During 50 years of intensive Bible study, I have purchased and read hundreds of commentaries to help me interpret scripture. I rely on translations by scholars who know more Hebrew and Greek than I do. I consult men’s and women’s researched insights into the historic context to correct modern misinterpretations. I edit quotes to improve carefully crafted sermons for life today.

I am selective about which commentaries I read. I don’t use christian nationalist commentaries that alter the Bible to spew division, distrust, racism, fear of “the other”, and patriarchy to gain political power. If I had a Herod commentary (Jesus called Herod “that FOX”) I’d never trust it after it paid ¾ of a billion dollars for lying about “dominion” to keep its audience.

I choose to read commentaries that have rigorous editing, fact-checking, and bias-reduction before they are published. Thus I watched all of the Jan. 6 committee’s sworn testimony, interviews, and documents by life-long republicans who voted for and worked for a president they proved planned for months to illegally (and violently) steal an election he knew he lost fairly. I read “Oath and Honor” by Liz Cheney, “Enough” by Cassidy Hutchison, and “Too Much and Never Enough” by Mary Trump.

I am inspired by a Bible commentary writer’s lifetime of service to God. So I listen to 45’s longest serving chief of staff, Marine General John Kelly’s dire warning to our nation on tape. I believe the 20^th Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley seriously describes words and actions that are fascist. As military officers they are not political unless the constitution they’ve sworn an oath to protect and defend is threatened.

I read the Bible itself before and after reading a commentary. The original source is always best. I believe the source before others try to correct, explain, or justify his lies, threats, and actions. When he says I use my power to sexually assault women, it’s rigged only if I lose, one day of all-out violence will end dissension, I’ll shut down news outlets I don’t like, and I’ll use the military on American citizens who challenge my reign… I believe the source.

What sources do you use to enhance your journey in life? How do you determine which commentaries to trust? When have you observed the unfiltered original source?