Alexander Campbell: Why Do You Read the Bible

[seekr]

I used to read God's word, seeking Him in it and what He would have for me--but then from years in the system it became a duty. Although my love hadn't changed, I allowed the lists to guide what I thought was pleasing to God, instead of my heart. I "religiously" for years could not miss a day, and was told if I did, the enemy could get a foothold. I followed others advice so blindly, and fearfully, thinking they had the answers. Now, I read when He calls me to it. I am drawn to it as the Spirit shows me what He wants to say to me in my relationship to the God who paid for me. I truly am amazed at how it is for me now and the freedom I have found. We can get so caught up in our definition of spirituality and fearing God is waiting for us to slip up so He can "get us". Don't you just love the writers of the past and how as our eyes are opened the same Spirit that fed them bonds us in unity? I have found so many treasures in Campbell, Chambers, and others like them. I appreciate you posting those words and hope it touches others.

seekr

[truthseeker]

I love this discussion.  I'm curious about how people do read their Bibles.  

I used to read it because I was supposed to know what it said, etc.  All that stress on "truth" ya know ;)  Then for a few years I read it (true confessions time) to prove I was right and other people were wrong.  Boy, that was a depressing time of my life :(

About 3 years ago I began reading it for the purpose of living out what I read, and "catching the spirit of it" as your quote from A. Campbell refers to.  That began the most glorious, interesting, and challenging  leg of my journey with God yet.  I was appalled to find that I, who had been so into proving others wrong, was so far from a "living Christianity" myself.  I was challenged to rethink the way I looked at scripture and some of the things I was taught.  I had always believed my faith was mine and not just because my parents taught me "X"; especially since both my parents left the church (still not members of any church :( ).  But at this time is when my faith truly became something I owned and lived.

And I was set free of lists and "have to read this or that".  I've found that 3 or 4 verses (sometimes only 1 !!!) read carefully, prayerfully, and with emphasis on the "spirit" of the passage and how I should live it out has more of an impact on my life and those around me then reading a whole book in a mindless, "cause I have to" mode :)

I still find time to read scripture in "bulk", either for myself or for a Bible study class.  But I take care to make sure I have time for that more meditative "quality, not quantity" time with my Bible and my God in prayer.  This has truly been a key to my understanding of love, and grace, and truth!!! :D

[mike]

marc,

I have tried the DBR schedules on several occasions. They haven't worked well for me, and seem too regimented, although that is just my opinion.

Although I read the Bible most every day, there are days when I am reading something else that I don't get around to reading scripture. I have developed my own system of Bible reading, one that allows me to better put scripture in the proper context. Using this system, I manage to read through the NT twice per year and the OT once per year.

Although stating that this is necessary would be legalistic nonsense, I have found that my knowledge and my life have both improved since I began spending regular times in the Word.

Mike
:D

[pdwblw]

I have used the DBR in the past, just last year with the One Year Bible.  It can be difficult at times.  However, I think it is good in that you get to read the whole Bible in a year.  Some portions of Scripture just are read or preached on a regular basis. :D

[bobbyV]

A "Quote of the Day" thought.

I think the following quote from Alexander Campbell, rings true (from 1826):

"Among the myriads who religiously read the Bible, why is it that so little of the spirit of it seems to be caught, possessed and exhibited? . . . Many read the Bible to have a general idea of what it contains, as a necessary part of a polite education; many read it to attain the means of proving the dogmas which they already posses; many read it with the design of being extremely wise in its contents; many read it that they may be able to explain it to others; and alas! but few appear to read it supremely and exclusively that they may practice it, not only in their outward deportment but in spirit and temper of their minds. This is the only reading of it which is really profitable to men, which rewards us for our pains, which consoles us now and which will be remembered for ages to come with inexpressible delight. In this way and in this way only, the spirit of it is caught, retained and exhibited. Some such readers seem to be enrapt or inspired with its contents. Every sentiment and feeling which it imparts seems to be the sentiment and feeling of their hearts; and the Bible is to their religion what the spirit is to their body -- the life and activity thereof. The Bible to such a person is the medium of conversation with the Lord of Life. He speaks to heaven in the language of heaven, when he prays, in the belief of its truth, and the Great God speaks to him in the same language; and thus the true and intelligent Christian walks with God and converses with him every day." (Christian Baptist, Burnett edition, p.225).

Good and wise words. What method do you follow to read the Bible?

His Mark +
Bobby Valentine
[a href=\"mailto:bvalentine@dixie-net.com\"]bvalentine@dixie-net.com[/a]  ;)

[pdwblw]

Thanks for sharing the quote and your thoughts on reading the Bible.  I have a habit of Bible reading.  I must confess times when it is out of a sense of "this is what I do."  No matter the motivation (or lack of it) I feel it is of great benefit to us to spend time in God's Word, not just knwing about Him but knowing Him.  The key, as has been pointed out, is in the doing of the Word.  I truly appreciate the honesty and openness of this forum.  Though I am not a part of the Church of Christ movement I have enjoyed the Christ-like behavior in this forum and the openness to opposing points of view.   Thanks :D

[marc]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]I must confess times when it is out of a sense of "this is what I do."  [/quote]

Just wondering if anyone has tried to follow those "daily Bible reading" schedules that are published in so many places.  I've tried them and always grown frustrated by being bogged down in Genesis when I'd rather been studying elsewhere.  My mother, on the other hand, has done this several times, and probably knows as much about the Old Testament as anyone I know (and frequently become upset when she hears preachers and teachers say something that betrays their lack of OT knowledge).

For years, Dad has tried to get the church on a DBR schedule, but  this year he finally realized no one but him and Mom were doing this, so instead of publishing a DBR schedule in the church bulletin he (or rather I, since I have taken over this function) is printing "Power for Today"'s weekly family devotionals.  

Personally, I have found DBR scedules too constricting.  Maybe it's because of my personality type, but I've gained little by using this approach. I like the idea of letting the Bible speak to me, of letting God tell me what I need to hear through His word.

Sometimes, though, I have real trouble actually following this approach.  But that's another subject for another post.

[bobbyV]

Thanks for the responses to Campbell.  I think we have a great deal to learn from our "Fathers" and "Mothers" in the Faith.  As for a "DBR" (Daily Bible Reading schedule) I do follow one.  For the last several years I have read through F.LaGard Smith's NARRATED BIBLE (paperback version titled DAILY BIBLE) that places the Bible in a chronological flow (you will not find the traditional "books").  I like it much better than those that give a NT, OT and Psalm/Proverb type arrangement.  Rather the Narrated Bible is designed to capture the flow of salvation history -- and is probably the best thing LaGard Smith has ever written.  I do not find it a legalist ritual at all but rather enjoy this approach (btw my wife and I do this together and take turns reading to each other -- so it also gives us some time together.  

I also do other Bible reading during the day but I like the Narrated Bible as a minister because it helps me hear part of the "story" that has nothing to do with my sermon/class preperation.

His Mark +
Bobby Valentine
[a href=\"mailto:bvalentine@dixie-net.com\"]bvalentine@dixie-net.com[/a] :)

[charlie]

I used the DBR schedule one year, and my wife are doing it together this year. When we read it to eachother, we can sympathize with how difficult some passages are to listen to (we're in Numbers now, it's not as tedious as Leviticus). I like to 'dig in' to the books and chapters of the old testament and explore around like a cave or a museum, try to put myself in the setting of what I'm reading, and imagine what the writer was feeling and thinking when he wrote it. I love the epistles of the NT, because I can relate more to the writers and recipients. I try to imagine what it was like being a Christian just before a certain letter arrived, and how that letter would affect my walk, and how I would react to it. Reading a letter as if for the first time has really opened my eyes to some new concepts of the first century church. Imagine what it was like those first 20 or 30 years between the Resurrection and some of the letters of Paul and the appointment of elders, etc. Truly exciting.

[marc]

I've been thinking about why a DBR schedule doesn't work for me, and I've decided it's basically a personality defect.  When I see a quota set for me, I rush to reach that goal at the expense of quality.  Thus when I have a set portion of scripture to read, some part of me wants to just hurry up and get it done, and I have a hard time reading for meaning.

As to how I read the Bible, I think the 25 years I spent as a college undergraduate (only a slight exaggeration) has something to do with it.  In my lit classes, I was frequently amazed at the way some scholars could find whatever meaning they wanted in a piece of writing, often at the expense of what the writer intended to say.  This seemed eerily familiar.  Then when I became a History student, I learned something about viewing events and circumstances through the eyes of people who lived in a different time and culture.

Overall though, as I said in another post, I think a certain reverence for the Bible was instilled in me from the time I was a child.  I was taught to read the Bible for what it really said, not for what I or anyone else wanted it to say.  This was not only taught to me by the leaders of the chruch I attended, but by my parents and my grandmother, who taught me to read when I was only three.  I think much of my desire to read and study came from her.

Just thinking about all this.