Read the Bible Like a Mystic is Carl McColman’s invitation to readers to consider a meditative, contemplative approach to reading and interpreting scripture. The fundamentalist view that the Bible contains the authoritative word of God, and therefore must be read “simplistically and literally,” has often led to alienation and prejudice. McColman’s approach offers hope for a more compassionate and understanding interpretation. Instead of picking certain stories and verses to support an unyielding point of view, McColman invites readers to engage scripture in a nuanced and transformative way. He presents examples of mystics such as Saint Augustine and Saint Teresa of Avila, centering on humility, wisdom, and justice in the exposition of God’s love.
With my Christian upbringing and study of Buddhist traditions, I maintain a healthy skepticism of religious fundamentalism. McColman’s critiques are offered in a direct yet compassionate way, but I doubt that Christians, who tend to have a rigid, unrepentant approach, will be swayed by his well-reasoned appeal.
Read the Bible Like a Mystic is a good read for recovering Christians repulsed by the judgment and self-righteousness of others. McColman offers a warm, inviting nudge to read the Bible again, welcoming all who seek a more compassionate interpretation. By approaching scripture through self-reflection rather than as history or a code of law, we expand our ability to forge a spiritual path rooted in compassion.
Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Seattle Book Review.
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