Well, I’ve been reading, but haven’t been blogging. Bad Jon.  We’ll let the bible verse plugin do the work on these days:

• Day 16 – Psalms 37:23-24
• Day 17 – Hebrews 10:23
• Day 18 – Romans 8:1
• Day 19 – Psalms 146:5

I’ve also participated in a couple of really good discussions.  First in my Wednesday class, we discussed the first video in ‘The Man I Want To Be’.  The video was titled A Man Who Believes, and I was blessed to have two of the men who joined engage in the questions, and get into their hearts, and discuss the “pep-talk” video that encourages us to live each day for Christ.

Last night our Thursday group got back into the bible study meat that I really enjoy.  Angie was kind enough to let me borrow her iPhone, and I used that to read and search the scriptures.  Kinda handy, but turning pages is probably better.  The discussion was awesome.

I have an annoying habit of pushing back against dogma, my hope is to tear apart something so we can better understand it when its put back together (kinda like my approach to electronics — that often have non-optimal results).  This past week I’ve been stuck on something in the Daily Walk devotionals, which strikes me as a bit dogmatic.  So keep me honest.

The Christian faith is founded upon promises that are contained in a unique book.  That book is the Holy Bible.  The Bible is a roadmap for life here on earth and for life eternal.  As Christians, we are called upon to study its meaning, to trust its promises, to follow its commandments, and to share its Good News.  God’s Holy Word is, indeed, a transforming, life-changing, one-of-a-kind treasure.  And a passing acquaintance with the Good Book is insufficient for Christians who seek to obey God’s Word and understand His will.

emphasis mine.

Why am I a bit disgruntled with that last sentence?  It smacks a bit of scripture worship, instead of God worship.  I have a very high view of Scripture.  I agree totally with the first portions of that paragraph quoted from above, with a caveat.  The caveat is reading scripture is a dead-end, unless you’re allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you its treasures.  Pharisees were experts on scripture, but as a group — spiritually dead (ask Paul).

Scripture without Christ (and Scripture is all about Christ) is dead.  Want proof, google ‘Atheist Bible’.  Some where, some one has compiled a list of scriptural contradictions and have read the Holy Bible with spiritually dead eyes, and as woodenly literal as most atheists claim a ‘fundie’ would read it.  They’ll use the same words in which believer’s draw life, and use it to discredit, attack, and blaspheme.  (sounds familiar?  the Pharisee’s always tried to trap Jesus with scripture too…)

The point is, we need to read the scripture with grace healed eyes, with the blood of Jesus still cleansing our souls, with his redeeming water of life filling our mouth.  Without trusting God, faith in Him, his word is dead.  Read scripture, as if your sitting on his lap, reading to Him, as your children read their first book, looking up to Him as you read, so he can smile and nod, or gently correct, or guide you to the next great part in his wonderful opus.

We are blessed, indeed, that we can have our own personal copy of God’s word to take with us wherever we go (even in our phones). For centuries believers studied scripture through the filter of a priesthood, not having access to the words themselves, and often unable to read them.  Today we must ensure when we read God’s Word, we open our hearts to his council, and let him continually heal us.