Is video better?

When approaching the Bible, it’s vital to realize what cultural assumptions we do not share with the audience it was written to. For instance, raised on newspapers and , we Westerners think that the most important truth is the simple reproduction of whatever happened. Thus, when we read the Bible, we’re first and foremost interested in knowing the facts of the case.

The reality is that they were much more concerned with the significances than with the facts. There was simply no felt need to put a premium on accuracy if instead small changes would better serve to bring out meaning. Like painters each portraying their subject differently, Bible authors are interested in revelation, not mere replication.

That’s why when two or more of them, all inspired by the Holy Spirit, quote Jesus differently, they’re doing it to bring out more truth not less. Unfortunately, we always want to ask, “But what did He really say?” when we should instead be asking, “But what did He really mean?” a question presumably better answered by their artwork than by a mere reproduction.