Why do we read the Scriptures? In this article, which was originally published at Suite101.Com. The author discusses three reasons why the reading of Scriptures is necessary: (a) because it is nourishment for the faith; (b) because it allows us to read the meaning of our daily lives, and (c) because it allows us to have fellowship with one another, anchored on the One Christ proclaimed by the apostles.
The importance of Holy Scriptures in the life of a Christian is undeniable. The Scriptures themselves bear testimony to this importance. I will give just three examples here with some commentary:
"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)"
Paul here, writes to Timothy, whom we know has been ordained as a minister of his Church (1 Tim). The keyword in the passage cited above relevant for our purpose is "profitable." Timothy, being a leader of the Church and responsible for its upbringing in the faith of the apostles is directed to "continue in what you have learned and firmly believed" (2 Tim 3:15). The Scriptures which "instruct unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ" is a necessary means by which to carry out his particular mission (cf. 1 Tim. 4:13-15: "...attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching... Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."). And especially at a time when the teachings of the apostle Paul is being undermined by the false witness and proclamation of others, the Scriptures (together with the memory of Paul and his teachings) is a sure guide to faith in Jesus Christ. The "profitability" of Scriptures lies precisely in this: that during trying times when other believers are easily led astray, the constant reading of Scriptures aids the man of God to stand firm "to be complete, equipped for every good work." It is profitable because the Spirit of God has been breathed into it (this seems to be the meaning of theopneustos, a hapax in the Bible), and being thus, is capable to making men understand the "things of God". This passage is especially directed to ministers of the Church, whether clerical or lay, who are daily bombarded with the questions and anxieties of their flock (whether growing or diminishing).
The Story of the Two Disciples Walking to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35) is primarily a conversion story; but within this conversion story, we find the importance of Scriptures underlined. The story tells how two disciples frustrated by the Death of the Lord on the Cross and confused by the testimony about the disappearance of the Lord's Body, walk away from Jerusalem, the place of salvation. Along the way, the Lord meets them, engages them in dialogue, and finally, reveals Himself to them (at dinner!). When the Lord disappears, the two disciples realize that this new disclosure began when the Risen Lord opened the Scriptures to them. Having "seen" the Lord, they return to Jerusalem, where they are met by Peter's proclamation that the Lord has indeed risen.
This story might well be a historical detail (something factual) that Luke has rewritten to suit a theological purpose. We know that the Resurrection Narratives confess the apostolic faith on the Lord's Rising from the Dead. In Luke 24: 27, the theological ground for this faith is underlined: the Lord's resurrection has been foretold in the whole of Scriptures as read and interpreted by Jesus Himself. In the light of this passage the mystery of the Messiah who attains his glory through suffering becomes clear: "Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory (v.26)?" But the disciples -- slow in faith and blurred in vision -- had to be shown this through the pages of Scriptures. This lesson from Luke illustrates how necessary the reading of Scriptures is for Christian life which is and must be a life of on-going conversion. A greater number of believers fall away from the faith not really because of "cleverly devised doctrines" but because of the experience of evil -- the death of someone loved, the sufferings caused by another... Like the two disciples going to Emmaus (= away from salvation), they must see the significance of the events of their lives in the light of the Lord who suffered, died, was buried ... and who rose from the dead!
" What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life-- for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us-- what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete 1 John 1:1-4)"
At first glance, this passage would look irrelevant for our purpose. There is no mention of Scriptures as in the other two examples above. But if we think of Scriptures -- especially the New Testament -- as apostolic proclamation in written canonical form, then this passage opens a lot of room for reflection and discussion on the topic we are discussing. Notice that in this opening passage from the first letter of John, the writing of the letter is understood as being in continuity with the proclamation of that Life which the author has seen and touched with his hands. This proclamation has effected a bond between the one who proclaimed and those who have received the proclamation (the addresees of the present letter), a bond which is identified as "fellowship" (in Gk. koinonia which is also translated as "communion"). From the tone of the whole letter, this "fellowship" is being tried and in some areas, it has broken up. The letter, in fact, was written so that those who are still in fellowship may not be led astray. This is the full force of verse 4: "We are writing this so that our joy (in the fellowship that we have with the Father, Son and the Spirit) may be complete (with you being there)." Seen from the perspective of the author, then, the letter is an extension of his proclamation of the mystery of Life that has been made manifest. From the perspective of the reader, the letter, like the proclamation first heard from the apostle, must be taken seriously: "My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin (1 Jn. 2:1)." To abide in what is written there, is to live in fellowship with the letter's author and God. This is one aspect of the reading of Scriptures which is often missed in situations where Christians of different denominations defend their fidelity to the Scriptures against the infidelity of the other. The fact is, that a sincere reading of the Scriptures should bring Christians closer to one another inspite of perceived differences. Ecumenism, if it is to succeed, must be rooted in a deep and reverent study of the Scriptures. Without it, no dialogue among Christians can become fruitful, for by reading the Scriptures, we strengthen our bonds of fellowship with the community that is "faithful to the preaching of the apostles."
To summarize what we have been discussing so far, we can say that the reading of the Scriptures is necessary for our lives as Christians because...
- it is a nourishment for the faith that is grounded on the proclamation of the apostles. Through the reading and proclamation of Scriptures, the Church is built up, encouraged and instructed in the ways of God;
- it allows us to see the significance of our daily lives from the perspective of the Mystery of Christ's Death and Resurrection. The Scriptures provide us with a key that unlocks the riddle of evil in our day-to-day existence; and finally,
- it opens up to us a means of fellowship not only with the God of Life, but also with those who recognize this Life in Jesus Christ proclaimed and confessed by the apostles.
