Last year, I wrote an entry named "Top 5 Reasons Non-Christians Should Read The Bible". At the time, my brother-in-law (who at that time was not yet my brother-in-law) suggested that I write one to exhort Christians to read the bible. He reasoned that too many people professing to be Christians are very unfamiliar with the Bible, its contents, and what it really espouses. I couldn't agree with him more. I have met too many Christians whose only study of the bible occurs at Sunday service or in cell groups. Although they appear to have a strong belief, yet the foundations of their faith are all too easily shaken. I have, since then, wanted to write something like this, but it has taken me a long time.
This is an exceptionally difficult post to write... if we were going to talk about the Bible and why it is important... gosh, where do I start? Do I talk about my own experiences? Do I talk about the intellectual or the emotional ways that the Bible helps us in our faith? Do I go into the theology of scripture - concepts like inspiration of scripture, the birth of the canon, inerrancy of the canon, etc? I hope to write a short, concise, yet compelling and motivating treatise. The emphasis here is on short, something that is easier said than done. Here is my attempt, after many trials and errors. Hope this works.
1. The Bible is God's Story, and if you are a Christian (and therefore believes in God), then it makes sense for you to read it. It is a biography of God and His involvement with His creation. The entire book - even those parts that are not narratives - weave together to tell the story about a perfect God, imperfect and tainted mankind, and His attempts to love us. You can't afford to miss out on this story.
2. Get your theology right.
What do you say if somebody starts attacking your faith? What do you think if someone presented you with what seems like quite a compelling message (in a leaflet, book, or sermon) that sounds good and doesn't seem to deviate too much from Christianity? If ever you were in that situation, would you even know what are the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith? On that vein, what does the Bible really say about abortion, extramarital sex, homosexuality, euthanasia, etc?
It is imperative that the everyday Christian is clear about their theological beliefs, rather than just relying on their leaders and pastors. Firstly, your pastor isn't necessarily going to be around when you are attacked... Secondly (and God forbid that you should meet these), not every compelling "speaker" or "leader" is going to be theologically sound. In the early church, medieval and middle ages, literacy was not widespread among the populace, and people were easily lead by anybody who had good oratory skills. Not so our generation! Read the Bible because you can, and get your theology right.
3. The Bible is practical
What is the best way to make money? What is the best way to relate to people around you? How do you build a relationship with your spouse? How do you bring up your children? How do you deal with life when poverty, persecution, or loneliness comes? What exactly is wisdom, which choices are wise? The Bible does not beat about the bush when it comes to these practical problems that trouble us. Aside from being an epic large scale romance and a theological doctrinal treatise, it is also a practical guidebook of life-money-marriage-parenting.
4. Know what God promises
I believe that what we believe about God and His nature and promises has a profound effect on our values, attitudes, and even our life vision. "Theology dictates living", theologian Dr. S. Donald Fortson III once said. If you know God and what He promises, how will you live differently?
The Bible contains countless promises that God gives us, and without reading it we don't really have an understanding of what they entail. Not only do we need to read the Bible for the promises that are recorded, but we need to keep reading it to remind ourselves, and even memorise it for a time when we can use it to encourage others.
5. Jesus read the Bible. Actually, that's not strictly true - the Bible didn't exist in Jesus' day - many books were in fact written after Jesus' death. However, Jesus was familiar with the scripture that was available to him - the prophets, the laws, and psalms in the Old Testament. He knew them well, committed them to memory, and often made references to them in his teaching.
If you profess to be Christian, and follow Jesus, it makes sense to follow his example!
In closing, you may notice that I didn't include reasons like "God talks to you using the Scriptures". Sometimes it is true that, whilst reading the Bible, a certain verse just jumps out at us, comforts our hearts and directs our steps, as if a personal revelation. Many people have experienced it, myself included... indeed on numerous occasions. However I didn't include this as one of the five reasons, because I don't think we should have a "mining" approach to reading the scriptures, as if we are reading in order to "find" a revelation or to somehow "channel" God to talk to us this way. If you take this attitude to your scripture reading, you may find yourself frustrated after reading 10 chapters of Leviticus and nothing jumps out at you, and you may consider Leviticus 'useless'.
My husband, who is usually permissive about these things, once remarked that regular reading of the Bible is compulsory for anyone who seriously wishes to love and serve God... and we all learn this, sooner or later.
(I'm sure there are a thousand other reasons that I've not presented here, even now I can think of heaps that didn't make this list. If you can think of heaps more, I would love to see your comment.)
