How to Read the Bible Yourself
The definitive "Bad" Books of the Bible guide to understanding Scripture within the Orthodox Christian Tradition
“Bad” Books of the Bible is back, and to celebrate the relaunch of the podcast after a temporary hiatus, I decided to unpack the basics of Bible study on the show in two short episodes. I figure that there is no better way to prepare us to dive back into the “bad” books than to orient ourselves to the books in general.
And since Orthodox Christianity makes a bold and foundational claim that it is the original Church founded by Christ, preserving the fullness of the apostolic faith, from this claim flows its entire understanding of the Holy Bible. The Bible is not seen as a standalone book that fell from the sky, but as a collection of divinely inspired writings given to humanity through the vessels of the Hebrews and the Church.
Therefore, to study the Bible as an Orthodox Christian is to step into a flowing stream of Holy Tradition that runs directly from Christ, through the Apostles and generations of saints, to the present day. It is an encounter shaped by, and inseparable from, this living lineage.
The Unbroken Chain: Apostolic Continuity and Holy Tradition
The Orthodox Church traces its spiritual lineage directly to the Apostles themselves, seeing itself as an uninterrupted continuation of the early community rooted in the faith of Moses and the prophets. While Western Christianity developed separately after the Great Schism of 1054 and later subdivided, the Orthodox Church maintained the ancient practices and understandings of the unified, early Church.
This continuity is the bedrock of Church authority. The Orthodox understanding of truth comes directly from what the Son and Word of God revealed, as interpreted by the Holy Apostles and the succession of God-bearing Fathers. By faithfulness to this inheritance, this ensures a continuous chain of teaching that preserves and properly understands the divine truth revealed in Scripture.
Holy Tradition (paradosis) is the framework for this preservation. It is not, as is often misconstrued, a set of human customs competing with the Bible. Rather, as Father Thomas Hopko explained, “Tradition is the very life of the Church itself as it is inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.” It encompasses all the spiritual treasures inherited from our holy ancestors that are in absolute accord with the Holy Scriptures and, crucially, help to understand Holy Scripture rightly. Scripture itself is the crown jewel within this Holy Tradition.
The Bible’s table of contents is not found within its own pages; the canon of 27 New Testament books and the longer Old Testament (based on the Septuagint) was defined by the testimony of Orthodox Tradition, inspired by the same Holy Spirit who inspired the texts themselves. Anyone who accepts a Bible with the Old and New Testaments intact—even if using a truncated canon—nonetheless is leaning on Orthodox Tradition in part for their understanding of what is considered Holy Scripture.
The interpretive principle for this understanding of Tradition was articulated by St. Vincent of Lérins in the 5th century: every care must be taken “to hold fast to what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” This threefold test of universality (the faith of the whole church), antiquity (the faith of our holy ancestors), and consent (the consistent definitions of the councils and teachers) prevents interpretation from drifting into private opinion or the novelties of a specific age.
Listen now on the podcast platform of your choice!
A Symphony of Revelation: The Integrated Sources of Truth
While the Bible holds the preeminent place as the inspired Word of God, it does not stand alone. The Orthodox Church recognizes multiple sources of divine knowledge that work in harmony to create a symphony of faith. Drawing on both Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev and Fr. Thomas Hopko for the following list, these integrated sources are essential for a correct interpretation, and include:
The Liturgical Tradition: Scripture is not just read in Orthodox worship; it is sung, chanted, depicted, and carefully woven into every prayer. The hymns of the Matins service or the Divine Liturgy, carefully chosen for the feasts and seasons of the liturgical calendar, are profound commentaries on the Church’s reading of the Bible. The liturgical cycle itself, especially during intense periods like Lent and Holy Week, brings biblical events into the present, allowing worshipers to participate in them.
The Creeds and Ecumenical Councils: The doctrinal framework established by councils like Nicea, Constantinople, and Chalcedon provides the non-negotiable dogmatic boundaries for faithful interpretation.
The Writings of the Church Fathers: We don’t see the “God-bearing Holy Fathers” like St. John Chrysostom, St. Athanasius the Great, and St. Basil the Great as bygone historical figures but as living teachers and guides. As St. Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of St. John, emphasized, we must read Scripture within the unity of the one Church. The Fathers’ exegesis, sermons, and theological works continue the apostolic practice of guiding the faithful.
The Lives of the Saints: The saints demonstrate Scripture lived out in practice. Their lives are a practical commentary, showing the transformative power of the Gospel.
Sacred Art (Iconography): Icons are rightly called “theology in color.” They are a vital form of visual instruction, inviting the worshiper to enter the biblical narrative spiritually. Studying the details of an icon—the colors, gestures, and composition—reveals deep layers of the Church’s scriptural understanding.
Canonical Tradition: The canons of the Church help apply biblical principles to the ethical and practical dimensions of everyday life.
Even early apocryphal writings, while not considered Scripture, are valued for the historical context they can provide about the early Church’s life and thought. What distinguishes Orthodox interpretation is its holistic integration of all these sources, viewed through the lens of the Church’s collective, living wisdom. (For more on this, check out our recent conversation with Fr. Stephen de Young.)
The Transformative Goal: Beyond Knowledge to Vision
The ultimate goal of Orthodox Bible study is not merely to acquire information but to achieve transformation in Christ—the aim is a mystical encounter with God that leads to a holy life. This pursuit is for theoria—the spiritual vision of God. This is a process that occurs in two stages: first, faith that comes through hearing the Word, and then faith that comes through the vision or experience of God’s presence.
This requires far more than an academic exercise. It demands spiritual preparation. Regular participation in the Church’s sacramental life, personal prayer, fasting, and acts of charity are not optional extras; they create the inner context needed to truly understand Scripture. This ascetic effort—fasting, prayer, and holy living—wipes clean the lenses of the soul, allowing for a clearer vision of God’s truth. One must become a pure vessel to receive divine grace.
Therefore, an authentic biblical interpretation requires a multi-layered approach:
Begin with Prayer: Always ask the Holy Spirit for guidance before reading.
Read Contemplatively: Use slow, meditative methods like Lectio Divina (reading, meditation, prayer, contemplation) to inwardly digest the text and connect it to daily life.
Study in Community: Avoid reading in mere isolation. Participate in parish Bible studies and learn from the insights of others. Seek guidance from experienced spiritual teachers and priests, especially through your in-person community.
Use Trusted Resources: The Orthodox Study Bible is an indispensable resource, providing commentary from the Fathers alongside a complete Orthodox biblical text.
Other invaluable tools include the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, the writings of the Fathers themselves (many of which are available online or in sets like the 37-volume Early Church Fathers), and works by sound contemporary theologians like Fr. Stephen De Young and Fr. Lawrence Farley.
Live the Liturgy: Pay close attention to the daily readings provided by lectionaries (available on various Orthodox calendar apps, as well as heard in services) and the rich interpretations found in the Church’s hymns and prayers.
To read the Bible as an Orthodox Christian is to embark on a communal and holistic journey. It is to engage Scripture through the Church’s liturgical, theological, and historical tradition, understanding that the text has layers of meaning—literal, typological, moral, and anagogical (or spiritual interpretation). It is a commitment to not only study the ongoing story of God’s love for humanity but, through His grace, to find our own place within His eternal plan of salvation.
Prefer to listen on YouTube? Here you go!