As someone who has had many conversations about faith and the Bible with friends, family, and strangers alike, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate these discussions in today's society. We live in a world where people hold a wide range of beliefs and opinions, and it can be challenging to express our own views without coming across as intolerant or judgmental.

I also recognize that there are many different interpretations of the Bible, and that people's beliefs about God can shape their understanding of the text in unique and often conflicting ways. As a person of faith myself, I've struggled with reconciling my own beliefs with those of others, and I've seen firsthand how these differences can cause tension and misunderstanding in relationships.

 That's why I wrote this blog post. I wanted to address the challenges of navigating conversations about faith and interpreting the Bible in today's society, and to offer some practical tips and personal anecdotes to help guide these discussions towards more productive and meaningful outcomes.

I believe that by approaching these conversations with humility, openness, and respect for others' beliefs and experiences, we can deepen our understanding of the Bible and build stronger relationships with others, even if we don't always agree. I hope that this post will be helpful for those who are struggling to engage in these conversations, and that it will inspire readers to approach these discussions with love and compassion, just as we are called to do as Christians. 

If I haven’t lost you yet, let’s get started!

I was adopted at birth and never knew anything about my biological parents. It wasn't until I was 40 years old that I finally met my birth father, a man who I later found out was a devout Mormon. As we sat down to talk, I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. Growing up, I had always heard that Mormons were a cult and that they didn't believe in Jesus like "real" Christians did. I had never met a Mormon before and had a lot of preconceived ideas about what they were like. But as we talked, I realized that my assumptions couldn't have been further from the truth. We’ve since had many wonderful conversations and one thing he’s always said that helped me lean in and listen more was a simple statement. “But I could be wrong.” It is in that spirit of humility that I write this entire blog.

"Have you heard the one about the atheist who went to church? Neither has she!"

Navigating conversations about faith and interpreting the Bible can be especially challenging in today's society. With the rise of social media and the internet, we are constantly bombarded with different opinions and worldviews, many of which are at odds with our own. It can be difficult to know how to engage with those who have different beliefs without being seen as judgmental or intolerant.

Moreover, the current cultural climate places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and tolerance. While these are important values, they can sometimes make it difficult to discuss matters of faith, which often involve deeply held beliefs and values. People may be hesitant to express their opinions for fear of offending or being labeled as close-minded or intolerant.

In addition, the Dunning-Kruger effect can further complicate these conversations. If we overestimate our own knowledge and underestimate that of others, we may be less receptive to alternative perspectives or interpretations of the Bible. This can make it challenging to have productive and meaningful conversations with others who have different views.

Overall, navigating conversations about faith and interpreting the Bible in today's society requires a delicate balance of open-mindedness, humility, and respect for others' beliefs and experiences. We must be willing to listen to different perspectives and engage in productive dialogue without compromising our own beliefs or values.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a psychological bias where people overestimate their knowledge or abilities in a particular area while underestimating the knowledge or abilities of others. When it comes to interpreting the Bible, this effect can be especially prevalent, as we may have preconceived notions about God that color our understanding of the text.

"Remember the time your friend tried to explain string theory to you, and you nodded along, pretending you understood everything? That's the Dunning-Kruger effect in action!"

It's important to recognize that we all have biases and that these biases can influence how we read and interpret the Bible. For example, if we see God as a loving and merciful father, we may interpret certain passages as evidence of his compassion and grace, while ignoring passages that seem to contradict this view. Conversely, if we see God as a wrathful and demanding tyrant, we may interpret the same passages as evidence of his power and authority, while ignoring passages that suggest a more compassionate view.

To avoid falling victim to the Dunning-Kruger effect when engaging in conversations about faith and the Bible, it's important to approach these conversations with humility and a willingness to learn from others. Rather than assuming that we have all the answers, we should seek out different perspectives and interpretations of the text. We should also be open to changing our views if new evidence or insights challenge our preconceptions.

Additionally, it's important to approach these conversations with love and respect for our friends and fellow believers. Even if we don't always agree with their views, we should strive to treat them with kindness and compassion, recognizing that we all have our own biases and struggles. By approaching these conversations with humility, openness, and love, we can deepen our understanding of the Bible and build meaningful relationships with others, even if we don't always see eye-to-eye.

The story of the Good Samaritan is a powerful illustration of the dangers of our biases and prejudices. It teaches us to look beyond our differences and see the humanity in others, even when they may be strangers or perceived as outcasts.

I was reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan during a mission trip I took to a remote village in Africa. As we were walking through the village, we saw a man lying on the side of the road, clearly in pain. The locals just walked by, ignoring him. I asked our guide why no one was helping him, and he said, "Oh, he's just a drunk. He does this all the time." My heart sank. Here was a man in obvious need, and yet he was being dismissed because of his reputation.

As Christians, we are called to show love and compassion to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us of this truth and challenges us to examine our own biases and prejudices.

One of the things that struck me about the story of the Good Samaritan was how unexpected it was. The Samaritan, who would have been considered an outcast by the Jewish community, was the one who showed compassion and love to the man in need. It was a powerful reminder that God's love knows no boundaries and that we should never judge someone based on their background or circumstances.

This story has impacted my own faith journey in many ways. It has reminded me to look beyond my own biases and preconceived ideas about others and to approach everyone with love and compassion. It has also taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and being willing to help those in need, even when it may be inconvenient or uncomfortable.

The story of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful example of how our understanding of God can shape our interpretation of the Bible. Depending on one's view of God, this story can be seen as a test of faith or as a cruel and unjustifiable act.

For me, as a person of faith, this story has always been a difficult one to grapple with. Growing up, I was taught that God was loving and merciful, and that he had a plan for each of us. But when I first encountered the story of Abraham and Isaac, I was deeply troubled by the idea that God would ask a father to sacrifice his own son.

At first, I struggled to reconcile my understanding of God as a loving and merciful father with the seemingly cruel and arbitrary command that he had given to Abraham. It wasn't until I began to explore different interpretations of the story and engage in conversations with others that I was able to see the story in a different light.

Through these conversations, I came to see the story of Abraham and Isaac as a test of faith and obedience, but also as a reminder of God's love and mercy. The fact that God ultimately spared Isaac shows that he is a God of compassion and that he rewards those who have faith in him.

Overall, the story of Abraham and Isaac has taught me the importance of approaching the Bible with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others. It has also shown me the power of different interpretations and perspectives, and how they can shape our understanding of God and the world around us.

In conclusion, navigating conversations about faith and the Bible can be challenging, especially in today's society where political correctness and "woke" culture can create tension and disagreement. However, by approaching these conversations with humility, openness, and respect, we can deepen our understanding of the text and build meaningful relationships with others, even if we don't always agree.

We must also be mindful of the Dunning-Kruger effect and recognize how our biases and preconceptions can influence our interpretation of the Bible. Seeking out different perspectives and approaching conversations with love and compassion can help us avoid this trap and grow in our understanding of the text.

The story of the Good Samaritan challenges us to look beyond our biases and prejudices and show compassion and love to others, regardless of their background or circumstances. Similarly, the story of Abraham and Isaac reminds us that our interpretation of the Bible can be influenced by our view of God, and that it's important to be open to different perspectives and interpretations.

So, let us approach conversations about faith and the Bible with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others. By doing so, we can build stronger relationships, deepen our understanding of the text, and work towards a more just and compassionate world. Remember, as Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and this includes engaging in meaningful conversations and seeking to understand each other better.

• Have you ever had a difficult conversation with someone about faith or the Bible? What made it challenging?

• How do you approach conversations about faith and the Bible with people who have different beliefs than your own?