Apr 14 2008
Put down the books and pick up the Book
In noting the coming publication of the ESV Study Bible, Keith Edwards provides a healthy reminder of the potential drawback to the concept of study Bibles. In his post, “Another Study Bible??” over at Live Life! International, Keith reminds us of the danger inherent in placing commentary next to the biblical text within the covers of a Bible. As he notes, too often Christians uncritically accept the notes as the undisputed meaning of a biblical text.
I was raised in a church setting where the Scofield Reference Bible reigned supreme (this is now many years ago), and on more than one occasion I saw a Bible question settled by appealing to the notes of C.I. Scofield. I am not questioning the godly character of Scofield (or of a MacArthur, Ryrie or any other evangelical who has published a study Bible), but like Keith Edwards, I do question the wisdom of placing our interpretations on the same page as God’s Word within a bound, published copy of the Bible. Far too often, well-meaning Christians begin to accept the notes as the interpretation of a biblical text. For this very reason, I have never used a study Bible.
The popularity of Study Bibles may be indicative of a deeper problem within the Christian community. That problem is one of craving a knowledge about the Bible, including the views of our favorite preachers and teachers, rather than wrestling with the Biblical text itself.
For example, a friend of mine, one with many years experience teaching in several Bible Colleges and Seminaries, recently expressed frustration with the manner in which many professors approach teaching. Too many professors, he believes, begin their teaching by requiring students to read the latest books and discussions about a given subject. My friend says students should begin by reading the Scriptures. In support of that view, he normally requires his students to develop their own biblical theology of a given subject before ever opening a commenatry or theological text. He does not encourage ignoring those books and writers, but he does require that they grapple with the Biblical text first.
Perhaps it’s time for all of us to put down the books and to pick up the Book.