The Bible: From Boring To Transforming

The Bible: From Boring to Transforming

“Honestly, reading the Bible is boring,” says 16 year old Micha, “I like the stories and stuff but don’t see how it applies to my life.” This outlook of scripture is all too common among young people today. Micha represents a generation where all good things come in small screens, where satisfaction is based on speed, and where attention is unnecessary to succeed. This modern era has rejected patience and stillness for business and productivity, even when no end goal is in mind. It is in these time that the Bible has more to offer us than ever before. When the slippery mire of civilization offers no solid ground, the solid rock of truth shines like gold to the man atop it. Yet, this generation prefers

I have my memorized verses down for the whole homosexuality argument and everything, but I guess I could learn more so I can defend more doctrine?” Micha continued to explain, now convinced that reading the Bible just to impress other people was the wrong way to approach it. “Micha, I think you may still be missing the point, I don’t believe God wants us to use the Bible to defend our viewpoints.” The boy looked confused again, surely the Bible should be read and memorized to “give an answer to anyone who asks”, as Peter states in 1 Peter 3:15. In his mind, that’s what all the super-Christians in the media do, stand up at debates and make grandiose defenses of the scripture. The academic approach to scripture is taught with from a very young age. For example, in kindergarten “sword drills”, where the class competes to get to the assigned verse first. The academic mentality is another use of scripture, where the sword of the spirit is used solely for smashing down arguments rather than building up truth. “Consider the end of that verse Micha, 1 Peter 3:15. ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’ It would seem to me that a purely academic approach to scripture would make it difficult to treat those who do not believe it with gentleness and respect.” It is not very difficult to find endless

What am I missing?” Here is the turning point of young Micha, having reached the point where he knows these previous approaches to scripture do not bring about the heart transformation Jesus desires for us. “Micha, I believe that scripture is meant to be received in a way that molds our lives into the image of Jesus, not used to accomplish this goal in ourselves. I use the term ‘more’ because I believe that we are called to do one of the most difficult things a human being can do as we approach scripture, lay down our pride and open our minds.” Ezekiel highlights this when he tells Israel about God’s gift for them. "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 Here it is apparent that God does the work of changing our hearts. When we approach the scripture, it should be in humility, ready to receive this gift of a new heart from God. When we approach the scripture to let it mold us, something special begins to happen in the heart of man. True change, heart change, from the inside