Currently on my mind...

I recently purchased a new devotional... it's called Coffee with God written by Sarah Arthur. In today's devotion she says, 

'Often when I sit down to write these devos, I'm tempted to hunt around for those select scripture verses that buttress my worldview or strengthen some argument, rather than engage the Bible on its own terms.'

I love that. How true it is! Too often we look for the particular verse or story to help build an argument... often times this turns into taking a verse out of context which in the end only causes greater problems. God is not impressed with with our ability to spin and weave an argument from bits and pieces of the Bible. He wants us to know the WHOLE THING. The beginning, the end, and everything in between. When we read, we truly need to come to the Word in His terms... with open hearts and minds- ready for surprises... ready for Him to blow our minds. In 2 Timothy we read that 

¹⁶  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Here's the thing though... if we don't know it to its completeness, how can we use it to teach or even argue?

You've got to know it. You've got to know every aspect of it to be able to truly defend both the Bible and your faith. 

This is the point where I have a thought contrary to some... I have in fact, read most of the Harry Potter books. (I've even seen the movies.) Now I know that seems shocking as most know that I was raised in a home where we weren't even allowed to watch 'Bewitched'. Honestly though, I'm really not even a fan of Harry Potter stuff. However, it's become a great point of discussion between believers and nonbelievers... and sometimes even between believers and other believers. I will stand by my opinion that I don't think it's really a great book to devote time to reading, nor would I really want my kids reading it until they were old enough to truly comprehend the literature (but that's a different topic to be discussed in person).  I digress... I am not a fan of Harry Potter books, therefore I read them and watch the movies. Wait, What?! 

When I do get into a discussion about such literature; I have to be able to defend both my viewpoint and my faith. I may have to make assertions about the books and/or movies to help defend my viewpoint... and if I don't know the books/movies, how can I make educated arguments for or against? If I were to get into an argument with J.K Rowling about the topic of her books and had not read them, I would look like a bumbling fool. How does that help my life's testimony? 

In the same way, if we were to get into an argument with an atheist who has read the Bible cover to cover (yea... some do that just so they can try and prove you wrong) , but did not know it well enough to defend my faith, once again we look like bumbling fools.

And so we come back to the importance of studying the Word.

My prayer is that we come to the Word with open hearts and minds... that we may understand it fully (or as much as our human minds can possibly comprehend) and be able to defend it... seeing both sides of the argument-- and yet professing the superiority of Christ both from the word, and in our lives. 

-Kristina