This is a local
ELCA pastor in Fayetteville. I quote what he says, then reply after. http://lutheranconfessions.blogspot.com/2012/03/on-not-reading-bible.html
“In truth, far fewer people read the bible than claim to, and it is incredibly common for active Christians to not spend time reading the bible on their own at all. I have a feeling that in point of fact, on a functional level, much of Christianity already relies on something other than external authority ( the Bible ), because people just don't read the bible that much. The bible has authority among us more in theory than practice. Do you agree?”
“In truth, far fewer people read the bible than claim to, and it is incredibly common for active Christians to not spend time reading the bible on their own at all. I have a feeling that in point of fact, on a functional level, much of Christianity already relies on something other than external authority ( the Bible ), because people just don't read the bible that much. The bible has authority among us more in theory than practice. Do you agree?”
Good, bad or indifferent, I tend to read as part of something else or because of something else, like he says here…
“I honestly believe that my own understanding of (and standing under) the authority of Scripture arises out of my practice not of reading the scriptures directly, but indirectly as it were through great works of theology. “
I find I read more or dig more in the Scriptures when I'm wrestling through something or I’m reading someone ( blog or book ) who is quoting passages or is explaining doctrine, I will dig in my Bible to get the fullness of what is being discussed. Or with Lent ( which I’ve been slack lately ) it is something external that drives me to the Scriptures.
It seems in Reformed and some Fundamental circles, “knowing” your Bible or doctrine is expected. I wonder if I was less exposed to folks at church or didn’t read so much about religion on blogs, would I still “be in the Word” or do I rely on external forces to “help” me?
