Bible Studies

Stop Reading the Bible

by Andrew Tuttle
03/11/21
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In the past, whenever I visited a national landmark, museum or place of interest that displayed those bronze plaques describing the nature of why that specific spot was so important, I’d read the plaque like it was homework.

If there were five other plaques, I’d read those too. After all, I was learning history and perhaps some trivia, right?

It wasn’t until not too long ago, I stopped reading those things. I may glance over the words but I’ve stopped the pressure on myself to learn about this particular piece of history so inscribed on various rusty-looking plaques. I also recently concluded why I didn’t particularly enjoy school - it’s the same reason I stopped reading those historical markers.

I just don’t retain anything.

I don’t know if that’s common for everyone or just my own mental comprehension. Even after reading about a specific subject whether it’s in high school, college, or casual learning, later I’d forgot most of what I read. I studied a lot in school, but I do not have a photographic memory. Indeed, frustration mounts after putting in the work without reaping the rewards.

Those historical plaques I mentioned? Believe me, I’ve read a number of them strategically placed commemorating battlefields or introducing a war memorial but I’ve got no clue what they say. Something about Lewis and Clarke landed here? I haven’t the foggiest.

This “skill” I’d rather not have applies to reading the Bible too.

But the obvious finally hit me. A sermon that that had nothing to do with a failure to retain did feature James 4:1-3 as part of the study displayed in all its glory on the big overhead screen above the congregation. It reads:

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

My first thought: There’s the answer to most of the world’s mental illnesses. How come I’ve never read those verses?

My second thought: I’ve read the entire New Testament. Twice! I cannot recall ever reading those verses. In fact, I’ve also read all of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Some years ago I attempted a “Read the Bible in a Year” schedule and dropped out after a few weeks. Way down on the list of whatever bucket list I carry in my head is to read the entire Bible. But I digress.

Well, not anymore. I am no longer reading the Bible.

The sermon included a charge to open the Bible and read a verse. Just a verse. Two if you want. And, you might re-read that verse twice and then dissect that verse – because there is so much information in one verse. This method of study is not new to me.

Always in my haste, I want to read the Bible. Power through Matthew on my way past Acts and finally after a week finish Revelation and pat myself on the back. My Bible even contains study notes but I found those little nuggets of information more like roadblocks on my way to finishing the novel of Romans.

Someday, I figured, I’d eventually tackle and get through what is for me the slog of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, etc.  Meanwhile, I am sure I’ve read 2 John, 3 John and Jude many times. I can check the boxes on those books in less than an hour – combined.

The reality is I’ve read James 4 several times. Thus the problem. I read it. I quickly moved on to James 5 and eased my way through the Peters.

Well, now I’m going to study James 4. I may study it again next week too.

I’ve finally stopped reading the Bible.

Now, I will study the Bible.