This booklet in the ‘Cultivating Biblical Godliness’ series is written by an associate professor of systematic theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in the US. The stated purpose of the series is to inform the mind, warm the affections and transform the whole person by the Spirit’s grace. This particular booklet provides practical suggestions to root the Bible in our hearts and for biblical truth to be expressed in our lives.
The 11 suggested methods are: systematic reading, meditation, regular daily private worship, prayer, hearing sermons, using the Scriptures, reading good books, using the catechism, listening to audio Bibles and psalters, family worship and direct memorisation. The author advises that all the methods suggested are more effective when combined, rather than employed in isolation.
The advice given is sensible, helpful and realistic. Awareness of the difficulties often encountered in Bible reading and Scripture memorisation is apparent. I appreciated the parallel made between learning a language and becoming more familiar with the Bible: the best way to learn is to immerse yourself in the language (i.e. the Bible) and use it as much as possible.
What comes across is the need to be active, perseverant and prayerful if we want God’s word to take root in us. This is so that we grow in grace, increasingly putting Scripture into practice in our lives, proclaiming it faithfully and clearly to others.
David Magowan
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