In Shira Wolosky’s article “Women’s Bibles: Biblical Interpretation in Nineteenth-Century American Women’s Poetry”, she examines the complex way in which biblical interpretation can both reassert conservative tradition and simultaneously protest it. Instead of just throwing the bible out, people try to rework the bible in a way that aligns with their social and political agenda. This practice speaks to the undeniably influential place the bible holds in American culture. By continuing the conversation surrounding the bible, its importance is reaffirmed.
At this point, there isn’t a question about whether the bible is influential or important in our society. We’ve seen the bible invoked in politics and reimagined in many different mediums. The wide variety of interpretations people put forth and how these interpretations are used in furthering different ideologies is very interesting. People with significantly different beliefs use the same text as a source for their convictions. It seems to me that this discrepancy points to the complexities and contradictions within the text itself. The bible does not have one unified message, so it makes sense that those who read it will draw different conclusions from the text.
Because the bible lacks a singular message, it is natural for people to try and simplify things to support an overarching theme of their choice. I am reminded of a post from earlier this semester on reinventingthebible.com that displayed a graphic titled “Bible Emergency Numbers”. In this graphic a scenario is presented and solved with a bible verse. For example, “when you feel down and out” you should read Romans 8:31-39. To whoever created this graphic, the bible serves as a source for advice. This simplistic approach to the bible diminishes what the bible is in its entirety to what an individual wants it to be.
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