The Bible is not a book of magic words. It’s a collection of works—historical accounts, songs, prophecies, letters, and other writings—that describe God’s character and actions over time. Savvy Bible reading stays faithful to authors’ purposes and to the heart of the God who inspired them. In this post, I offer five tips for accurate Bible interpretation.

Jesus spent a lot of time with marginalized people—those whom society sees as too different to be included—and he taught us to do the same. But how do you make a real connection with marginalized people if you’re not a marginalized person yourself? Here are a few reflections on bridging the divide with people who are not like us.