Reading Books

When reading the Bible — or any book, really — a word or phrase or even a paragraph or an entire chapter is attempting to paint a picture. Omitting any of those items would leave an empty space on the canvas, leaving us to guess or even make nonsense of the whole creative work. Unlike making conclusions from what we are being exposed to, reading requires an absorption, a retention, and a construction which will arrange in our minds a complete panorama — and hopefully fulfilling the author’s hope — whether a work of fact, fantasy, or fiction. Categorize the Bible in whatever section of the Library you wish, but read it as I have suggested you read any book.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”

That eyewitness account kinda makes this go in the History section of the Library, doesn’t it?