Scripture

On checking boxes and bible reading plans

Lisa SpencerLeave a comment

I confess, I have a love-hate relationship with checking boxes. On one hand, it gives a sense of accomplishment as I find with the logistics of event planning I have to do for my job. And who doesn’t love checking off that fun item from their bucket list?

But on the other hand, it’s a symbol of routine, something that needs to be done even though we’d rather not do it. Sadly, I held this perspective when it comes to Bible reading plans. So I wanted to share my own journey and change of heart, not as a prescription, but hopefully encouragement to those who share similar views.

I’ve been a student of Scripture for many, many years. From day one, back as a freshman in college in 1982 when I came to Christ, no one had to tell me to read the Bible. Before I even knew 2 Timothy 3:16, I instinctively knew that the Bible is how we learn about God, his character, his work, and his commands. Unfortunately, after a few years of zealous following, I embarked on a 13 year rebellious period from 1986-1999 (more about that here). When the Lord drew this prodigal home, the very first thing I did was go directly to the Bible. I even went to seminary in 2008 and earned a ThM!

So I write this as one who has a firm, strong commitment to learning Scripture, to knowing what thus has said the Lord. In the past 15 years, or so, I’ve had the conviction that knowing the narrative of Scripture is just as much, if not more, important, than random Bible versus. The compilation of 66 books tell a cohesive story of God’s creation, his plan for it, and rescue of it through his Son. We learn what salvation means! So I’ve been a strong advocate for understanding Scripture in context of each book, its genre and where it fits into the redemptive-historical narrative. Continue reading →

Christians, you cannot read the Bible any old way you want – Part 2

Lisa Spencer9 Comments

As a follow up to You Can’t Read the Bible Any Old Way You Want-Part 1, which really was a primer for this one, I first want to express why I’m so passionate about this topic. One of the greatest tragedies of my Christian life is how I read the Bible. And from day one of trusting in Christ as my Lord and Savior, I had a firm desire to know what his word said. But because I did not know the framework of how the 66 books fit together, I read it in a very disjointed fashion, imposing whatever philosophies influenced me through the teaching I was under, which for many years was pretty wretched.

I came across an article recently on docetism and Scripture, which resonated with me in terms of how I would approach Scripture. Docetism was one of the earliest heresies that infiltrated the church and the pre-cursor to Gnosticism. Docestists placed emphasis on the “spiritual” to the neglect of the physical. You can see docetic approaches to Christianity in some sectors of Christianity today, where the Holy Spirit acts as a rogue agent;

A docetic approach to the Bible is one that allows any text to have any meaning to which we might consider ourselves led by the Spirit. The human dimension of the Bible is ignored so that the careful exegesis of passages and a sound hermeneutic are regarded as unspiritual impositions on the Word of God. What the Spirit makes the text mean to me is what it means! It is true for me even if it isn’t true for you. What is worse is that any fanciful interpretation of Scripture is then attributed to the Holy Spirit’s leading. But the Word is inspired by the Spirit, and his leading is always testable against the responsible exegesis of the Word.

Of course, no one is going to sit and devour the Bible in one setting. It makes sense that we only read a little bit each day. But it helps to put whatever we’re reading in context – in context of the author’s theme, in context of the genre and in context of the placement in the redemptive narrative. That means we just can’t read it anyway we want to. Continue reading →

Fortune Cookie Theology

Lisa Spencer5 Comments

Al Mohler posted this article recently on a call for Biblical literacy. He claims that the reason for illiteracy in the church is that people just don’t read the bible.

Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli put the problem squarely: “Americans revere the Bible — but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.” Researchers tell us that it is worse than most could imagine.

Fewer than half of all adults can name the four Gospels. Many Christians cannot identify more than two or three of the disciples. According to data from one research group, 60 percent of Americans can’t name even five of the Ten Commandments. Americans may demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in the courthouse, but they seem unable to remember what exactly they are.

According to 82 percent of Americans, “God helps those who help themselves,” is a Bible verse. Those identified as born-again Christians did better — by one percent. A majority of adults think the Bible teaches that the most important purpose in life is taking care of one’s family.

One poll indicates that at least 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. Another survey of graduating high school seniors reveals that more than 50 percent thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. We are in big trouble. Continue reading →