Studying Scripture
After a short break from blogging, I want to return to the idea that Jesus is the end or goal of all the revelation in Scripture. As we read, we must refocus our understanding in a way that leads us to the conclusion God chose for His revelation of Himself to humanity.
This is called a “Christotelic” approach to Scripture, and it is especially important when we read the Law, Wisdom and Prophets. If we neglect the lens of Jesus we can become legalistic, judgmental, and wrong! This was the error of the Pharisees and legal experts in Jesus’ day.
Instead we embrace the same heart as the Bereans in Acts 17:11: they are of noble character and open minded, hungry to learn and eagerly received the word.
The Greek word translated “open minded” is prothumia which means “forward-minded” or “ready and willing to move forward with what God shows me.” This godly attitude is fostered by allowing ourselves to be challenged out of entrenched thinking by further revelation through the Holy Spirit. Remember how Jesus promised that Holy Spirit would teach us all things and remind us of all Jesus said? (John 14:26).
On the road to Emmaus, Jesus did the same thing: opening the minds of His disciples to unveil the revelation of Himself in all the scriptures.
I have previously recommended Brad Jersak’s book “A More Christlike Word” along with Peter Enns’ “How the Bible Actually Works”.
Today I thought I would add a few more books I appreciate that will help you develop or expand your Christotelic mindset and become more Berean in your reading of scripture and relationship with God.
Michael Bird’s very readable little book “Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About The Bible” is another I have recommended before: it challenges several of our “sacred cows” when it comes to reading scripture the Jesus way.
Dallas Willard’s classic “The Divine Conspiracy” is not strictly about reading scripture, but it certainly helps to challenge our unbiblical misconceptions of God and our relationship with Him. I make it my goal to re-read it every year.
“The New Testament In Its World” by N.T. Wright and Michael Bird is destined to become a classic, and is full of theological rigor combined with Berean insight. Wright’s “Surprised By Scripture” is also well worth reading.
For perspectives on the failure of the Church to live out the Gospel of the Kingdom, I recommend Roger Mitchell’s “The Fall Of The Church” as well as his “Church, Gospel, and Empire”.
Finally, Roger Forster and Paul Marston’s “God’s Strategy In Human History” is a deeply and thoroughly argued reasoning for a broader view of God’s redemptive scheme, that complements the other titles I have listed.
Disclaimer: don’t try to read them all at once!
Happy reading!