Seen on Twitter: What’s your favorite “how to read the Bible” book?
Several folks were weighing in with various authors’/theologians’ names or titles.
My first thought: the Bible itself…. accompanied by prayer for Holy Spirit illumination and conversation with godly friends. Best guidance I’ve had. Throw in a little reliable commentary on ancient cultural traditions, geopolitical history, language and translation peculiarities, etc, to help with orientation to time and place.
An author friend who also teaches a Bible class commented, “Why would one need to know how to read the Bible? Our best “teacher” is the one Christ left behind for us.”
I think this is one of the reasons God would have me never write a book…. I could add nothing to what He already has hidden in His Word for each of us to mine! Also, I’ve observed that, as my friend also said, “People won’t take the time to read a 10 page paper on a topic. Why would they read a book others would write?” LOL! Books are special, as you know. God often brings them to us when He is directing our attention to something specific, teaching us through them. If we learned to rely on His Spirit and His Word, He could teach all of that directly, The Bible contains great mystery, biographies, is a textbook on interpersonal relationships, is suspenseful and romantic, stirs hope and inspires…. Anything anyone could want.