Reading Our Bibles, Part 1

      When I was a freshman in college at Wichita State University one of my friends asked me, “Can anyone just sit down and read the Bible or do you have to philosophize over it?”

      I answered the question as best as a 17 year old could, but I am afraid I fell short. I certainly don’t think one has to “philosophize over” the Bible. I simply said, “Oh you can just read it.” However, that is not exactly correct either.

      Reading the Bible is not exactly like reading the newspaper or an entertaining novel. Nor is it like studying a textbook for an exam.

      The Bible is a special book. It makes special claims for itself. Its place in our world even demands that we read it in a special way. Do not worry; we are not going to learn some set of special seminary rules for reading the Bible. However, we must recognize the special place of the Bible and read it accordingly.

      II Timothy 3:14-17 provides some great advice about how we must regard and read the Bible.

      First, Paul told Timothy the scriptures were “sacred writings.” The Bible is a holy book, that is, the message it conveys is holy. We must not take the message we read within it lightly.

      Second, Paul told Timothy that the message within the Bible is one that will give us wisdom leading to salvation. We are to read this book, not as entertainment but as an instructor, a counselor, which guides us to eternal salvation. If the scriptures were written to grant us wisdom, that means we do not have all wisdom yet. We must regard the scriptures as more wise than us and read them accordingly, with submission and humility.

      Third, Paul told Timothy that the Bible was inspired by God. This is not man’s book. We are not allowed to do with it what we want. This is God’s word of life. We must study it and learn from it what He wants us to know. Everyone is not simply allowed their own personal understanding of scripture. Rather, we are all to strive to gain God’s understanding of the scripture.

      Fourth, Paul told Timothy to continue in the things he had learned from his mother and grandmother through being taught the scriptures since childhood. We do not read the Bible as we do a novel or self-help book, reading through it once to gain good advice and then putting it back on the shelf. We read it again and again and again, being reminded of the lessons we have already learned and learning more as we repeat our study.

      The Bible is an amazing book and we must read it the way God intended. No, we do not have to philosophize over it. But we must treat it as holy and allow it to counsel us through life.

Edwin L. Crozier