How Should I Read the Bible Today?
Is there one right way to read the Bible? No, not exactly. There have been many ways faithful Christians have read or even encountered God’s Word over the centuries, especially when we consider periods of widespread illiteracy. But there are some Biblical parameters for a faithful reading of scripture in our own day that we should practice. How should we read the Bible today? We should read the Bible understanding the big framework(s) of the story, caring about the little stuff too, and expecting something to happen.
Understand the Big Framework(s)
The one big framework in mind is one you have likely heard before: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. These are four acts of the story in scripture. They begin with Creation in Genesis 1 and 2 and end with Restoration in Revelation 21 and 22. While these seem like confined categories, the four acts overlap at various points. For example, the first and last acts, like in any good story, are seen elsewhere. They bleed into the middle two acts to answer the concerns and establish the hopes to come. Likewise, the second act, the Fall, is not strictly contained within its own chapters between Genesis 3 and something like Matthew 1. The power and ramifications of the Fall are active until the full restoration still to come, although mortally wounded at the cross and resurrection. The third act, similarly, has its start in the midst of God’s initial cursing in Genesis 3:15 with the protoevangelium, the first gospel statement, a promise of the redemption to come in the seed of the woman. These acts serve as fluid movements of the story, not rigid sections in the storyline. Noticing them throughout the story can significantly aid your reading.
This four-act framework is supported, especially in all of this foreshadowing and early development of later themes, with another framework. The covenantal framework serves to underscore the temporal working out of God’s gracious, unchanging plan built before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). In scripture, God works through two covenants to accomplish his end-purpose to dwell with his people and be their God eternally and perfectly (Rev. 21:3–4), even though he is self-sufficient and self-contained, needing nothing from this relationship. In the first covenant, a covenant of works, the image-bearer Adam, through meritorious obedience, could have “advanced” his natural relationship with God “to glory.” But, instead, Adam disobeyed and fell into sin and corruption under the wrath of God for him, all his posterity (Rom. 5:12), and the very ground (Gen. 3:17). In the second covenant of grace, through a series of administrations, more and more is revealed about the second and last Adam who would also be the eternal sacrifice that restores our relationship with God and ushers us into the eternal promised land, a restored New Heavens and New Earth. This second and last Adam is God himself, the Word made flesh, Jesus the Christ, who does what Adam could not do (Rom. 5:18–19).
How do these frameworks help our reading of the Bible? Both of these Biblical frameworks help to keep a reader in the larger context of what is happening in the story. This makes the budding themes begun in the Old Testament a deep refreshment for the soul when we see them fulfilled in Jesus in the New Testament. It also helps us to see the text of the New Testament as a continuous story from the Old Testament, and read things in light of the Old Testament context, especially from Genesis 1–3. Likewise, they help us orient our reading to the eschatological telos of God fulfilled completely when all is fully reconciled in the blood of the lamb. These frameworks also serve to take us from a reading of the Bible that’s just reading, like with any book, to a meaningful reading of an inspired and authoritative story of the gospel, of God coming down to us with a purpose. In other words, these frameworks can help those who struggle when they get down in the weeds and can’t see a way out. But for any reader, these frameworks ensure that we are seeing God’s redemptive plan worked out in history.
Care About the Little Stuff
Some people prefer the big picture, as above, and others like the details. Both are invaluable for reading the Bible. Big picture people cannot avoid the details of scripture if we desire to read it for all it is worth. For some, this may mean you learn more about history, archaeology, and languages. In fact, all of us should take steps in a program of theological education that would encourage our growth and ability to read deeper. But, studying Hebrew and Greek is not for everyone and it does not need to be. The Bible has been translated into readable languages for a wide profitability among those who would read it (WCF §1.8), which enables all people to worship and know God.
But the Bible is still written and cannot somehow be understood as something other than written. It is taught and preached in faithful churches, certainly, but even this preaching, done well, is subservient to a written text. A good preacher will show how he interprets the words, phrases, and internal logic of the text, imparting it to his congregation, ultimately showing the glory and grace of God in Jesus Christ. The average reader must also grow in this activity. Reading any text requires attention to its details by way of grammar, for example. So, noticing Paul’s extensive use of prepositions in Ephesians 1:3–14 can aid someone to understand more deeply the doctrine of union with Christ, recognizing all of the “in him” or “in Christ” prepositional phrases in the plan of redemption. The conclusion they must draw is that this work of redemptive spiritual blessing is only accomplished by Christ Jesus. Likewise, it is only received by the sealing of the Spirit, uniting us “in” and “with” Christ. This is confirmed when we walk forward in the letter and see Ephesians 2:8-9.
How do you grow in your ability to care about the little things? 1) Read scripture and spend time with it. This is one reason why the Bible in a year program should not be your only encounter with scripture. Slow down and consider smaller portions. 2) One common resource that can help you with understanding the little things is a Study Bible. There are several on the market, each with their pluses and minuses. The notes in the margins or the footers should not be seen as inspired teaching from heaven! But they can be helpful on phrases, background, context, and outside considerations like dating and archaeology. 3) Likewise, readable, English-based commentaries, like the Tyndale Series or The Bible Speak Today Series, would represent another avenue for deeper study on the little things. 4) Of course, Warfield Summer Institute aims to be a place where average readers of the Bible can grow in understanding and faithful living, according to the Word of God. Other places like Warfield may exist elsewhere at churches and church-run ministries. 5) Most, however, will get their formation on studying the little things from the pulpit ministry at their church and perhaps small group studies in Biblical books. It is, therefore, all the more imperative to confidently and supportively sit under the teaching of a church that does a good job of this.
Expect Something to Happen
The God of glory, who is infinite and unchangeable chose to reveal himself in a book. As Cornelius Van Til states, echoing Herman Bavinck, “All revelation is anthropomorphic.” God purposefully communicates his revealed will, thoughts, and purposes in a book that we can understand in our limited, finite nature. More than just mere cognitive awareness, this book is “useful” and “profitable” for our growth in grace, because, as Paul says, it is God’s very breath (2 Tim. 3:16). It is the primary means by which the Spirit moves and works in the hearts of men. It is, in fact, the only offensive weapon in the armor of God! “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). We should expect something to happen when we read the Bible prayerfully and faithfully; because God promises to use the Bible and its proclamation for our spiritual growth.
Therefore, your Bible reading should include a time for prayer where you seek the Spirit’s guidance to see Jesus Christ and to grow in the fruits of the Spirit. Likewise, keep the work of God in Christ by the Spirit at the forefront of your mind in every reading, see how this is explained or developed in the context of the testament, book, or chapter. Then, allow this exploration to shape how you follow the commands of God in this section.
As we seek to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, from the only profitable source (the very Word of God!) it is important to recognize these three elements. They will help you understand more. They will take you deeper. They are not the end-all-be-all, but they are foundational for your reading. All of this only matters if you actually take up the Bible and read it! See how the Spirit moves in your life through the reading of God’s Holy Word. Tolle lege!
