Scripture Reading
Church history is full of some of the most remarkable stories of bravery, daring and courage. Freedom fighters fill the pages of the stories of yesterday that built a wonderful heritage, the shoulders of which we modern day believers stand upon and from which we have a remarkable view. These histories have been largely forgotten and only recently have the pages begun to be dusted off and revived. There is much excitement, adventure and bravery still to be re-told to our children!
When we named our children – especially our boys – we had this same love in mind, coupled with a love of the most important book for which many of these “history heroes” lived and died – the Bible. Not only do we in the West have tremendous historical privileges that are our inheritance, many of us have in our homes a tangible representation of their greatest triumph – the Bible in our own language. But like the incredible “hero histories” that have been largely forgotten, it is to be feared that much of our Christianity in the West languishes in impotency and ineffectiveness because our Bibles have collected far too much dust in comparison to the New York Times bestseller lists.
To be sure, reading deep and wide is a precious gift. I believe being a voracious reader is one of the most important loves we can inculcate in us and in our children. Great books, articles, and audio books across all kinds of genres are a rich blessing in our lives. But as believers, the Bible holds a unique and central place because it is the very information source by which our relationship with the triune God is nourished and through which we look at the world and understand reality. The Bible gives us our personal ethics, source of law, love of beauty and ability to speak with conviction for the right and against the wrong. It is how we get our view of the world – our worldview.
And so it is with great joy that I dedicate this part of my website to the singular mission of helping people rediscover the joy, beauty, importance and relevance of the Bible on a personal level. I am so excited to help rediscover with you what has been so elegantly expressed in – and no doubt seen by you if you’ve travelled enough – the Gideon’s Bible.
“The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here too, Heaven is opened and the gates of Hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.”
