Preconceptions About Passages

How much of what we think about a passage is actually coming from the text, and how much is coming from us? This article looks afresh at three familiar passages: the parable of the Prodigal Son, Paul’s letter to Philemon, and the Great Commission. It shows how titles, tradition, our social context and the understandings of others before us can colour, and even distort, what we hear. We will always bring preconceptions; the only protection is to bring humility too, and to recognise that discipleship is a path of learning and discovery.