Anna Carter Florence teaches preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary, but besides drawing on traditional preaching methods, she harkens back to her days studying theater. In Rehearsing Scripture: Discovering God's Word in Community, she describes and models her method of community scripture reading. Just as actors read a script together, Florence calls on Christians to read scripture together, aloud, in character, and including movement and even staging.

I know, it sounds awkward, right? If all you normally do is read alone, or perhaps in a group where one person reads, Florence's method is a huge paradigm shift. But what she describes has the potential to establish the truths and demands of scripture more deeply into our hearts, minds, and actions. "When we read Scripture as a community, we're doing the same that musicians do at band practice, or singers do at choir practice, or actors do in rehearsal: going through the script and practicing ways to play it."

A starting place is focusing on the verbs. Many nouns in the Bible are unfamiliar, whether names, places, measures, tools, or other dated references. But "reading the verbs in Scripture allows us to talk about what we know, first--before we plunge into the mysteries of all that keeps us wondering."

I can see Florence's methods being very effective and having a great impact--with the right group. It would take strong leadership to direct the readings, and lots of patience and willingness on the part of the participants. The good news is that she does provide a great deal of guidance, so that someone wanting to coordinate rehearsing scripture with a group can get a head start by following her lead. I could see this method dovetailing nicely with something like Discovery Bible Study, a method of Bible study that has been used effectively by InterVarsity, Cru, and other groups to introduce the Bible to seekers and new believers.

Florence's method is unique, and many readers of the Bible will be uncomfortable with it, especially as they first try it. But I can definitely see it being useful and effective. Any means to bring the Bible to life and deepen its role and meaning in our lives is worth pursuing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

The colorful cover as well as the concept of “rehearsing” God’s word intrigued me. I soon found out that author Anna Carter Florence, Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary, means to have worshipers rehearse Scripture together within the context of a group. Applying techniques from theater and drama, she shows how to energize oft-heard spiritual wisdom and to enhance its use in our daily lives. 5/5

Grateful to NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for an advance copy. Opinions are mine.

#RehearsingScripture #NetGalley

The author presents an intriguing way to read biblical texts that might work for lay audiences. However, it is not a good resource for those engaging in the critical interpretation of biblical texts. Given the focus on "verbs" and "nouns," the approach is based on translations of the text. Thus, the "rehearsing of scripture" would be different if another translation was chosen. The book might work well for church bible study groups, particularly a repertory group.