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Its Own Evangelist
- 04/17/10
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Here is a quote I found this morning when re-reading Max McLean’s Unleashing the Word. It comes under a section titled “The Bible Is its Own Evangelist.”
The Bible is its own evangelist. I came to faith because I was deeply affected by the words of the Bible. The famous British preacher Charles Spurgeon was once asked how he responded to criticisms of the Bible. “Very easy,” he responded. “I defend the Bible the same way I defend a lion. I simply let it out of its cage.” That quote captures our vision for this book and for the growth of ministries that are committed to the passionate, articulate, and powerful reading of Scripture. Isn’t it time to let the Bible out of the cage, or (to borrow from the title of this book) to unleash God’s Word?
When I tell a Bible story, I have a quiet confidence that God is going to do a mighty work by the very act of reading his Word. Therefore, my objective is to engage hearers and draw them into the Word of God. My role is to use my skills and abilities, as best I can, to draw them into an experience with the Word.
There is something to ponder before we head to church tomorrow morning. “The Bible is its own evangelist.” Consider that for a while!
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (5)
Tim,
I can’t thank you enough for this post, and for the consistent encouragement and insight that your blog represents.
By the way, the lion illustration is perfect for my own blog! I plan on re-posting this excellent nugget soon.
Thanks again,Dave
http://virtualsalt.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/c-h-spurgeon-the-peoples-pre…
Thank you for this post. Spouse (above blog) was at Spurgeon’s College, and gather another version of the quote was ‘defend the bible? I’d as much defend a roaring lion’.
Inspirational dunamos - dynamite?The above review of a recent book on Spurgeon by a current tutor at the college might be of interest. All the best!2
I completely agree with the sentiment in this post. The bible speaks for itself. But what does this mean practically? How should we read the bible aloud when serving others in that way?
If we believe that God works mightily through the reading of his word, should we then:(a) read it as if it contains some amazing hidden power, or(b) read it flat with no added emphasis, or(c) should we seek to interpret as best we can what the scripture is saying and with that in mind emphasise where we think appropriate?
Most people I know are (b)’s where as I get the feeling from Max McLean’s recording of the ESV that he’s an (a) type of guy (which I find quite distracting and not at all helpful for understanding what is being said).
Tim, what practical tips can you give those of us who believe with Spurgeon and McLean and yourself that the word of God read aloud does a powerful work in those who hear?
One resource I’ve been blessed by in this regard is the audio feature on the online NET Bible. Although the NET is not my primary translation, the audio recordings are top-notch. They feature readers who read with passion and a real working knowledge of the text. They definitely seem to fit approach c) in David’s typology. I’ve found the verbal emphases often really unlock the passages for me. You can stream online, or download them for free, simply by searching by chapter at
http://net.bible.org/bible.php
Highly recommended!
Blessings,Tim
To David, I would always recommend your (c), read it according to its meaning. Nothing should ever be read flat, for why else is it given to us in human language? We do not speak that way, write that way, nor use linguistic devices that way. Did Paul write passionate, vehement prose to be read flat? Did the psalmists not intend expressive music? On the contrary, it is because of the wonderful meaning of the text, its message, that we have to read it with vigour, and that has to be according to its own meaning, its own pacing and content, not something we impose on it.
After all, God wants us to preach the word, which he does not consider an imposition on it. If it is to be delivered to us with the meaning (Nehemiah 8:8), then it is a small thing to put mere expression into its reading. If you are afraid of distorting the word, then (a)study it well before reading, as any pastor preaching on it would, and (b)think instead that the more people engage with the text, the more it is emphasised itself. Rightly reading and metering complex passages from the epistles can practically do away with the need for exegesis, but dully and the preacher has to work very hard to convince us the passage is intelligible at all.