How To Read

Image via Wikipedia

The Fine Art of Reading

If you are reading for information, scan.  But if something is worth reading, read the words beneath the words.  That is, get into the author's head. Don't just try to understand what they're saying.  Read with discernment.  Why is this person writing this?  What are they trying to convince me of?  What's their goal?

Scripture tells us to 'test all things and hold fast to what's good.'  So, what spirit is the author writing in?  And closely tied to that is, what's the intent of their heart?  It's all there in the words beneath the words.  What is their world view? Their presuppositions?  Theology?

How To Read And More

It's good to read Scripture this way. No holes barred. Don't hold back.  Psalms says "the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times."  Prove Scripture for yourself. Tear it apart. You won't be disappointed.

I'm a stickler for primary sources. Anything else is spin, and you know how that goes. 

After my third year of Greek, my professor looked me dead in the eye and said, "Now, you are the most dangerous thing to the Body of Christ."  I asked him why, to which he replied, "It takes at least 13 years of consistent study to properly translate New Testament Greek." And you know what, He's right.

Your Secret Weapon

So barring, setting the next 15+ years to study primary languages, you've got a secret weapon that I've been trying to clue you into. Your intuitive heart.  ~But you've got to listen. That's why I've been hammering home, "Be still, and know that I Am God."  That's the place of your greatest strength. Your greatest insight, Your greatest discernment training...Being Present, in The Presence of God.  On the Becoming side, I love the way the Westminster Shorter Catechism sums it up,  "Our primary purpose is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever." So get to it. Enjoy God!

You don't have to be afraid of uncovering anything.

So what is your faith journey? 

Now, in my faith journey, you probably know, I came out of a Buddhist/Native world view.  Growing up seeing Churchanity, I was convinced God wasn't in it.  So, I started reading Confucius, and everything I could get my hands on, searching for the truth.  I read the Bhagavad Gita, the Tao te Ching, Gilgamesh, the works of Plato, the Koran, Koans, the Didiche', The Way of the Pilgrim, Siddhartha, and the list goes on and on. They held bits and shadows. I wanted more.

But when I came to stripping away, everything off of the Scriptures, the Bible, I was startled. Behind every scripture, the words underneath the words, I see God. It dumbfounds me.  When Jesus says, "the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." I break. If I could jump through these words, I would grab your shoulders,  look you in the eyes, and tell you that you can have a totally awesome relationship with God, right now. If you've got Jesus, You've already got everything you need.  Put this down, and tell Him, "God, I love you." He's been waiting for you, your whole life. It's time.

Thanks for stopping by the Cafe'. Keep coming back.