Comments on: Reading Scripture - Important or hard to do consistently? http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/08/25/reading-scripture-important-or-hard-to-do-consistently/ Worship God, Love People, Restore Creation Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:38:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Alicia http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/08/25/reading-scripture-important-or-hard-to-do-consistently/#comment-416 Alicia Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:15:33 +0000 http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/08/25/reading-scripture-important-or-hard-to-do-consistently/#comment-416 I agree with Elaine. Learning how to read the Bible is essential. (We're offering a class on that this Fall...so this is especially timely.) But I think understanding why Jesus feels it is important is necessary, too. The Bible is a primary way that God communicates with us about Himself. If we say we're followers of Christ, then that suggests that we want to know more of Him and more about Him. The Bible is the primary tool He has provided to us for exactly that purpose. Are there parts that are hard to understand? Of course. But, there are many that aren't. Love your neighbor. I will never leave nor forsake you. There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out all fear. And, even some of those harder to understand parts (can anyone say, "Revelation"?) are pretty amazing to read with any level of understanding. Are there boring parts? (Sorry, God.) There are parts that are boring to me. Really, I usually couldn't care less about who begat whom. But, there are parts of the Old Testament that would rival Steven King (search for Jael on Biblegateway.com) or Danielle Steel (Song of Solomon.) I think a major key is that we never read the Bible alone. If believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, then as we read God's Word, His Spirit knows what the heck it all means. He makes it possible for us to see things we've never noticed before, understand stuff that never made sense and make connections we've missed in the past. It's not drugery; it's adventure. I agree with Elaine. Learning how to read the Bible is essential. (We’re offering a class on that this Fall…so this is especially timely.) But I think understanding why Jesus feels it is important is necessary, too. The Bible is a primary way that God communicates with us about Himself. If we say we’re followers of Christ, then that suggests that we want to know more of Him and more about Him. The Bible is the primary tool He has provided to us for exactly that purpose.

Are there parts that are hard to understand? Of course. But, there are many that aren’t. Love your neighbor. I will never leave nor forsake you. There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out all fear. And, even some of those harder to understand parts (can anyone say, “Revelation”?) are pretty amazing to read with any level of understanding.

Are there boring parts? (Sorry, God.) There are parts that are boring to me. Really, I usually couldn’t care less about who begat whom. But, there are parts of the Old Testament that would rival Steven King (search for Jael on Biblegateway.com) or Danielle Steel (Song of Solomon.)

I think a major key is that we never read the Bible alone. If believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, then as we read God’s Word, His Spirit knows what the heck it all means. He makes it possible for us to see things we’ve never noticed before, understand stuff that never made sense and make connections we’ve missed in the past. It’s not drugery; it’s adventure.

]]> By: Elaine http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/08/25/reading-scripture-important-or-hard-to-do-consistently/#comment-414 Elaine Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:36:49 +0000 http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/08/25/reading-scripture-important-or-hard-to-do-consistently/#comment-414 I think part of the reason this is challenging is because it's difficult to read the Bible. There are very few accessible narratives contained within one or two chapters. The poetry of the Psalms is great when you're upset, but we're not upset all the time. Paul is just plain confusing, unless you have a really good translation. And I don't think we know how to read it. We sit down, read some story that doesn't match our context, insert the flannelgraph characters and costumes we remember from Sunday School, if any, and then wonder what the heck we're supposed to take away from the text. If we could read the Bible and EVERY time come away with some great insight, or a deep sense of peace, or even just simple comprehension and easy application to our life, we'd do it. So I think the key is that we need to learn how to read the Bible. I think part of the reason this is challenging is because it’s difficult to read the Bible. There are very few accessible narratives contained within one or two chapters. The poetry of the Psalms is great when you’re upset, but we’re not upset all the time. Paul is just plain confusing, unless you have a really good translation. And I don’t think we know how to read it. We sit down, read some story that doesn’t match our context, insert the flannelgraph characters and costumes we remember from Sunday School, if any, and then wonder what the heck we’re supposed to take away from the text.
If we could read the Bible and EVERY time come away with some great insight, or a deep sense of peace, or even just simple comprehension and easy application to our life, we’d do it. So I think the key is that we need to learn how to read the Bible.

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