The Verse/Scripture of the Day posts the last few days have been leading up to this post.
I can’t express how much I love Scripture and love getting to know God through it, getting to know people and myself, and how God loves and deals with us.
I’ve always believed Scripture to be inspired, infallible and inerrant. I can’t tell you what flavor of inerrancy (and don’t care), where I come at it from, and all those details I don’t want to be mired in that I’ve read about. After reading blogs for a while and reading all the other viewpoints, my beliefs are strengthened a whole lot more. I’m thankful for that but not glad for some of the people I’ve read about.
I believe God is the same person in the Old Testament as he is in the New Testament. When people say that God is different now in this New Covenant age (although God has dealt with atonement of sin differently after the cross and there is not one theocratic nation of Israel anymore etc.), I think, “Have you read Revelation?” God is always the same.
I believe the Bible is just as reliable in the beginning as it in the end and God is portrayed just as accurately all the way through.
And so as time goes on I become even more amazed at Scripture every time I read it. Sometimes I almost can’t stand it. Can I have any more zeal than I have now? To think that God had a collection of books written for us that we can completely trust and is all for our good and is living and active and always speaking to us. I can’t get over how amazing that is.
If I didn’t believe what I believe I don’t think I would have the same zeal. That will ruffle a lot of feathers and I’m not looking for debate. I’m just saying how thankful I am that God has worked it out that I have so much zeal and want to learn so much and grow as wise as I can without thinking I am. This isn’t something that would happen on my own. Unfortunately God partly used suffering to get me to this point. Without it I don’t think I would have taken refuge in God and the Bible like I have.
I’m taking a risk in writing this because some people won’t like it which is kind of strange to me but it’s the reality nowadays. I wanted to write something personal which I haven’t done in a long time and write something that may encourage others (and frustrate some).
And so as time goes on I become even more amazed at Scripture every time I read it. Sometimes I almost can’t stand it. Can I have any more zeal than I have now? To think that God had a collection of books written for us that we can completely trust and is all for our good and is living and active and always speaking to us. I can’t get over how amazing that is.
Well said, my friend.
Thank you Peter.
Jeff
If blogging about the Bible were tailored to everyone’s comfort zone, we’d all speak in abstractions about fine points of theology and exact phrases in the Biblical languages, our speech always tinged with an almost agnostic-sounding rigor, and an annoying habit of condescending to the “common” man who happens not to have a PhD. in Barthian theologizing and a cool, reserved moderate-liberal view of Scripture.
I exaggerate (maybe), but the point is that I like the post. It’s a breath of fresh air.
One of the things I’d like to get ahead doing is actually memorizing the entire New Testament. C.H. Dodd did it (in Greek).
I’d hate to see the scenario you painted Mitchell. I’d often like to read more things related to people;s relationship with God and what they’re learning from the Bible but I just need to do it myself.
I have a lot of Scripture memorized but not nearly that much. Let us know when you finished.
Jeff
I’m sorry to say I’m nowhere near the final goal yet. I’m taking it one step at a time.
Awesome thoughts. Refreshing to here this from you in opposition to a lot of Bible bloggers I read.
Blessings.
John, maybe you’ll get there before you die. If not, it won’t matter. It sure will be valuable before then.
Thanks Jake.
Jeff
In 2009 I decided to blog through the Bible. It was the most educational of my read throughs! I’m sure there were many numbers of gasps from friends and family as I wrote my blurbs on what I had read each day. When I got through…I Loved God and His Word on a deeper level.
WOW. I was going to write about each book I read, but I just haven’t done it. I’d still like to write some things about Genesis but I’ve course I’m just an ignorant fundamentalist so I don’t know what I’m talking about anyway.
I can’t imagine how great of an exercise that must have been.
I like your Lilly pictures.
Jeff