I understand the desire to skip over the Word and go straight to the good interpreters. But I know these men of whom you speak are among those who point past themselves to the Word of life, without which we and they are nothing. Everyone's situation is different, and I'm in no position to say "do this and not that" or "do more of this and less of that." Partly because I don't know your situation, and partly because I know I myself need to spend more time in the Word. We must all search our hearts, and search the scriptures more. That doesn't mean we have to read only the Word to the exclusion of godly, uninspired men. Even the Apostle Paul took time to read outside the Scriptures. But all things in their proper proportion, as Baxter says, the Scriptures must have preeminence. We love the writings of godly men because they help to appreciate the Scriptures more, and not the other way around. All our loves -- whether they be family, friends, books, music, the PB, or whatever -- must be subordinated to our love of God and his self-revelation. When this is done, all else falls into place.
Read Psalm 119. That's a great place to start fresh. Each stanza is a bite-sized section that you can read, study, meditate upon, and even sing. And one thing you will find impressed upon you again and again is how the Psalmist loves the Word. It is more precious to him than anything else. It is his greatest comfort, and surest foundation in times of trial.
When the martyrs of old had their Bibles taken from them, they had Psalms and other Scriptures memorized. They hid the Word in their hearts as it were. And so they were faithful to this teaching:
Psalm 119.11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Links and Downloads Manager - Christian Walk Links - Useful Directions for Reading and Searching the Scriptures - The PuritanBoard Links and Downloads Manager - Christian Walk Links - How We May Read the Scriptures With Most Spiritual Profit (Part I) - The PuritanBoard Links and Downloads Manager - Christian Walk Links - How We May Read the Scriptures With Most Spiritual Profit (Part II) - The PuritanBoard Advice On Reading Paul—his Cloak and His Books
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Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor,
The Matthew Poole Project
"On land, at sea, at home, abroad, / I smoke my pipe and worship God." -- J.S. Bach