Book 01: Sect. 01: Ch. 05: Reading the Holy Scripture

Shiann · #1 Aug 16, '05, 2:42 pm

Thoughts Helpful in the Life of a Soul:

Reading the Holy Scripture

The online version of Section 1: Chapter 5 is available here:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imitation.ONE.5.html

contemplative · #2 Aug 17, '05, 8:43 am

IOC
Book 1
Chapter 5

When the paraclete comes, being the Spirit of truth He will guide you to all truth. John 16:13

So it is only with humility, simplicity and faith that we should read Holy Scripture.

Giannawannabe · #3 Aug 17, '05, 10:01 am

How can one know "the spirit" in which a particular passage of scripture is written? Must prior study take place before reading scripture? Sometimes I get bogged down by thoughts that I am not Knowledgeable enough to read or understand scripture. This chapter perpetuates that insecurity for me. Perhaps I am misunderstanding?

Fergal · #4 Aug 17, '05, 10:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giannawannabe

How can one know "the spirit" in which a particular passage of scripture is written? Must prior study take place before reading scripture? Sometimes I get bogged down by thoughts that I am not Knowledgeable enough to read or understand scripture. This chapter perpetuates that insecurity for me. Perhaps I am misunderstanding?

Not prior study but prayer. Plety of prior prayer inviting the Holy Spirit into your heart and soul. Ask Him to grant you the gift of knowledge.

Marie · #5 Aug 17, '05, 12:40 pm

In truth, in very truth I tell you, unless a man has been born over again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

The idea which stood out from the beginning of this discourse between Nicodemus and Our Lord was that spiritual; life is different from physical or intellectual life. Jesus was explaining to him that spiritual life is not a push from below; it is a gift from above. A man does not become less selfish until he becomes a follower of Christ. The emphasis is not on self-improvement, but on regeneration; not on improving our present state, but on completely changing our status.

**Ani Ibi** · #6 Aug 17, '05, 1:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie

In truth, in very truth I tell you, unless a man has been born over again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

The idea which stood out from the beginning of this discourse between Nicodemus and Our Lord was that spiritual; life is different from physical or intellectual life. Jesus was explaining to him that spiritual life is not a push from below; it is a gift from above. A man does not become less selfish until he becomes a follower of Christ. The emphasis is not on self-improvement, but on regeneration; not on improving our present state, but on completely changing our status.

Another place that my perfectionism rears its ugly head. It's difficult so why fail? I know that when God wants me to know something, the words just leap off the page. It's all the other times that I fear. The ordinary times. The times in between the glories.

WanderAimlessly · #7 Aug 17, '05, 4:15 pm

It is not what we read is how we read it. We tend to forget that we not only have to take into account what is written, but the time and audience that it was intended for. Trying to read things outside of this context allows for misinterpretation of the work.

We also need to widen our reading. If we just concentrate just the theological heavyweights like Summa Theologica, we will miss out on simpler writing like A Story of a Soul. In addition we need to be moved by what was written not who wrote it.

But no matter what, we must remember, the Scriptures are the basis for all these works. It is what they all lead back to.
PF

Grace and Glory · #8 Aug 17, '05, 4:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie

In truth, in very truth I tell you, unless a man has been born over again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

The idea which stood out from the beginning of this discourse between Nicodemus and Our Lord was that spiritual; life is different from physical or intellectual life. Jesus was explaining to him that spiritual life is not a push from below; it is a gift from above. A man does not become less selfish until he becomes a follower of Christ. The emphasis is not on self-improvement, but on regeneration; not on improving our present state, but on completely changing our status.

For me, trying to use prayer as a means to self-improvement rather than as a means to grow closer to God is an easy trap to fall into. Obviously I should want to see improvements in myself as signs that I am growing closer to God, but seeking improvements as ends in themselves makes God into a means to an end. God should always be the end of everything I do, never merely a means.

This chapter definitely challenged me. "Never try to acquire a reputation for being a scholar." This is hard for me because I value myself very much for how I think. I need to learn to value myself because God values me. I definitely want to understand what I read, and when I have insights during prayer, that is certainly good, but I should not make greater understanding and good insights the goal of my prayer life. God should always be the goal of my prayer life.

Quaere Verum · #9 Aug 17, '05, 6:45 pm

I prayed for wisdom & understanding of the Scriptures, and God gave it to me. Funny thing though, I didn't specify for how long I wanted to retain the wisdom so that I could put it into words. So God blesses me often with slow processing, fleeting wisdom, and an inability to put it into words. I often think, "There was something profound about that; what was it? It just vanished." I have confidence, however, that God transfers the wisdom that he takes from my head and mouth and plants it firmly into my heart.

That is all I hope for.

"Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read & pass by."

Quaere Verum · #10 Aug 17, '05, 6:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giannawannabe

How can one know "the spirit" in which a particular passage of scripture is written? Must prior study take place before reading scripture? Sometimes I get bogged down by thoughts that I am not Knowledgeable enough to read or understand scripture. This chapter perpetuates that insecurity for me. Perhaps I am misunderstanding?

Giannawannabe, remember this quote:
"Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read & pass by."

**Katie1723** · #11 Aug 17, '05, 7:04 pm

When I read scripture, I like the way things " sound" when I read it. I know I can never understand all I read so I try not to dwell on every little word.

~ Kathy ~

Giannawannabe · #12 Aug 17, '05, 8:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaere Verum

Giannawannabe, remember this quote:
"Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read & pass by."

Thank you!!! To both you and Fergal. Sometimes I DO think too much

Quaere Verum · #13 Aug 18, '05, 8:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giannawannabe

Thank you!!! To both you and Fergal. Sometimes I DO think too much

Can you imagine Giannawannabe how long it would take us to read the entire Bible if we tried to understand everything? It takes me long as it is and I do alot of simply reading & letting things just pass, and I get so frustrated. But I need to remember that God will reveal to me what He wants to reveal to me & when He wants it revealed.

Giannawannabe · #14 Aug 18, '05, 10:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaere Verum

Can you imagine Giannawannabe how long it would take us to read the entire Bible if we tried to understand everything? It takes me long as it is and I do alot of simply reading & letting things just pass, and I get so frustrated. But I need to remember that God will reveal to me what He wants to reveal to me & when He wants it revealed.

Very comforting words Quaere Verum. I find that I can only read very short passages of Holy Scripture before becoming frustrated. Perhaps that is the way God wants me to read it.

**Edwin1961** · #15 Aug 22, '05, 1:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaere Verum

Can you imagine Giannawannabe how long it would take us to read the entire Bible if we tried to understand everything? It takes me long as it is and I do alot of simply reading & letting things just pass, and I get so frustrated. But I need to remember that God will reveal to me what He wants to reveal to me & when He wants it revealed.

There always seems to be 'something new' revealed to us in Scripture. This is because the Holy Spirit will reveal us one of those 'ahha' moments whenever we read or hear Scripture. I get these during homilies.

Also in interpeting Scripture be thankful for the Church and the Catechism. It's all in there, the tool to follow the guidlines in how the Scriptures should be interpetated.