At the beginning of 2024, I embarked on further editing to update the book I had written in 2021 - "Reading the New Testament in A Year, A Devotional Commentary". I had labored in writing that book for over 18 months, but I wanted to update it in terms of content, accuracy, and clarity. It was my desire to make sure this book represents the best of my abilities to understand the scripture in light of my own spiritual journey. Over the years, I have continued to write on biblical subjects and teach from the Bible. In retirement, I’ve had more time to look at the overall nature of this New Testament Devotional Commentary, and while I’m pleased with the original documents, I realized that more can be gained by better editing and clearer messaging. Is it important? I believe it is, and the reason why is this:
The Word of God is inseparably linked to God. The Psalmist said it clearly:
“I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word” (Psalm 138:2).
As we read Scripture, we recognize that God is
the “great mover” in all revelation. The
Bible is written over a two-thousand-year period of time, and the teachers of
Our Scriptures, the Bible, have been learning and expounding the Scripture for four thousand
years. We have much to gain from those
who have preceded us. The devotional
commentary I wrote a few years ago was not written in a vacuum but has gained much help from those who
have devoted their lives to understanding the Bible. Today’s church has often forgotten the many
saints, teachers, and scholars, that have been at work since Jesus birthed the
Church in the first century. In reading
the “Fathers” of the Church, from the 1st century through the 20th
century, we gain great insight into the development of the Church’s
understanding of the story of the Bible.
The Church’s history is a rich source of understanding the Bible in
various seasons and times. Writing in
the 21st century does not mean we only gain an understanding of the
Scripture in the present time. Rather,
we gain much more from those whose writings and understanding preceded us –
regardless of what century they lived in.
I’m editing and re-writing my book so that every person
willing to read the New Testament will be able to grasp the context and understand
the story, or teaching, it contains. I
did not want to make it either too simple or too complicated. Thus, I’ve not tried to include every aspect
of doctrine, or orthodox teaching that belongs with the text. That work will be left for those who are
willing to seek more information than is contained in these daily
devotionals.
In the end, the New Testament represents the
New Covenant God has gifted to His Church, the people of God who believe in
Jesus Christ and His Church. We are a
part of the story even though the New Testament was written in
the first century. We continue to live
out the New Testament, as well as the whole Bible’s story of God who is
actively restoring His creation, and through the mercy of God, has sent his one
and only Son, Jesus Christ, to save His people from their Sin and bring them
into the fellowship of His Church, the Bride of Christ.
I'd like to ask you to pray for me as I begin this process. I've just begun, but I can already feel how daunting the task before me will be. Your prayers will mean everything to me.
Peace
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