my life and my doctrine

Yesterday I was chatting with an older and wiser friend, further down the ministry track than I am. We were discussing how often we think we can get more done than we really do. In particular I was lamenting how little I read last year, compared to my sedate goal of six books. The one thing I was glad of though, was my commitment to read my Bible more often and more regularly, even if it meant at the expense of other reading. It is probably obvious to you that reading the Bible is more important than any other book, but I certainly find it tempting to read other things before it.

So, next time you see me, if you ask me how my reading is going, check to see that I’m still regularly reading my Bible. (Right now I’m going through Isaiah. Hopefully a chapter a day and plan to be done by the 18th February.)

And, having said all that, if you’ve got suggestions on what should make my list of must read books for 2010, please let me know.

I’m not really into new year’s resolutions, but if you are, and one was to read through the whole Bible in 2010, or even read through the Old Testament, then check out some reading plans. Go to www.bibleplan.org where you can see the schedule for the year and/or you can even be emailed the readings for each day. The famous reading plan was developed by Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a Scottish minister who died at 29.

Though I’m not into resolutions, I’m into Bible reading and would strongly encourage you to, if you haven’t already, read through the whole Bible.

Today I read Thomas Cranmer’s homily entitled, ‘A Fruitful Exhortation to the Reading and Knowledge of Holy Scripture’. It’s an incredibly inspiring read! I’ve been considering the importance of preaching in a particular pastoral context, and yet here’s a homily, a sermon to be read out in the 17th century which still inspires to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Bible.

Cranmer has such confidence in Holy Scripture as containing the Word of God, as sufficient for all knowledge to live a godly life and as scalpel to judge the human condition of those who read it.

‘In these books we may learn to know ourselves, how vile and miserable we be; and also to know God, how good he is of himself, and how he maketh us and all creatures partakers of his goodness.’

Three things in particular struck me as I read it.

Firstly, Cranmer uses such figurative language as he wrote this homily. It doesn’t seek to appeal purely to those academically inclined. Rather, his communication style includes painting a lot of visual images for the hearers. For example,

as drink is pleasant to them that be dry, and meat to them that be hungry; so is the reading, hearing, searching, and studying of Holy Scripture, to them that be desirous to know God, or themselves, and to do his will.

This is a challenge to me as I’m still working my way out of four years in theological college, which can often result in my sermons being considered heady or academic. It’s not that I want to lose theological rigour or depth, but rather, I want to work harder at communicating.

Secondly, Cranmer also speaks negatively against those who would choose not to read and know Holy Scriptures. At the start he refers to those who are ‘so drowned in worldly vanities’ and ‘desire such vanities, rather than the true knowledge of God.’ He concludes his first section saying,

‘nothing more darkeneth Christ and the glory of God, nor bringeth in more blindness and all kinds of vices, than doth the ignorance of God’s word.’

This is confronting as I find it easy to play down the harsh reality of judgment on those who aren’t yet Christian. Yet in big, bold, black and white, I’m reminded that, but by the grace of God, I have been brought from the kingdom of darkness into his wonderful light. This awareness of what I’ve been saved from should inspire me to boldly continue preaching the reality of life without Christ.

Thirdly, Cranmer exhorts the hearers of the homily to not just read their Bibles, but seek to understand it. I’ve made a few comments about my desire to spend more time reading my Bible than other books or listening to mp3 sermons or on Facebook etc. This homily has rebuked me to not think about it in terms of time spent, nor chapters read, nor obligation or legalism. Rather, reading the Bible ought to lead to knowledge of God. If it doesn’t, not much is going in.

Furthermore, reading the Bible ought to be part and parcel of what it means to be a Christian.

‘If we profess Christ, why be we not ashamed to be ignorant in his doctrine, seeing that every man is ashamed to be ignorant in that learning which be professeth? That man is ashamed to be called a Philosopher which readeth not the books of philosophy; and to be called a Lawyer, an Astronomer, or a Physician, that is ignorant in the books of law, astronomy, and physic. How can any man, then, say that he professeth Christ and his religion, if he will not apply himself, as far forth as he can or may conveniently, to read and hear, and so to know, the books of Christ’s Gospel and doctrine?’

I’ll let Cranmer have the last word,

‘Let us therefore apply ourselves, as far forth as we can have time and leisure, to know God’s word, by diligent hearing and reading thereof, as many as profess God, and have faith and trust in him.’

PS. A more complete set of homilies, though with ye olde style spelling can be found here.

Yesterday I wrote about my highlight from Engage conference, namely the preaching and teaching of William Taylor from John’s gospel.

I want to reflect on getting and reading the Sydney Morning Herald. This could be my old age, it could be my ignorance and/or I could be plain wrong. Most of all, I’m sure this will sound blatantly hypocritical. After spending the week being reminded of the importance of God’s word taught and spoken, it struck me that all our delegates were offered a copy of the SMH on Saturday morning. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading it. I check out the website most days. In fact I didn’t make enough of the opportunity to read it on a weekend without our children.

A slow start to a Saturday morning with a coffee and the paper is still my ideal Saturday morning. And yet I couldn’t help feeling a little unnerved inside. Part of me wanted to challenge the group from my church, in fact all of us there, who read their Bible before reading the paper? Or, if you’re not a morning person, which is to be expected in the target demographic, did you spend more time over the weekend reading the paper or your Bible?

What do you think? Is it fair to assess our attitudes by our reading habits? Is it fair to expect Christians to spend more time in God’s word than the daily newspaper?

I wanted to give an update and reflect on the reading list I mentioned earlier.

I’ve almost finished the first book on my list, Green & Jackman, When God’s Voice is Heard. It’s been great to read Chappo’s chapter on preparing and giving evangelistic talks. If you’ve never read Setting Hearts on Fire, can I encourage you to do so. This chapter is similar in a lot of what it covers. Not surprisingly however, he covers in more detail the reasons for and the how to of what he proposes in the fuller book. One particularly nice thing about reading it is every now and then hearing Chappo’s voice in your head because he writes like he speaks.

I’m still struggling to get out of bed to read in the morning, but it’s worth it. By really struggling, I think it only happened once last week. Yet, whether foolishly or not, I set my alarm again and was up at 6am yesterday and today.  I’m reading through Proverbs, which is a very different experience to most other Bible reading I do. Also, I’m reading through Ephesians and then reading some of the corresponding parts of Peter O’Brien’s commentary. After a recent conversation with a mate from college days, I decided to give up reading through the introductory chapter and got stuck into the commentary on the text itself. Two days in and it’s going well, as in, I’m up to Eph 1.3.

One other thing I’m endeavouring to do is to keep up with Con Campbell’s blog posts about Galatians. These have been really helpful for me to learn more about Galatians and also to watch his method as he starts with the Greek and moves to how to preach. Thankfully they are in bite sized chunks.

Another five books to go and a 6am start tomorrow beckons.

I recently mentioned in a sermon on Psalm 1 that the Bible is an incredibly vivid book. I was encouraging us at Evening Church to read our Bible more than we listen to other people’s sermons. I referred to a video of Ryan Ferguson’s dramatic reading of Hebrews 10-11. Here’s the link if you’re interested.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8919399424910324675

The Bible well read speaks for itself.