If the skill of reading for understanding is important for the readers of secular works for non-ministry applications, is it not much more so for the Christian expositor of the Bible?
In the first chapter of Mortimer Adler’s How To Read A Book, (cited below), the author makes a strong case for reading a book not for the purpose of gaining information but for the purpose of understanding the argument(s) of the author.
Consider the task of reading for understanding, as supplied in Chapter 1 of this book, as it applies to the responsibilities of the pastor-teacher to “accurately [handle] the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). Keep in mind, Adler is addressing the task of reading mostly secular material, but the principles are applicable to the task of the expositor:
First, there is a presupposition that “the book has more to say than you understand and hence that it contains something that can increase your understanding.” (7)
Adler asserts there are then three potential responses to this encounter:
1) “Take the book to someone else who, you think, can read better than you, and have him explain the parts that trouble you.”
2) “Or you may decide that what is over your head is not worth bothering about, that you understand enough.”
3) “With nothing but the power of your own mind, you operate on the symbols before you in such a way that you gradually lift yourself from a state of understanding less to one of understanding more.”
Adler points out that in order to take the third option, the reader “must be able to overcome this inequality in some degree” (9), “entailing not only more varied activity [in reading] but also much more skill in the performance of the various acts required.” (8)
The goal of reading for understanding is immediately applicable to the pastor-teacher or others engaged in Christian ministry. It may be summarized to a degree in the term exegesis, which is applied to the Scriptures and serves as a precursory discipline to genuine expository preaching, apologetics, evangelism, discipleship, nouthetic counseling, philosophical engagement, worldview development, and the evaluation of theological systems.
The person engaged in Christian ministry must assume the task of reading the text of the Bible for understanding. This cannot be accomplished as Adler states, “in the power of [one’s own] mind”, but by the help of the Spirit and the application of the tools of exegesis.
When studying the text of Scripture, the would-be expositor has three options:
First, to forego the work of exegesis and consult the work of others (i.e. commentaries, email correspondence, lecture/preaching series). The expositor is then at the mercy of others who may or may not be competent for the task of exegesis. If they are not, the expositor has no means by which to identify those deficiencies. They may acquire additional information on the text before them, but their understanding has not necessarily increased.
Second, to have an attitude of indifference to the text, without conviction for further investigation and understanding. This would communicate that the expositor does not see an inherent inequality between himself and the text, and does not possess the conviction necessary to fulfill the admonition of II Tim. 2:15, cited above.
Third, to begin applying exegetical tools to the text for the goal of better understanding and right application. This requires the reader and expositor to acquire and apply proficient competency in the original languages, hermeneutics, and background studies (textual and Ancient Near Eastern).
With dependence on the Holy Spirit, the Christian expositor must apply themselves fully to the task of loving the Lord with all of their mind(Lk. 10:27). It has been said, certainly by my professor Dr. Steve Crawley, (possibly originating with Augustine) “the Holy Spirit has an affinity to the trained mind.” That being the case, let all those who study and teach God’s Word devote themselves to the learning of the tools of exegesis, that they may understand and rightly apply God’s truth.
“How To Read a Book” citation:
Adler, Mortimer J., and Van Doren Charles Lincoln. How to read a book. New York: A Touchstone Book, 2014.
Preston Kelso 