Well, my intention to resurrect my programmatic reading of Scripture has foundered on the rocks of reconsideration. The problem is that in my intuition, first, of the value of pursuing the theme of obligation, and then, in my second formulation, of pursuing the theme of self-sacrifice, I have merely been clumsily approaching the issue of God’s radical relationality—a subject which I considered inadequately explored only because of my youthful ignorance. The great thing about youthful ignorance is how inexorably it is corrected. I was saved the trouble of my hypothetical-theological reading when Walter Bruegemann helpfully pointed out in his Old Testament theology how Walther Eichrodt first broached the subject of God’s relationality (in terms of covenant) as a constant in the Old Testament and how Jurgen Moltmann evidently greatly enlarged and radicalized this idea. I’ll familiarize myself with this trajectory before attempting my own Scripture reading experiment along those lines. Why reinvent the wheel?
This retraction of my plan, however, forces me to make new plans for the New Year’s Bible-reading. I still want a themed rather than merely consecutive reading… But what theme?
Here we go:
1. The after effects of adulterous-sex on men.
2. Relationship between father-daughter.
3. The place of birds in redemptive history.
4. Dancing.
5. Parent-child education.
Three is my favorite.