From Curiosity to Calling

Pete Enns began seriously engaging with the Bible after college, realizing that although he had grown up in Christian settings, he didn’t fully understand what he believed. This sparked a journey that led him through seminary and into doctoral work. His passion was driven by a desire to truly understand Scripture—and that understanding ultimately transformed his faith.

Discovering the Bible’s Historical Context

During graduate studies, Pete had a major realization: the Bible shares many traits with other ancient texts. This raised important questions—how unique is the Bible? How should its similarities with ancient myths shape our interpretation?

Further studies with Jewish scholars deepened Pete’s perspective. He saw that the ways Jesus and Paul interpreted Scripture were rooted in Jewish tradition. They read the Bible creatively, in conversation with their heritage. This insight challenged Pete’s previous assumptions and opened up a more dynamic way of understanding the Bible.

The Power of Interpretation

One profound lesson Pete learned was that the Bible’s significance doesn’t come solely from the words on the page, but from how faith communities have interpreted and reinterpreted those words over time. His Jewish professors taught him to read closely, to value the original Hebrew, and to understand that interpretation is central to how the Bible lives on.

Incarnation as a Lens

In his book Inspiration and Incarnation, Pete introduces a helpful analogy: the Bible is like Jesus—both divine and human. Just as Jesus was fully human and fully divine, the Bible is inspired yet deeply human, shaped by culture, language, and history. This analogy allows space for the Bible’s contradictions and complexities without undermining its spiritual authority.

Embracing the Bible’s Diversity

Pete sees the Bible’s internal diversity—different laws, conflicting viewpoints, and theological debates—as a strength, not a flaw. Rather than a tidy rulebook, Scripture models how people have wrestled with God over time. For example, laws about slavery differ across Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus, reflecting evolving understandings of justice.

Similarly, the Book of Job challenges retribution theology—a dominant theme in other books—by portraying a blameless man who suffers unjustly and questions God. In the end, God affirms Job’s honesty over his friends’ rigid theological reasoning.

A Bible That Invites Wrestling

This complexity invites readers not just to follow commands but to participate in a conversation. Pete encourages approaching the Bible as a wisdom text—one that shapes us through engagement and discernment rather than certainty.

He recalls Jewish traditions where passionate, even loud debates over Scripture are viewed as acts of worship. Wrestling with the Bible, he says, is not a lack of faith—it is faith in action.

Letting Faith Evolve

Pete emphasizes that faith must be open to growth. Life experiences—including personal events and societal change—can challenge long-held beliefs. Rather than seeing this as a threat, Pete views it as an opportunity for deeper understanding. He believes God is present in the uncertainty, inviting us to rethink and rediscover.

Biblical Authority, Redefined

For Pete, biblical authority isn’t about top-down commands. It’s about how the Bible shapes lives, challenges assumptions, and reveals truth—even if imperfectly. Like a great story, Scripture has the power to inspire courage, love, and transformation.

He notes that interpretations that fail to reflect love or good news should be re-examined. Quoting Augustine, he suggests that interpretations lacking love likely miss the point.

Teaching the Next Generation

Pete is passionate about helping children grow into a faith that allows for curiosity and complexity. He and his daughter are intentionally guiding the next generation without burdening them with fear-based religion. His upcoming children’s Bible aims to foster wonder and honest conversation, not just provide answers.

Finding Community in Change

Changing beliefs can lead to a sense of isolation. Pete advises seeking out communities—like the one formed around The Bible for Normal People—that welcome questions and doubts. For some, this may involve leaving old church spaces to find new ones that make room for spiritual evolution.

Conclusion

Pete Enns offers a refreshing take on the Bible: one rooted in history, open to tension, and rich with meaning. He models how honest engagement with Scripture can deepen faith, even when it leads to unexpected places. The Bible, he reminds us, isn’t just about finding answers—it’s about being part of an ancient, ongoing conversation.