{"id":713,"date":"2017-12-20T16:16:31","date_gmt":"2017-12-20T16:16:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/?p=713"},"modified":"2019-03-18T16:05:29","modified_gmt":"2019-03-18T16:05:29","slug":"reading-the-word-of-god-introduction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/reading-the-word-of-god-introduction\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading the Word of God – Introduction"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The translation of the Bible into the vernacular \u2014 into the everyday language of common people \u2014 was one of the greatest and most far-reaching accomplishments of the Reformation. As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Luther posting the 95 theses, we might also recall that following that event in the year 1517, other events ensured that the Reformation would leave a permanent mark on the Christian church. To name only a few, we might include Luther\u2019s three great treatises of 1520 (To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, The Freedom of the Christian Man and The Babylonian Captivity of the Church), Luther\u2019s catechisms of\u00a01529 and the Augsburg Confession of 1530 by Philip Melanchthon. But we also cannot omit Luther\u2019s translation of the Bible into German, with his publication\u00a0of the New Testament in 1522 and the entire Bible in 1534. \u00a0The German Bible and the Catechisms enabled the Reformation to extend deeply into the mind and life of the laity.<\/p>\n

During ongoing discussions between representatives of the Lutheran Church\u2014Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, the participants agreed on two foundational matters. \u00a0 First, we came to a common understanding of the Holy Scriptures. In so doing, we adopted a document titled \u201cGod\u2019s Word Forever Shall Abide: A Guiding Statement on the Character and Proper Use of the Sacred Scriptures\u201d (appended below, issuu.com\/ thelcms\/docs\/jlm-september-2016\/6). That document has been circulated within our three church bodies to widespread approval. Second, we agreed that, to a great degree, the membership in each of our church bodies suffers from a declining familiarity with the Bible. We are reminded of the commendation of the Bereans, who \u201creceived the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily\u201d (Acts 17:11).<\/span><\/p>\n

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In order to encourage the people of our church bodies in the daily reading of Holy Scripture, we have compiled a three-year plan of daily Bible readings and a year-long series of weekly readings on Martin Luther\u2019s approach\u00a0to the Scriptures. The daily readings are on the attached calendars for 2018, 2019 and 2020. The plan provides\u00a0a guide that will take the reader through the entire Old Testament one time in three years, with the exception\u00a0of Psalms, which are read twice each year. e New Testament will be read twice in the three years. A reading from the Old Testament, a psalm (or portion\u00a0of a psalm) and a reading from the New Testament\u00a0is assigned for each day. Certain church festivals \u2014 Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and so forth \u2014 have readings appointed for the specific occasion.<\/p>\n

The suggested readings are offered for one reason only: to enhance devotional life as an individual or a family daily examines, and is examined by, the Word of God and then responds in prayer to the heavenly Father. Toward that goal, the following suggestions may be considered. \u00a0They are merely suggestions, of course, as is this daily reading guide. The most important purpose\u00a0of the guide is to encourage a daily practice of reading and meditating on the Bible, God\u2019s Word. Since the Scriptures as a whole are God\u2019s Word, increasing familiarity with the various books is encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Individuals who set aside time for personal devotion may find it easier than families to use this guide as a whole. Families, especially those with small children, who believe this is too ambitious for them may want to select only a portion of what is suggested, as a briefer reading that can be simply explained.<\/p>\n

A set time is important \u2014 typically morning or evening at mealtime. The individual or family is encouraged\u00a0to choose a time each day when there will be minimal or no distraction, allowing perhaps 20\u201340 minutes\u00a0for reading and prayer. \u00a0The individual or family may begin with the sign of the holy cross and \u201cIn the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit\u201d\u00a0as a reminder of our baptismal identity, followed by\u00a0a prayer for the Holy Spirit to prepare the heart(s) to hear and understand the Word of God and to bear fruit in keeping with it (Matt. 13:13; Luke 8:11 .). One may then read the Old Testament selection, followed by the psalm and concluding with the reading from the New Testament. The individual Christian may wish to read aloud even if reading alone. While reading, remember that the two central messages of Scripture are Law and Gospel, for the Bible continually reminds us of our sins and God\u2019s legitimate wrath against human rebellion\u00a0(the Law), even as it also tells us the precious truth of God\u2019s forgiveness, mercy and love, which are made certain in the incarnation, death, resurrection and assured return of our Lord Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

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With the frequent reading of the psalms comes an opportunity to use the psalter as the \u201cprayer book of the Bible,\u201d letting each daily psalm become an encouragement for prayer. The daily devotion will be strengthened even more if, following the counsel and practice of countless Christians, it includes confession of the Apostles\u2019 Creed and a purposeful recitation of our Lord\u2019s Prayer, considering each petition. As a nal suggestion for this devotional time, the use of Luther\u2019s Morning or Evening Prayer is encouraged.<\/p>\n

Lest this devotional exercise be viewed as an alternative to the church\u2019s gathered life in the congregation, two other points are worth noting. First, the user(s) of this guide may wish to keep a notebook of questions that arise during the weekly devotional time. ose questions may be shared with a pastor or other church teachers for further insight in the Word of God. Second, since the morning is given to the Divine Service, the evening of the Lord\u2019s Day is probably the best time\u00a0to set aside for the daily readings, especially for a family. at time can also provide an opportunity for the family to discuss the sermon and the service that Sunday. The Sunday or weekend devotional time is also an ideal time to read the selection about Luther and Holy Scripture.<\/p>\n

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Weekly Readings \u2014Martin Luther on Holy Scripture<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As a companion to the Daily Reading Guide, the participants of the LCMS – LCC-NALC consultation are also offering selected readings from the work, Luther on the Scriptures, by Johann Michael Reu, (1869\u20131943), a German-born American Lutheran pastor, theologian and educator who taught from 1899 till his death at Wartburg eological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.<\/p>\n

While we in no way intend for these to replace or be understood as equal to the value of daily Bible reading, we do believe they will be helpful, especially for Lutherans. Why?<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly, there are those within Lutheranism today who no longer understand the meaning and purpose\u00a0of Holy Scripture. Some Christians describe multiple methods of reading and interpreting the Scriptures, and this has had a negative impact in Lutheran churches\u00a0<\/span>as well. Increasingly in world Lutheranism, the notion of a \u201cLutheran\u201d way of approaching the Bible has been lost, ignored or confused by competing yet supposedly equally valid means of studying Scripture. The result has been, in some places, a lack of commitment to the truth and authority of God\u2019s Word, skepticism about the trustworthiness of God\u2019s Word and a general lack of interest in hearing and heeding God\u2019s Word. It should be no surprise, then, that there is the aforementioned \u201cdeclining familiarity\u201d with the Bible in our churches.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As we commend the Daily Bible Reading Guide to\u00a0you, then, we also invite you to explore Martin Luther\u2019s understanding of Holy Scripture with the series of weekly readings. Reu\u2019s brief work, now out of print, has been shared among the participants of our consulta- tion, enlightening and directing our conversations as \u00a0we have sought a deeper and richer appreciation for God\u2019s Word, largely through Luther\u2019s own writing. As he speaks to us of the clarity, simplicity, trustworthiness and infallibility of Scripture, it is our hope and prayer that each member, household and congregation will turn daily to the Biblical readings with renewed desire for the Word which is a \u201clamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] path\u201d (Ps. 119:105).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The translation of the Bible into the vernacular \u2014 into the everyday language of common people \u2014 was one of the greatest and most far-reaching accomplishments of the Reformation. As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Luther posting the 95 theses, we might also recall that following that event in the year 1517, other events … <\/p>\n

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