Loving the Bible seems a bit out of vogue these days, even among evangelicals. The word that is used to kind of slam that idea of loving the Bible so much, i believe, is biblicist.

So be it.

I LOVE the Word of God found in the Bible. I love the written Word because it leads me to the living Word, but I can’t deny this: I love the written Word of God. It’s where I meet God the best. My prayers can only be guesses without the guidance of the written Word. All other pursuit of knowledge, especially of God, can only be a guess if I don’t find myself in the written Word.

The digital age, and the inundation of so many translations, has been a win/lose for me. I love the digital side because I can keep track of my notes a whole lot easier. In a digital Bible, I can put far more notes by a verse. But having the printed page in front of me is still a love. Even with all the translations and loving each translation for what it brings to my study, I love having one Bible in front of me. It’s a challenge. I’m a Bible junkie.

Gone are the days of the Bible I got from my wife when I graduated from Bible college. That one retired a few years back. Trying to get ONE Bible like that since has been a losing cause.

I can’t lose my love for the written Word. If I lose that, I lose the base of a more informed pursuit of God.

The written Word must take me to the Living Word. But I must start with the written Word.