I love reading. I grew up with books starting when my sister came home from school and decided she would teach her younger brother to read. My wife is an English teacher who became passionate about reading when a teacher gave her “To kill a Mocking bird”. This means we have a vested interest in seeing high literacy, especially as I’ve got some potential book projects ahead. I therefore have some sympathy with Karen Soole here.
However, whilst I think literacy is a good thing, I don’t share her pessimism. There are a few reason why. First let’s take the example of Mary and her knowledge of Hannah’s song. It is possible that Mary was literate given her relationship with Elizabeth and Zechariah points to her at least being in part from a priestly line(the tribe of Levi) and thus may make the possibility that she could read plausible. However literacy in an oral culture isn’t necessary. Rather, people would often memorize Scripture they heard and spoke together regularly.
Secondly, whilst Soole talks about the ability to read complex texts, one of the things that struck me when I first learned Biblical Hebrew was how simple the language structure was. In fact it was that simplicity of syntax that led to beautiful creativity employed to make complex points.
Thirdly, for most of history the fact is that literacy rates have been much lower throughout history than they have in recent years. This neither hindered the development of philosophy or theology nor the passing on of a deep and lively faith through the reading if Scripture designed to be read allowed, preaching and catechising. What has also been seen historically is that whenever people become Christians from less literate backgrounds they often desire to improve their own reading ability out of hunger for God’s word.
Fourth, my recent experience would be that it is possible to engage in a rich and deep way with the Bible and theology orally. In fact part of what we offer here on Faithroots is that option through the YouTube channel.
Finally, it is important to remember that God’s Word does not ask us to read generally or command us to read the Bible specifically. We are commanded to meditate on it.
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