Take a (Holy) Hike
I’ve recently had the privilege of redesigning the way Methodist Local Methodist Preachers and Worship Leaders are taught to do exegesis - or, as I call it, Exploring and Expounding the Genius in Scripture. My aim has been to offer an approach to the Bible that is about asking questions, rather than interrogating it for answers. And a means of study that is less a step-by-step formula and more about equipping people for going on adventures into the text.
Although its a bit of a cliched, well-worn trope, I’ve taken to describing reading the Bible as a bit like going hiking in a new landscape. If you’re not a hiker yourself don’t worry, I’m not either! But stick with the metaphor for a moment because I think its a helpful and instructive one…
For a start, the purpose of hiking (at least, so I’m told!) is the pleasure of the hike itself. It isn’t about conquering the area - although there is some gratification and success in reaching certain summits, finding certain clearings and discovering hidden beauty-spots. Nor is it about getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible - although we might have a specific destination in mind. Neither is it about just building a portfolio of anecdotes and pictures, although we may want to capture certain parts of the trip for prosperity and to share them with others. Whilst we may want to get somewhere in particular or challenge ourselves in the process or have something to show at the end of the trip, these concerns, ultimately, are secondary. The primary purpose is to enjoy being in and exploring the landscape because it is a place of wonder, beauty, and discovery.
When we enter a new landscape we need to immediately recognise that we’re somewhere unfamiliar. Were we to go marching off into the woods without any knowledge of what might be there we may quickly get into trouble. We could get lost, we could stumble over uneven terrain, we might encounter unexpected dangers - particularly if we’re new to hiking in general.
One way of overcoming the risks here is to go with fellow travellers. The more eyes, ears and intuitions working together, the greater the likelihood of navigating more safely.
However, we may also want to make use of the existing, well-worn paths that have been started by those far more experienced than us, and which have borne many travellers since. These can help orient us, enable us to begin to appreciate the lay of the land, the vegetation and wildlife, even take us to some of those aforementioned summits, clearings and beauty-spots. As we follow these paths we have a degree of safety that can build our confidence and familiarity with the landscape.
But once we’ve grown an awareness and appreciation for the surroundings we do not want to simply remain on those same paths. There is more to see and discover, and more joy and excitement to experience, if we venture into some of the more unfamiliar areas. Of course, the less chartered somewhere is, the more likely of encountering totally new and surprising things - both beastly and brilliant. It is important here to not get complacent, but to keep our wits about us, to be cautious, discerning, respectful of the surroundings.
It is only as we grow in experience that we fully learn how to exist well in the space. We become aware of which bugs to be cautious of, which berries we nourish us or make us sick, where the hidden cliff edges are, and what tracks will most likely lead us to refreshing streams of living water.
Eventually, after many forays into a landscape, we will likely have developed our favourite spots. We may even have created some new well-trodden paths that others might go down. It is likely that we will want to take people with us, to share the sights and sounds and spaces that have brought us joy with others - whether they be seasoned hikers like us, or beginners like we once were.
But even in the sharing, the aim is not the self-glorification, or the personal gratification that comes from witnessing the ‘wow’ expressions on other people’s faces. The aim is always to see other people fall in love with the landscape as we have, and to develop the confidence to go on their own adventures. Who knows, they may discover things and lead us to places we weren’t even aware of yet.
My prayer for the Methodist Worship Leaders and Preachers I work with is that all of them will be inspired to adventure. That they would fall in love with the varied landscapes of the Bible, accepting the various tips and tricks on offer to them as tools and insights that can help them navigate its beautiful terrains for themselves. That they would learn and benefit from certain well trodden paths but also grow in confidence to forge their own. That they would develop the desire to take others with them on adventures into the text itself, rather than just share slideshows of experiences that others cannot relate to. And that their adventuring would always lead them into a deeper and more profound appreciation of the gift they have before them and the creator that they can discover within it.
