A Skater’s Journey to Faith and the Bible
The speaker, Tim, began his teenage years focused on skateboarding with no real goals. However, an outreach ministry for skateboarders in Portland, Oregon—founded by a Christian professional skater—introduced him to Jesus. This community showed him a version of Christianity centered on love, scripture, and shared life. Tim’s curiosity about the Bible grew, especially after being asked to teach junior high kids, even though he had never read the Bible before.

Academic Exploration and Passion for Scripture
This curiosity led him to attend Bible college and later pursue graduate studies, diving deep into the Bible’s history and origins. He studied biblical languages and eventually earned a PhD focused on the manuscript history of the Hebrew Bible, particularly the book of Ezekiel. Along the way, he discovered how rich and complex the Bible is—not just a divine book, but a deeply human one as well.

Starting the Bible Project
Tim reconnected with an old skateboarding friend, John, who had developed animation skills. Together, they founded The Bible Project, a platform that creates short, animated videos to explain the Bible’s themes and stories. Their goal was to make scripture more accessible and compelling for modern audiences.

Paradigm Shifts in Understanding the Bible
Tim explains that a “paradigm” is like a mental lens or framework we use to view the world. As he studied the Bible more deeply, many of his assumptions were challenged—for example, he learned that ancient biblical manuscripts show more variation than he’d been taught, and that biblical texts often evolved over time through careful editorial changes, not divine dictation.

The Bible as Divine and Human Literature
One of Tim’s core beliefs is that the Bible is both divine and human—just as Jesus is both God and man. Biblical authors were active participants in writing, not just passive channels. This perspective helped him see the Bible’s complexity not as a threat to faith, but as a reflection of how God works through human beings.

A Unified, Messianic Story
Tim emphasizes that the Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus. Understanding it as a narrative—not a rulebook or encyclopedia—helps readers make sense of confusing parts. He likens misuse of the Bible to using a hammer the wrong way—it’s still a tool, but it’s not being used for its intended purpose.

The Bible as Meditation Literature
He also views the Bible as “meditation literature”—designed for repeated reading and reflection. Its puzzles and poetic patterns are intentional, meant to shape the reader’s mind and character over time. This connects deeply with ancient Jewish reading practices and helps modern readers experience personal and spiritual growth.

Healing Through the Biblical Story
Finally, Tim believes that even for people who carry “Bible baggage” (due to spiritual trauma or bad experiences), understanding the Bible as a profound, complex story can be healing. Instead of abandoning the Bible, engaging with it in a responsible, well-informed way can restore trust and open new doors of faith.