HOW TO READ THE BIBLE. Fr. Matta el-Meskeen
The Bible is different from all other books; other books are written by man, but the Bible not only contains the sayings and commandments of God, but was also written entirely under divine inspiration. In the Old and New Testaments, although the dialogue, events, history and all the stories, centre on man, it is in fact God who is veiled in them. The Bible describes God to us and reveals Him through events. Yet we were not given a complete picture in one generation, or one book, or even over the whole extended period. It is with great difficulty that the Bible struggles to give us a simplified mental image of God by relating His direct dealings with man over a period of thousand years.
As well as revealing God and introducing Him to us, the Bible tries in many ways to prepare man inwardly to receive Him in our hearts. This is to prepare us for the end of time, when God will be revealed openly and we shall meet Him face to face to live with Him forever.
Two ways to read the Bible
The first is when a man reads and puts himself and his mind in control of the text, trying to subject its meaning to his own understanding and then comparing it with the understanding of others.
The second is when a man reads putting the text on a level above himself and trying to bring his mind into submission to its meaning, and even setting the text up as a judge over him, counting it the highest criterion.
The first way is suitable for any book in the world, whether it be a work of science or of literature.
The second is indispensable in reading the Bible.
The first way gives man mastery over the world, which is his natural role.
The second gives God mastery as the all-wise and all-powerful Creator.
But if man confuses the roles of these who methods, he stands to lose them both. If he reads science and literature as he should read the Gospel, he grows small in stature, his academic ability diminishes and his dignity among the rest of creation dwindles. If he reads the Bible as he should read science, he understands and feels God to be small, the divine being appears limited and His awesomeness fades. Man acquires a false sense of his own superiority over divine things and this is the very same forbidden thing that Adam committed in the beginning.
Let us pray: Father God, I confess that I had confused the two ways of reading the Bible. I read it as I should read a book of science or literature, and it did not benefit me. I want to receive You in my heart when I read your Word. I submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Please reveal Yourself in my heart