rather than "What does it mean?"
But fair warning: this is a process. It takes patience and time. If you're looking for a quick hit, this probably isn't for you right now. But if you're willing to sit with the text, ask honest questions, and let Scripture speak—that's the beginning of something beautiful.