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Last week, I met a lovely retired teacher in her late sixties. In the conversation, she expressed how proud she was that, finally, she was able to read through the Bible in a year. She said, "I have heard parts of it through my life as a Catholic attending church. But I am understanding it so much better by going through all of it in a year." She went on to explain that she also is attending Bible studies through her parish.
It is interesting to realize that the whole Bible can be listened to in only seventy-two hours. Since experts report that the average American watches twenty-eight hours of TV weekly, that is the equivalent of watching under three weeks of TV. So, it is not so daunting as it initially sounds! Personally, I love listening to the dramatized NIV Bible, and that is free through the internet!
A Gallup poll based on phone interviews from May 3rd to 7th, 2017, shows that "26%" of Americans believe the Bible is only "a book of secular stories, fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man." However, that same percentage believes that Scripture is the divine revelation of God Himself (news.Gallup.com). I stand firmly in that second group, especially after a lifetime of reading, studying the Word, and seeing God completely transform lives, including my own.
After the last couple years that we, as a world, have experienced, 2022 presents a meaningful opportunity to explore our own Bible adventure. I have met people who say, "I do not believe the Bible," but when asked, they admit they have actually not even read it cover to cover.
Before opening the Bible, the skeptic can pray, "Lord, I do not even know if you are there. But, if you are, please reveal yourself to me through your Word." Coming to the Bible with an open mind and heart and asking for God's guidance often leads to marvelous faith.
Each book of the Bible reveals God. In the first five books, we see God many ways: as creator, lover of humanity, deliverer, lawgiver, organizer, conqueror, and provider. In the poetic books, God is seen as teacher, instructor, restorer, and wooing lover. Then through the historic and prophetic books, He is king-maker, master, sovereign, helper, mover, prophesier, director, and the unseen hand. He is not a puppeteer; although creator, His creation remains free to go their own way and do their own will. That becomes painfully apparent as early as Genesis.
Moving to the New Testament, we see Him as a prophecy fullfiller as He sends us Jesus. And Jesus, the magnificent, is redeemer, healer, reconciler, friend, vision caster, death defier, and victor.
Along this amazing spiritual walk, we realize that we can know who and why we are here because we understand who and why He is! In days of confusion, doubt, and paralyzing fear, it is time to get back to the basics. When we approach God through the Bible, in humility and surrender and prayerfully ask Him to increase our faith, what can happen? We can answer that question at the end of 2022, after dedicating this year to careful, prayerful reading of God's inspired Bible!
Rebecca Logan is a retired UPMC Chaplain and current volunteer. She attends Lycoming Valley Baptist Church.