I am grateful for the opportunity I had, as a young man, to attend Multnomah University and Western Seminary—in the words of Rich Mullins, two institutions of “higher education and the book of love!” I am grateful for the grounding this time of training provided me in understanding Scripture and theology and Biblical languages. I am appreciative of instruction in spiritual formation and preaching and shepherding.

However, some of the richest instruction was in the courses that required the greatest amount of grappling. I recall a recent conversation where a spiritualist “teacher” assumed that in Bible College and Seminary I simply embraced anything and everything I was taught. This guy obviously didn’t know me. Truth is, I relate quite well with the title of a book I have been reading recently, The Skeptical Believer. I have always had to learn the hard way!

And yet, it seems that the lessons that come the hardest also stick the best. And one of the lessons that has definitely stuck best is the importance of reading the Bible as a whole story. Entering Bible College, I viewed Scripture more as a mish-mash of different inspired writings. But leaving Seminary, I came to see God’s Word as one epic story. I believe the more we embrace Scripture as God’s story, the better we are able to see how each of us are part of His epic narrative.

Let this post be a simple reminder of the centrality of Scripture in the life of the follower of Christ. As we read in Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Pastor Dan