Become New with John Ortberg
Join John Ortberg each day for 10 minutes of spiritual guidance on the person we are becoming.
Become New with John Ortberg
42. You Might Be Reading the Bible Wrong...
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What if you’ve been reading the Bible… the wrong way?
In this episode, John shares three unexpected tools for giving up condemnation:
- lighten up
- bring your shadow (your own capacity for failure)
- read everything in the shadow of the cross
Drawing on insights from Phillip Cary and the story of Jonah, John challenges a common habit: reading ourselves as the “good” characters while judging everyone else.
Instead, we’re invited to identify with the ones who get it wrong.
You’ll learn:
- why moralistic Bible reading fuels judgment
- how humor and humility can disarm condemnation
- what it means to “bring your shadow
- how the cross reshapes the way we see others
- why identifying with failure leads to freedom
Because the goal isn’t to prove we’re better than Jonah…
It’s to realize we’re not.
And that’s where grace begins.
And there is now no condemnation.
📚 Today's Resources:
Phillip Cary — commentary on Jonah
Classical references (via philosophy of literature): tragedy vs. satire/tabloid framing
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Music Credits:
Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0
Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO