Christians need no other reason to be avid readers of the Word of God. Realizing that Scripture is “God-breathed” is motivation enough. Immediately, we see a connection between the living Word and the written Word. Just as Jesus Christ the living Word is an ever present and dynamic reality, the written Word is equally alive and active through the mind of the Holy Spirit. Every time we open the Scriptures, we should expect a personal encounter with the God-breathed Spirit of the living Word. This is reading at its very best. When the mind and spirit of a biblical author interact in vibrant dialogue with the mind and spirit of a reader, the highest purpose of the inspired Word is fulfilled. We should soar every time we read the Word of God.

David McKenna (b. 1929), Präsident christlicher Hochschulen und Seminare, Autor

Related Bible passage: 2TI.3.16

Topics: The Bible & the Word of God, Prayer & Silence, Wisdom & Understanding

Occasions: For Reflection

David McKenna

David Loren McKenna (* 1929) ist ein US-amerikanischer methodistischer Theologe, Pädagoge und Autor, der über drei Jahrzehnte lang als Präsident verschiedener christlicher Hochschulen und Seminare wirkte. Er prägte die evangelikale Bildungslandschaft maßgeblich und widmete sich in zahlreichen Büchern vor allem Fragen von Gemeindeleitung und dienender Leiterschaft. Für Bibellesende sind vor allem seine Kommentarbände und Auslegungen von Bedeutung, die theologische Einsichten mit konkreten Anwendungen für die Lebens- und Leiterschaftspraxis verbinden.

All quotes by David McKenna (7)

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The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.

Martin Luther

The law is divine and holy. Let the law have its glory, but yet no law, be it never so divine and holy, ought to teach me that I am justified, and shall live through it. I grant it may teach me that I ought to love God and my neighbor; also to live in love, soberness, patience, etc., but it ought not to show me how I should be delivered from sin, the devil, death, and hell. Here I must take counsel of the gospel. I must hearken to the gospel, which teaches me, not what I ought to do but what Jesus Christ the Son of God hath done for me: that He suffered and died to deliver me from sin and death. The gospel wills me to receive this, and to believe it. And this is the truth of the gospel. Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually.

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Jesus was not a theologian. He was God who told stories.

Madeleine L'Engle

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