Memorizing Scripture

One of the things that I try to do is memorize chunks of the Bible. Once you do this, you realize the degree to which scripture was intended to be read out loud, almost recited like lines in a script. When you read scripture, even out loud, it tends to be a little monotone, and even when you add inflection and variation to your voice, it still becomes something very programmed. But when you try to let the verse flow through you naturally, when you try to speak the words without the book in front of you, the end result is astonishing. A three-dimensional world is created, and you start putting emphases in different places and for different reasons. This opens up the text, and makes it come alive. Moreover, it helps you realize the degree to which interpretation is all about how one hears the text. If you emphasize or express one emotion at one point, you experience the passage completely differently than when you emphasize the same way at a different point in the passage. This cannot be done when one proof-texts, entire chapters must be absorbed for you to get the full effect.

We often forget that this is how scripture was originally approached. Entire Gospels were likely recited at early Church gatherings. Taking the scripture as a whole, but approaching it from a memorization point of view really gives you the best of both worlds. You get the pure verbalization of the more conservative proof texting but also the holistic encounter with scripture found in mainline denominations. I highly recommend this practice.