Dr. BJ Condrey

Sometimes I wish I could read the Gospels for the very first time—no background, no assumptions, no doctrines tucked away in my mind. Imagine never having heard the name of Jesus, never having seen a Bible, never even knowing what Christianity is. Just encountering the story fresh, without the weight of a lifetime’s interpretations.

I’m certain that some of what I believe is true, some is incomplete, and some needs to be reshaped. Starting from scratch would let the text speak with a surprising newness, cutting through everything I’ve absorbed and assumed. Oh, how I wish I could meet Jesus on those pages with the wonder of a first encounter.

Lately I’ve been wondering which translation of Scripture might help me recover even a hint of that first-time feeling. Currently, I am reading through the Bible again using my Dad’s Bible. But when I am done, I may try something really different. It’s so easy for Jesus to become the worldview I cherish, the doctrines I enjoy studying, or the ministries I’m involved in at church. All good things—but none of them is the same as simply encountering him.

I just can’t imagine picking up the Gospels of the first time and reading about Jesus. I wish I could.

What would it be like?

How would I respond intellectually?

Would I be happy?

Would I feel sad?

Would it seem silly?

Would I be intrigued?

Would I like him?

Would I hate him?

Anyway, I don’t know.

But I long.

I pray.

Even now, Lord, who are you?

What are you willing to show me?