Why Read the Old Testament? (and How to Read those Dark Passages)

Do you struggle to find God’s love in the Old Testament or to understand the difficult “dark passages”? Kelly Anderson offers compelling reasons to read the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. She and Sarah Christmyer also discuss Jael and Judith, two biblical heroines who kill their enemies. Kelly also shares the verse she considers the blueprint of her life.

Kelly Anderson chairs the Department of Sacred Scripture at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she is on the Board of Trustees. She earned a doctorate from Catholic University, a licentiate in sacred scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Kelly contributed the Introduction to the Old Testament and essays on Ruth and Judith for the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible and is author of the commentary on James for the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture.

Take Kelly’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today.

Read the Word: Psalm 73:25–28, especially verse 28 

(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes.)

Whom have I in heaven but you? 
    And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you. 

My flesh and my heart may fail, 
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  

 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; 
     you put an end to those who are false to you. 
But for me it is good to be near God; 
    I have made the Lord God my refuge, 
    that I may tell of all your works. 

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. Notice both the imperatives (what the Psalmist says to do) and the promised results. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you?

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?