AP

TOO much is never enough when it comes to reading, marking, learning and inwardly digesting the Word of God, for it is in His Word, the Bible, that God reveals to us ‘all that we need to know for our salvation, faith and life’, and it is the Bible which is ‘our only rule of faith and practice’. The Apostle Paul certainly hit the nail on the head when he wrote to the Thessalonians, under Holy Spirit inspiration, ‘you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers’ (1 Thess. 2.13b).

            One of the hallmarks of the ministry of Bishop J.C. Ryle was his encouragement of Christians to grow in grace by practising the means of grace including Bible reading, and in this small book he encourages not only diligent reading but thorough use of the Bible in all our endeavours to lead our lives to the glory of God and for our own blessing as well as a testimony for others.

            How Do You Read The Bible? is a reprint of various excerpts of one of Ryle’s larger works which are all worth reading in their entirety, many of them published by the Trust. This book of 55 pages has been ‘lightly edited with archaisms modified and footnotes added’.

            In eight propositions proceeding in his usual logical fashion the godly bishop establishes why it is essential to read the Bible. He follows this by dealing with the types of people who read or don’t read the Bible before outlining and advising on the best ways to engage in Bible reading. He concludes with a list of blessings which arise from Bible reading and study.

            Hopefully the publication of this book will encourage any who have not yet taken to reading the Bible to do so forthwith, any who have let the practice slip to return to it without delay, and any who are diligent in reading it to go more deeply and so receive more and more spiritual enrichment.

                                                                                                                        – Bob Thomas