Greater than Fiction: Reading the Bible
/by Aleksander Apostolovski
She had been bearing with a burden for twelve years. Why had her only son been born with poor eyesight? The answer, she was told, could be found in the Bible. That didn’t sound right. She was the daughter of factory workers. Her teachers had told her that myths about gods and miracles were the reason why her family was still poor. And the collapse of the old system had not changed much. Though people could now download Bibles for free on their smartphones.
The Bible has played no role in Central and Eastern European politics, culture and life, except when it has been convenient to quote Bible verses out of context. Saints Cyril and Methodius, Matthias Flacius and Primoš Trubar were the exceptions, not the rule. Most people have had little exposure to the Bible, a thick book which is difficult to read. However, when they start reading the Bible, they need a Philip to ask them, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30- 31), and then help them do so.
The Scriptures are still God’s way of transforming lives. One reason they retain this power across cultures is their ability to meet people where they are.
The transition in Central and Eastern Europe has coincided with the immense popularity of TV and streaming service series. Why are they so popular? They dramatise humanity’s eternal themes – the same themes found in the Bible. For example, the story of David (2 Sam 9-1 Kgs 2) is a gripping thriller of love and adultery, lies and murder, war and peace. Esther is a harem tale full of intrigue, rivalry and cliff-hangers, like the Turkish historical soaps which have flooded our region.
Genesis would make a great TV series. It has ten major episodes and even has opening credits: “these are the generations of . . .” (2:4; 5:1; etc.). As in many telenovelas, a major theme is inheritance. Who will inherit his father’s blessing, Ishmael or Isaac? Esau or Jacob? Manasseh or Ephraim? With the blessing comes the family business. People are ready to kill to get their hands on it. So Cain kills Abel, Esau threatens to kill Jacob and Leah and Rachel fight over their husband. Joseph’s brothers fake his death, families are divided, hatred festers and promises and hearts are broken.
Comparing the Bible to a series is a way of attracting the attention of those who have never read it. They want entertainment, and they will find it. They want answers to burning questions, and they will find them. They want characters with whom they can identify, and there are plenty of them. God is a master storyteller.
The Bible is large, old and daunting. But if it is presented in manageable, meaningful chunks like Genesis, Esther or the Gospel of John, it can speak to us all and find us where we are. It may answer the questions we have been wrestling with for years. Especially if there is a Philip nearby who can point us to the right stories and explain them in relevant ways.
She walked into the basement. She found an old, musty Bible. Someone had given it to her on her wedding day. She opened it at random. And there it was. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned” (John 9:3). The burden was lifted.
Author: Aleksander Apostolovski
Dr Aleksander Apostolovski (PhD, University of Aberdeen, UK) is a researcher, writer and visiting lecturer at Evangelical Theological Seminary, Osijek, Croatia. He is a member of the Evangelical Church in North Macedonia.
Read more from the Central and Eastern European Bible Commentary.
A groundbreaking, multi-year work and the first full-Bible commentary to come out of Central and Eastern Europe. The aim of this resource is to provide a contemporary, contextually relevant, church-based commentary written exclusively by biblical scholars from the region. Rooted in scholarship, while also written in clear and accessible language, this resource will help pastors, preachers, teachers and lay leaders to interpret and apply biblical truths in the rapidly-changing contexts of their lives and faith communities.
For an interview with the author visit HERE.
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The Central and Eastern European Bible Commentary was published in April 2023 by Langham Partnership, and is available here https://langhamliterature.org/central-and-eastern-european-bible-commentary
God is the master storyteller.
Aleksander Apostolovski
