Christianity and America

For an interesting examination of the current state of Christianity in America, check out, The End of Christian America, this is the cover story for the April 13th issue of Newsweek magazine. This articles is heavily dependent upon an article posted on Albert Mohler’s blog titled, The Eclipse of Christian Memory. Both of these articles are worth setting some time aside to read.

a comprehensive approach to intentionally reading Scripture

I am going to attempt to do something I have never done before: put myself on a daily Scripture reading plan. In the past, I have arbitrarily selected particular books or sections of Scripture to read. Usually, it would end up being a Pauline epistle, a Psalm, Ezekiel (my favorite OT book) or perhaps a Proverb. Rarely have I ever consistently treaded into the Gospels or the historical books of the Old Testament. Don’t get me wrong. I have read most of the Bible at least once (Well, I skimmed over the genealogies, something one should never do, as arduous as it seems. This changed upon my second reading of Stephen Dempster’s “Dominion and Dynasty.” Genealogies are there for a reason.), but not often; and surely, not with intentionality. Just randomly. Maybe this is just my own experience, but I am sure there are a few folks out there in my boat–or a boat like mine. I always hear about people who get on a plan to read the whole Bible in a year, but I have never done it.

Well, during this semester my thoughts have been challenged, or perhaps, my laziness. Without saying anything on this topic, one of my professors has made a positive impact in this area of my life. His knowledge of Scripture is immense. Not because he has read all the right books, but because he has immersed himself in the Biblical text. He has taken Psalm 1 seriously: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on this he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not whither.” 

On the other hand,  I am a seminarian  in training to serve Christ and I know so little about the Bible. Not only do I know little about God’s Word, but I do not make the time to read it as much I should. I read a couple chapters every day (fairly consistently, I will miss a day or two), but like I said, there is no intentionality with how or what I am going to read.

A few weeks ago, I was listening to a Southern Seminary chapel service online (I think it was from last semester), and in the message the speaker charged that we (in this context, seminarians and academicians–fill in the blank for what applies to you) spend so much time reading books about God that we neglect to read God’s book; his inspired revelation to man; his very words, sovereignly preserved throughout time, given to us so that we might know him and glorify him. It finally hit me: I treasure so many other things more than knowing God’s Word. Much of the time, as I am reading the Scriptures, I am thinking more about the book I am going to read after I am done than about what God is saying in his Word. How could I responsibly lead God’s people yet forsake the source of all truth and wisdom? How could I consider other things, whatever they may be, more important than spending time hearing from God. If I want to know God, I must seek to know him as he has revealed himself in his Word. 

I have decided to make my own reading plan that incorporates every major section of Scripture into my daily reading plan. It is rigorous, but a worthy investment of my time.–For example, “How can a young man keep his ways pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-11), or, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Here is what I am going to do. Honestly, I hope it goes well. I think this will take about an hour everyday. 

I split the Old Testament reading into four categories (one more than what it is typically split into). Of those four, I still haven’t figured out how I am going to split up the wisdom literature. Maybe, by the time I get to it, I will have figured it out.

Pentateuch–Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy–187 Chapters. My plan is to get through these five books 3 times a year. This means every day I will read 2 chapters. Starting with Genesis, I will read through Deuteronomy, and when I am done I will start back at Genesis

Historical Books–Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther–248 chapters. I plan to read through these 12 books 2 times a year. This means every day during the week I will read 2 chapters, and on Saturday and Sunday  I will read 1 chapter.

Wisdom Literature–Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon–143 chapters. I think that I will split the wisdom literature up differently. I will read 1 Psalm and 1 Proverb every day. For the other 3 books, I will read 2 chapters on Saturday and 2 chapters on Sunday, but none during the week.

The Prophets–Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Book of the Twelve–250 chapters. I want to make it through the prophets at least twice a year. I am going to read 2 chapters everyday.

The Gospels and Acts–Matthew, Mark, Luke-Acts, John–117 chapters. My goal is to read through the gospels at least 4 times a year. This means that I will read 2 chapters a day.

The Epistles–Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1,2 and 3 John, Jude, and Revelation–143 chapters. I want to make it through the Epistles 3 times a year. I think that 2 chapters a day should do.

My intentions in this are not to be seen as a means to boast; rather, I want to know God. Very often, I feel so distant. It is then that I realize I am not reading God’s word as I should. I want the Scriptures to always be on my mind and consume my thoughts, rather than being absorbed in sinful destructive thoughts. I want to be like the tree in Psalm 1 that receives continual nourishment. I don’t want to be a coward anymore. I want to please Christ and bear the fruit of the vine. I want to be ready for whatever it is that God has for my future. Only God can do these things. Therefore, I want to heavily expose myself to reading and reading and reading his Word. I pray that God would give me the strength to be faithful to him everyday and to stay disciplined in reading his Word.