Today’s subject is Ignorance
As with context, Biblical ignorance is rampant among non-believers and believers alike. The Bible may be the best selling book of all time, but I wonder if it is not the most unread. It is so easy to quote something out of context when you haven’t read that from which you are quoting. I suspect that most people who abuse the Bible, when challenged, will probably tell you that they are simply quoting something they heard from someone else. And those that have cracked open the Word of God, probably have only read a handful of verses from here and there and never read a whole chapter, a whole book, much less the whole Bible.
For those who have not read it, let me tell you what it is. The Bible is a collection of 66 books divided into two sections; an old and a new testament. (A testament is an agreement or a promise.) These books were penned from about 1500 B.C. to 95 A.D., a period of more that one thousand five hundred years. There were at least 40 different people who wrote these books. The writers included shepherds, landowners, a tent maker, prophets, scholars, a doctor, priests, soldiers, a cup bearer, fishermen, and kings. It was written primarily in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) on three continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe). And the singular message of this book from beginning to end is the redemption of mankind by its Saviour, Jesus the Christ. It’s amazing. It really is.
Like any book, these books should be read contiguously from beginning to end, except perhaps, the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs; these should at least be read contiguously by chapter. What author in the world expects his or her readers to start reading in the middle or the end and only a sentence or phrase at a time?
But mainly, the underlying point is that a book is meant to be read and the Bible is no exception. Which writer (except perhaps me) expects their works to be left unread? So if you have one, for what are you waiting? I know they look pretty sitting on your shelf, but let me assure you it is far more beautiful on the inside. Actually there is beauty and terror, love and hate, poetry and prophecy, life and death and the death of death. You will never read a more fascinating book than the Bible.
For those who have read, let me apologize for coming off the way I am. If you continue to read my posts, you will recognize a common theme. Read and Pray, Read and Pray, Read and Pray…. This is probably why I have no friends. But if you have read the Bible, read it again. I won’t let a day go by without reading His Word. If I go blind, I’ll have it read to me. If I lose my hearing too, I’ll learn Braille. Every time I go through it I learn something new. This is the only way to combat Biblical ignorance.
Listen. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not the sharpest tool in the shed. But there is no better way for me to flaunt my ignorance than by quoting from or voicing my opinion about a piece of literature I have not read. In a situation like this it is far better to keep my opinions to myself.
“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” – Proverbs 17:28
One of my favourite verses.
So probably next week I’d like to address the comment that started this post in the first place. Let’s find out exactly what a woman is worth. Stay tuned for A Couple of Goats part 4.
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