Pictures and Windows

In the last few days, we’ve underlined the importance of properly understanding the Bible, but, as Pete points out, ‘head knowledge does not necessarily transfer to the heart.’

In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul emphasises that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Knowledge on its own will not bring us closer to God. We must learn to read the Bible with our hearts, as well as our heads:

‘I emerged from undergraduate studies in theology and sociology with a head full of knowledge about the Bible, and a diminished capacity to hear God speak through its pages... I knew that I needed to rediscover the art of reading the Bible with the eyes of my heart, not just with the eyes of reason, so that God could speak to me in whatever way he saw fit…'

Jews have two approaches to the Torah. The first is analytical and seeks to discover the one objective, true meaning of the text. This is reading with our heads. But the second is more subjective in that it seeks the deeper and more personal spiritual meaning. This is reading with our hearts. The writer Evelyn Underhill says that we can approach the Bible as either a picture or a window. Sometimes God’s Word is there simply to be studied with admiration and fascination, like a great work of art. But if we only ever do this, we are committing idolatry – worshipping the Bible itself. God has given us the Bible to point us beyond the Bible. That’s why it’s essential (I can’t say this strongly enough) that we learn how to approach the Bible as a window frame as well as a picture frame, not just looking at it, but also through it to the world, and the Word, beyond.

So how do we actually, practically, do this? …Well, the most powerful tool I have ever discovered, one that has revolutionized my own personal relationship with the Bible and has become the model for the devotional I help to write, record and release each day, is the ancient tradition of lectio divina– the slow, prayerful reading of Scripture.’

We’ll be looking at the practical steps of lectio divina in tomorrow’s devotional. For now, let’s pray.

Lord, thank you that you want to meet me in my heart, as well as my head. Help me to recognise the ‘windows’ you are opening in my life. I want to see you.

Amen