And I Wonder, Still I Wonder
We’re told that if we want to know God we should read our Bible. But how did those He used to write the Bible know Him, and why can’t I encounter Him the same way they did? And since the Canon of the Bible wasn’t decided upon until the 4th century, did all who lived beforehand NOT know Him to the extent those of us who possess a Bible are able to know Him?
Do we put too much emphasis on reading the Bible and not enough on living in communion with God and conversing with Him in person?
These are questions I have, as I study for the exegesis class I’m currently taking.
Categories: Bible, Bible Stories, Christianity, Donny Pauling
Those He used to write the New Testament had scripture, though probably not their own copy. Since they didn’t have access to scripture like we do (and they obviously didn’t have the new covenant), they did make it a habit of meeting together in community and fellowship with eachother to encourage one another and engage God together.
I don’t think we can ever put too much emphasis on time in God’s Word just as we can’t put too much emphasis on personal time worshiping, praying to and listening for God. We should meet in fellowship with other believers as iron sharpens iron, but also meeting with non-believers, to show them what Christ looks like and be a candle in an otherwise dark world.
Joy in the journey.
I can’t imagine just how Moses “communed” with God – burning bush/fire from heaven on the mountain top, etc – and wonder how we’d respond with the same communion! Wow! Today we are so blessed to have this written Word of God all the time, plus the indwelling Holy Spirit to give wisdom and insight. We truly should be honored and eager to read every word of it. It’s a huge part of our living in communion with Him and conversing with Him. We’d be sore pressed without it!
In the first century believers had access to the apostles. In the 2nd century, they could have had letters written by the apostles, as well as people who had heard the apostles.
OT times, there were the priests and prophets.
But I’m all for actually talking TO and WITH Him as well! But there’s something very strong to be said about reading the words that God gave to us through his prophets and apostles for how to live/how not to live.
Donny,
I’m praying for you man, I know what it’s like to have more questions than answers. I’m not going to attempt to convince you of anything but I will say this. When you pray, ask God for wisdom and understanding. In time, He will reveal answers to your questions…trust me or more accurately, trust him. Things that you just can’t get your head around right now will be made clear and you will know they are true in your heart.
I think the bible is a beautiful gift to us from God. That being said, I think we do often overemphasize its role in our faith. You ever get the feeling that some churches are worshiping scripture? I do. But that being said, I like what Jean had to say above. “I don’t think we can ever put too much emphasis on time in God’s Word just as we can’t put too much emphasis on personal time worshiping, praying to and listening for God.”
Donny I am reading that Dinesh D’Souza book and it is really good!
Yes! The evidence of the world is far more important than the Bible. Glad I could clear this up for you!
John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that testify concerning Me. Yet you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
Only our Lord Jesus Christ can give life to people. The Bible testifies the person of Jesus Christ. When we read our BIbles, the goal is not for doctrinal knowledge but it is to contact and fellowship with Christ. So our Bible-reading and our personal time with the Lord go hand in hand, and shouldn’t be separate.