The Essential Ingredient

Jerome, a Bible scholar from Christianity’s long ago past once said “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” How true! Neglecting to read the Bible is a dangerous sin for believers in any age-but this is probably one of the “top” sins of today. Neglecting the Scriptures gives rise to a host of other problems. Corporate church life can become defective, and one’s personal walk with Christ shrivels when the Bible is neglected and orthodox interpretations are jettisoned. Bible reading is the taproot of effective, vibrant Christian spirituality. It is essential.

The Psalmist reminded us “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105). The Word of God brings illumination into our lives. We can see the right in Scripture, namely, God’s standards, and therefore seek to follow God’s standards in our life. We can also see the pitfalls of sin and worldliness in our path and go around them, again, by the light the Word of God provides. However, this does not happen for us automatically. We have to apply ourselves to learning God’s Word and making its message deeply and truly felt in our hearts. W.H. Griffith Thomas (1861-1924) wrote, “The Bible is the Word of God, the revelation of His will to man. It follows that we ought to know this revelation and heed its message. Knowledge demands study.” (Methods of Bible Study, Moody Press, p. 11) I agree with Thomas-being a biblical student demands time, effort, and a willingness to dig deep. Rich treasures await the child of God who prays for the discipline needed to mine the Word of God effectively.

Over the years, as I’ve contemplated the most important functions of pastoral ministry in today’s world, I believe that the primary function of the pastor remains teaching the Bible to the church. After all, St. Paul counseled Timothy “Preach the Word!” (II Timothy 4:2) Following New Testament patterns for pastoral ministry seems to dictate that pastors must be deep students of the Bible so that they can teach their flocks. This has demanded some adjustments to my weekly and daily routines as I have sought to know more of God’s Word-but the cost of time is well worth it.

Thomas Cranmer, the English Bishop instrumental in bringing the Reformation to England, called on the faithful in his church to pray this prayer as part of his church’s liturgy: “Blessed Lord, who has caused the Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant us that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our savior Jesus Christ.” We would all do well to heed this call!

(C) Baptist Parson, 2008