It may seem that I did my best in the last post to tell you that you need to be some kind of expert to read the Bible and profit from it.
Yes, we should know the extent of the task undertaken in giving to us these texts. And yes, we should know of the issues involved in interpretation. But if we do, our common sense will take us a very long way, as we read, and we will know when to consult the experts. It is no more complicated than that. And if we don’t understand, some Christian brother or sister will likely put us straight, where Bible texts are studied and discussed.
Reality is multi-faceted: If you want to know about your physical environment, you might pick up a science book. If you want to know about your body, you might consult a medical handbook or a doctor. If you want to know about your psychology – a psychologist is who you might consult. However, if you want to communicate with your creator, if you want to hear God speak to you, to give you faith in the face of life’s realities – as a Christian, I’m bound to say that you need to read his Word, to read the Bible, and to pray!
God speaks in many ways; through the minister in church, through other Christians, through circumstances; and this is great, and God´s plan for us all. But he has called us to more – he has called us to be intimate and personal with him – and to have faith to face life’s realities, faith to hear his encouraging voice of guidance, and to find help and grace in time of need – this is built on personal relationship through a one-to-one, you and God, over his Word, and through prayer – this is where you will hear his voice to you personally!
Certainly, in my neck of the woods (Norway), I hear of a generation of young Christian people growing up, whose knowledge of the Bible is through the minister, or if they are lucky, through their parents. And whose prayer life may only exist in church. It was not always so!
