This episode of the Faith Together podcast features a conversation between Dr. Leon Blanchette, Lindsey Bush, and Dr. Mark Frisius on studying the Bible with a focus on literary context. Dr. Frisius emphasizes the importance of understanding the type of writing in the Bible, such as letters or ancient biographies, and how different genres should be interpreted. He explains that reading scripture through the lens of its literary context helps avoid misunderstandings, especially when dealing with poetic or figurative language.

The hosts explore how different literary genres affect the interpretation of the Bible, noting how failing to recognize these differences can lead to misinterpretations. Dr. Frisius compares it to reading poetry as history or vice versa, which distorts the message. He stresses that much of the Bible is written in a way that uses figurative or symbolic language, making it crucial for readers to discern the deeper meanings intended by the authors, particularly given the cultural and historical differences.

In addition to discussing genres, the episode covers practical tips for reading the Bible, such as the "outward expanding circles" method, where readers start with a verse, then examine its surrounding context, and progressively work up to understanding the entire book. The discussion highlights the importance of not imposing personal interpretations on scripture and the value of studying the Bible in community with others to gain a more accurate understanding.