Why Our Approach to Scripture Matters

Blog Post: Exploring “Because” – Why Our Approach to Scripture Matters

In the latest episode of To Be snd Do, titled “Because,” host Phillip Amerson invites listeners into a thoughtful conversation about why and how we engage with scripture in our daily lives. Through an honest, approachable reflection, Phil explores not only the “why” behind reading sacred texts but also offers guidance on how to interpret them with depth and care. Here’s a look at three key takeaways from his insightful message.

1. Scriptures Are a Library, Not a Rulebook

One of Phil’s most powerful reminders is that the Bible—and by extension, all sacred texts—aren’t simply collections of rigid rules or instant remedies for life’s challenges. He shares, “The scriptures are not written as a rule book or as a spiritual remedy collection. Scriptures are a library with many different kinds of books written by people over the ages and in various formats. There is poetry, there is history, there is the opportunity for song and for sermon and for prophecy.”
This perspective encourages curious, open-minded exploration rather than checkbox spirituality. Approaching the scriptures as a diverse, dynamic library opens us to a fuller, richer experience of faith.

2. Context is Everything: Don’t Misuse Scripture

Phil offers a candid critique of how scriptural phrases can be misunderstood or misapplied, especially when taken out of context. He recounts hearing a young man on TV incorrectly referencing Jesus’s teaching about “turning the other cheek,” implying it was about retribution. Phil points out, “That’s not what Jesus said about turning the cheek at all. It’s not about retribution. It’s about when someone is abusive or betraying you, the response isn’t to fight back. It is to turn the other cheek.”
He gives another example about misusing, “the rain falls on the just and the unjust.” Many use it to accept hardship without complaint, but Phil highlights its original context—rain was a blessing in arid lands, meaning good things come to all, not just the righteous.
Through these examples, Phil underscores the importance of reading and reflecting on scripture personally, rather than relying solely on secondhand interpretations.

3. The Call to Ongoing Engagement and Personal Reflection

Rather than prescribing exactly what or how to read, Phil encourages the habit of consistent, honest engagement with scripture. “Read a little bit. The Gospel of John, the second chapter talks a bit about Jesus turning water into wine. And then it goes on in that, in that story, in that second chapter to share about what it means to be a person of faith in this world.”
He doesn’t simply tell his audience what to believe or conclude but invites us all into a journey—wrestling with meaning, asking tough questions, and letting the text challenge and inspire us.

Final Thoughts

This episode of To Be snd Do offers a gentle, yet profound reminder that living as people of faith is not about quick answers or simple formulas. As Phil Amerson so thoughtfully models, it’s about engaging scripture as a living library, rooted in context, and always open to what it can teach us next. If you’re seeking to deepen your relationship with scripture or simply want a fresh perspective, this “Because” moment is well worth your time.