If you are doing the Summer Reading Challenge, by now you have probably finished Knowing Scripture, and are beginning The Holiness of God.

Some of my favorite quotations from Knowing Scripture:

“We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.” (p. 17)

“But what happens when there is a conflict between what God says and what I feel? We must do what God says, like it or not. That is what Christianity is all about… To be sure, knowledge of God’s Word does not guarantee that we will do what it says, but at least we will know what we are supposed to be doing in our quest for human fulfillment. The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in.” (pp. 29-30)

“Ultimately the main reason why we should study the Bible is because it is our duty… A duty is not an option.” (p. 31)

“Private Bible study is an important means of grace for the Christian. It is a privilege and a duty for all of us. In his grace and kindness toward us God has provided not only gifted teachers in his church to assist us, but his own Holy Spirit to illumine his Word and search out its application to our lives. To sound teaching and diligent study, God gives blessing.” (p. 43)

And remember Sproul’s Rules For Biblical Interpretation:

1. The Bible Is to Be Read Like Any Other Book
2. Read the Bible Existentially
3. Historical Narratives Are to Be Interpreted by the Didactic
4. The Implicit Is to Be Interpreted by the Explicit
5. Determine Carefully the Meaning of Words
6. Note the Presence of Parallelisms in the Bible
7. Note the Difference between Proverb and Law
8. Observe the Difference between the Spirit and the Letter of the Law
9. Be Careful with Parables
10. Be Careful with Predictive Prophecy

I would love to know: how did you enjoy Knowing Scripture? What did you get out of it? How has it changed the way you read your Bible?

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