Why Read the Bible: To Learn How to Read the Bible

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

–John 5.32-40 (NIV)

In today’s passage we get guidance about reading the Bible. Imagine that. The Bible teaches us how to read it so that we can profit from it. In refuting the skepticism of his opponents, Jesus tells us that there are plenty of witnesses who testify to the veracity of his claims to be who he says he is. One of those witnesses is Scripture itself. Of course, Jesus did not have in mind the New Testament as it wouldn’t have been written yet. We don’t know exactly which Scriptures Jesus had in mind, but it is not unreasonable to believe that he had the entire scope of the Old Testament in mind when he made this statement. That is why from the very beginning the Church has always read Scripture through the lens of belief that the OT consistently and ultimately speaks of Jesus beyond the immediate context of the text.

But we miss Jesus’ main point about Scripture if we spend our time wondering what specific passages he had in mind here. The important thing to note is how to approach Scripture. Our Lord reminds us that approaching the text with suspicion or disbelief will not yield a thing for us. When we approach Scripture with a closed mind, it shouldn’t surprise us that we get nothing from it. Reading Scripture with a closed mind or with the intent of imposing our own values and conceptions on it effectively puts us over Scripture and that simply won’t do because Scripture is God’s Word to us. Creatures never have the liberty to put themselves over their Creator!

However, when we approach Scripture with a humble spirit and an open mind, when we ask God to enlighten us through his Word, then we will surely profit by it. We have the witness of countless Christians, past and present, that confirms this. It is perfectly acceptable to have doubts and questions. Our Lord never turned away anyone who had honest doubts and questions. But that is not the same as approaching Scriptures with a closed mind and/or a cynical spirit. We shouldn’t expect to gain anything using that approach.

Think of those times when others treated you with a cynical or condescending attitude. How did you feel about that? How did it shape the way you responded to them? The same thing holds true when we read Scripture. Our Lord never turns away those who truly seek him with a humble spirit and open mind. He has no use for those who approach him with suspicion, cynicism, and/or condescension, however.

If you want to learn the wondrous hope that is the Gospel, a hope that will sustain you even in your darkest hours, you surely can if you approach Scripture with a right mind and open Spirit. After all, God wants each of us to come to know and love him so that we can know him to be good to his word and able to deliver on his promises to end our exile and alienation from him.

Are you reading Scripture in this way?