Bible engagement renewal …
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a German professor of moral theology at the University of Wittenberg, started a schism in the Catholic Church when he sent a thesis (also nailed to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg) enclosed with a letter to Albert of Brandenburg, the Archbishop of Mainz. The thesis propositions disputed the power of indulgences and effectively started the Reformation and the branch of Christianity known as Protestantism.
The primacy of God’s Word.
Luther’s dispute with the Catholic Church included believing in the Bible alone (rather than with sacred tradition) as the highest authority in matters of faith and practice (sola scriptura). So, for most Protestants and a Bible engagement advocate like myself, the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is hugely significant.
While much could be said about the doctrines of sola scriptura, prima scriptura (Anglican, Methodist, Wesleyan), or the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Catholic), the purpose of this article is rather about how we desperately need a Bible engagement renewal.
Owning our shortcomings.
Despite centuries of efforts to stress the primacy of God’s Word in the faith and practice of the Church, many churches fail to emphasize Bible engagement. Something has been lost that we need to reclaim. To recover what we’ve lost, we must begin by lamenting the weak state of Bible reading, reflecting, receiving, remembering, and responding.
Someone once said we “need to let the Bible accuse us.” The trouble is we’re not connecting with it in a way that opens the door for the Bible to show us where we’ve gone astray. And, we don’t give it room to help us return to where it gets to have its way with us (because Bible engagement is essentially Jesus engagement, this statement should also be understood as Jesus getting to have His way with us through His Word ).
Process of renewal.
Throughout history, God breaks into the affairs of humanity to renew and restore us to Himself. Five hundred years after the last great renewal in Bible engagement, we need the Lord to bring us alive to His Word again. There are no shortcuts to a Bible engagement renewal (unless God chooses otherwise). The process of renewal usually requires the following:
- Recognize the need for a Bible engagement renewal. “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Psalm 85:6.
- Pursue a Bible engagement renewal personally. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions” Psalm 51:1.
- Seek forgiveness for personal and communal sins. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Psalm 51:10.
- Promise to follow the Lord and engage His Word with all your heart, soul and mind (cf. 2 Kings 23:3).
- Act on the Word. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” James 1:22.
Now pray for a Bible engagement renewal, trusting God to bring a much-needed season of long-term growth that strengthens individuals and communities of faith as they connect with Jesus and His Story.
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Summary
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation highlights the ongoing need for a Bible engagement renewal, focusing on the importance of reconnecting with God’s Word. Despite centuries of emphasis on Scripture’s primacy, many churches today lack engagement with the Bible, leading to a disconnect in personal and communal faith. The renewal process involves recognizing the need for change, pursuing personal revival, seeking forgiveness, and committing to act on God’s Word with complete devotion. Ultimately, the call is to pray for a spiritual awakening that strengthens individuals and communities through more profound engagement with Scripture.
© Scripture Union Canada
