From a liturgical-devotional reading to the contextual reading of the Bible

Abstract

Devotional reading, inserted in a liturgical or devotional horizon that is characteristic of it, allows us to detect both strengths and new possibilities of its reading. In this sense, taking the possibilities of devotional reading, the intention is to propose a contextual reading of the Bible from three considerations: (1) the condition of the common reader —which is own of each believer who reads the biblical text—; (2) the perspective of the biblical text, as it was written, which demands to be read in community; and, (3) finally, take into account the reality experienced by the subjects who approach it, in such a way that the text illuminates the context. The methodology used is qualitative, based on the critical analysis of discourse made the review of the discursive structures of eight devotionals and the analysis of the perception of those who read such texts, through open and closed inquest.