Reading the Scripture ...

Wednesday, May 3, 2017. How much do you like reading? Some of us like it a lot, and you find them reading novels and stories all the time. Others do not like to sit with a book, they rather go outdoors. They rather watch films. They have other priorities and interests: people, handwork, action.

Scripture …

The bible is just a book. This is an interesting fact. The role of writing and the format of putting things into books has been a focal point for human communication for many centuries. Still today, with all our films and visual arts, writing texts and books is a core part of human culture.

The apostle Paul is recommending Timothy to read the scripture, to use it as a basis for teaching and for action. Let us listen to his advice:

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (from 1 Tim 4)

The book …

When you look at the global book production today, it is massive. Books are written and printed on a huge scale. There are so many new books every day - in hundreds of languages. But there is one book, which has been special from the very beginning: the bible. Why is it so important? What is it that makes the difference?

I would say the bible is a book you can read many times during your lifetime. And each time you read it, you will be amazed by its content and depth. It is different from all other books I know. Its spiritual content is adressing the basic and deep questions of our life. And there is even more in it!

The bible wants to establish a relationship between me and God. It wants me to discover his presence, his grace, his justice, his beauty. It is about reality - a deep and far reaching reality which is of tremendous meaning for my life. This gives meaning to this book, and it keeps the meaning relevant and active throughout human history. God is there, today, as he was at the beginning of creation. He wants me to discover his grace and love, day by day. What a story, what a perspective, what a joy! It is true! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts