Issue 766 – Hobby Horses – June 5, 2022
Every preacher and teacher has a hobby horse. By that, I mean that there are specific themes that repeatedly recur in their teaching. Climb aboard; I’m going to ride one of mine this morning.
Anyone who knows me is aware that I love to read. I am curious by nature, and I love words, so my reading tastes are eclectic. Some might even say weird. I know something about many things but am not the master of any subject.
I was recently perusing “The Household Cyclopedia of General Information, Containing ten thousand receipts in all the domestic arts, constituting a complete and practical library” by Henry Hartshorne M.D. published 1881. It contains recipes and formulas (receipts) for just about anything you can imagine for around the house or farmstead.
It isn’t the sort of book that one reads cover to cover. Like many such cyclopedias, it is designed to be read in sections when you need information on a particular topic. There is a great deal of nearly lost information contained within the pages, some of it good, while some are probably better off lost.
In our culture today, standards of literacy seem to be falling. According to one source, Adult Literacy in Canada,
“48% of adult Canadians have literacy skills that fall below a high school level, which negatively affects their ability to function at work and in their personal lives.”
“17% function at the lowest level, where they may, for example, be unable to read the dosage instructions on a medicine bottle.”
Those figures are dated and, I suspect, are optimistic. The declining literacy rates impact all areas of our society.
Even more disturbing is the dropping levels of biblical literacy. Even though 87% of adult households in the United States own a Bible, a recent Lifeway Research survey revealed Americans do not prioritize reading their Bible, saying they “don’t have time.” Only 11% of those surveyed said they’ve read all of the Bible once, while 30% said they’ve only read a few passages or stories.
While those numbers are across the board in U.S. households, I suspect that they closely match those of the churched population, including Christians.
We have the Scriptures available in more translations and formats readily available to any English-speaking (and most major languages) person. Yet, we don’t take the time to read them.
The Scriptures are also readily available in audio formats. Even if our reading skills are not the best, we can still enjoy all of the Bible.
If we don’t have the time to read (or listen to) our Bible, we need to seriously evaluate how we spend it.
Can we live as Christians without the Bible? Yes, but we live seriously stunted lives of faith.
God has given us His Word to teach us and help us know Him better. In the familiar words of Paul to Timothy,
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which can make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
The Scriptures teach us and assure us. The Word of the Lord does not change when our circumstances change. It is truth anchored in the One who is Truth.
If you have never read the Bible, start today. There are plenty of reading plans available. If you tried and stopped, try again. Reread it if you have read the Word from cover to cover. Every time I read the Scriptures cover to cover, God, reveals something about Himself that I missed (or forgot) along the way.
Until next time, may you “Red the Word, read the Word, read the Word” and be blessed.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
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