Sharon Kinsey's Reflections

One of the great joys of my life has been leading the Wednesday morning Faithful Friends Bible study. We gather together to pray, sing, tell stories, laugh…it is a wonderful hour of fellowship and community. Most importantly, we lean in on the Scripture passages that are our focus of the day. There are two times each year when Trish and I get together to find meaningful shorter studies that we can complete in a timely way. It’s a bit more complicated than perusing the Advent, Lenten, and first studies of the year that are offered in the PCUSA bookstore. Sometimes members of the group make suggestions which is precisely what happened with our next study that will take us through to February 18th when we will begin a study called Pause: Spending Lent with the Psalms by Elizabeth Caldwell. 

In the meantime, our group will be reading and studying chapters from a book called Hidden Women of the Gospels by Kathy Coffey. It gives us a look at a few behind-the-scenes characters from the Gospels that provide insight into issues in spirituality for women, and helps us confront some of the challenges that scripture presents. Coffey has authored 13 books and has taught for 15 years at the University of Colorado in Denver and Regis Jesuit University. 

One of the benefits of leading a Bible study for me, is that I learn so much. I am by no means a theologian, a Biblical scholar, or prolific reader of religious books and articles. But I am a life-long Presbyterian and a seeker. I spend time each day reflecting on the particular devotion I am in the midst of. When I have questions, I dig in. So when Coffey used the term Midrash in the first chapter, a term I’d never heard before, it was time to “dig in.” Midrash is a term of Hebrew origin, a process of interpretation by which rabbis filled in “gaps” found in the Torah. It is considered an interpretive act which seeks the answers to religious questions that are both theological and practical.

Coffey begins each chapter by telling the story of a fictional character who just might have appeared in the Bible. This part is written in first person. I found it easy to put myself into the story that is being told…I could see things through the eyes of another woman. It is important to remember that the Bible is foundational, canonical text (scripture). Midrash is a vast body of Jewish rabbinic literature that interprets, explains, and expands upon the Bible (particularly the Torah). Midrash is commentary, but not scripture! Another way to look at this technique is to view the Bible itself as source material, while Midrash is creative and detailed. Scholars say it explores the “how” and “why” behind the stories in the Bible while weaving in ethical lessons. It is fascinating to me. Our first character, Susanna, is a shepherd!

The second part of each chapter uses modern examples - readers are free to find “parallel patterns” and themes which might be repeated in our own lives. Does this sound intriguing to you? Why not join Faithful Friends on Wednesday at 10:00 in Room 101 and see what Midrash is all about.