December 17th, 2010 | 
Author:
Please tell us about a time in your life when God spoke to you most vividly and personally through the Bible. Which passage was it and what did it mean to you at the time?
The time that comes to mind is when I was a theological student and we were encouraged to read and meditate on the passage where Jesus walked on the water. To my surprise I found myself reflecting on the humanity of Jesus – what it must have felt like, tired as he was, sensing that God the Father was drawing him out onto the lake. I had never before imagined how it might have felt for Jesus – we don’t tend to put ourselves in his footsteps! In doing this I experienced a profound realisation of the deep humanity of Jesus and how he might have wrestled himself to take those steps of faith.
In recent years what has helped to keep the Bible fresh for you?
A variety of ways of reading. I like to savour the Bible and prefer reading smaller quantities than larger ones. However I have also appreciated the value of reading longer passages and following through on a whole book. I use different schemes and move between them. I alternate between using commentaries and reflecting on a passage ‘as is’. I have also found the Lectio Divina method a help – reading a passage three times, with space in between each reading to help me encounter God. I enjoy exploring the Bible with others and that always brings new perspectives and thoughts – and sometimes questions. I try to listen to preachers who bring the Scriptures alive and use the web and CD resources. The Bible is not always easy or comfortable to read but I always look for it to be a place of encounter with God.
What does your regular practice of Bible reading look like?
Most mornings I will read the Bible as part of a time of prayer. At the moment I am following the Anglican lectionary readings but generally I prefer to read one passage rather than two or three (if the Psalm is included). The answer to the question above gives examples of how I try to read the Bible. I aim to focus on God in stillness at the outset of my prayer time before moving into a simple form of morning prayer with a Bible reading. Sometimes I move straight to the Bible reading, other times I may be so engrossed in prayer that I run out of time for the reading. I try not to beat myself up about consistency!
What would you say to a Christian who is struggling to read the Bible?
When I first started reading the Bible I found notes and guidance hugely helpful. Nowadays there are all kinds of resources – including podcasts – to help illuminate the Bible. Reading the Bible with others has always been helpful, and listening to people who can open up the passage.
What is your prayer for the Biblefresh initiative?
That Christians would rediscover what an incredible gift it is to us for transforming lives – our own and our society. That more and more people would find it a place of encounter with Jesus Christ.
I particularly pray that Biblefresh will increase understanding of what the Bible is and what it is not. There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the Bible (some of it stirred up willfully by mischievous atheists) which I hope can be addressed.
1. Please tell us about a time in your life when God spoke to you most vividly and personally through the Bible? Which passage was it and what did it mean to you at the time?
The time that comes to mind is when I was a theological student and we were encouraged to read and meditate on the passage where Jesus walked on the water. To my surprise I found myself reflecting on the humanity of Jesus – what it must have felt like, tired as he was, sensing that God the Father was drawing him out onto the lake. I had never before imagined how it might have felt for Jesus – we don’t tend to put ourselves in his footsteps! In doing this I experienced a profound realisation of the deep humanity of Jesus and how he might have wrestled himself to take those steps of faith.
2. In recent years what has helped to keep the Bible fresh for you?
A variety of ways of reading. I like to savour the Bible and prefer reading smaller quantities than larger ones. However I have also appreciated the value of reading longer passages and following through on a whole book. I use different schemes and move between them. I alternate between using commentaries and reflecting on a passage ‘as is’. I have also found the Lectio Divina method a help – reading a passage three times, with space in between each reading to help me encounter God. I enjoy exploring the Bible with others and that always brings new perspectives and thoughts – and sometimes questions. I try to listen to preachers who bring the Scriptures alive and use the web and CD resources. The Bible is not always easy or comfortable to read but I always look for it to be a place of encounter with God.
3. What does your regular practice of Bible reading look like?
Most mornings I will read the Bible as part of a time of prayer. At the moment I am following the Anglican lectionary readings but generally I prefer to read one passage rather than two or three (if the Psalm is included). The answer to the question above gives examples of how I try to read the Bible. I aim to focus on God in stillness at the outset of my prayer time before moving into a simple form of morning prayer with a Bible reading. Sometimes I move straight to the Bible reading, other times I may be so engrossed in prayer that I run out of time for the reading. I try not to beat myself up about consistency!
4. What would you say to a Christian who is struggling to read the Bible?
When I first started reading the Bible I found notes and guidance hugely helpful. Nowadays there are all kinds of resources – including podcasts – to help illuminate the Bible. Reading the Bible with others has always been helpful, and listening to people who can open up the passage.
5. What is your prayer for the Biblefresh initiative?
That Christians would rediscover what an incredible gift it is to us for transforming lives – our own and our society. That more and more people would find it a place of encounter with Jesus Christ.
I particularly pray that Biblefresh will increase understanding of what the Bible is and what it is not. There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the Bible (some of it stirred up willfully by mischievous atheists) which I hope can be addressed.
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