We don’t need to leave our brains behind, while realizing that not everything comes to us via the brain. Although some may like to combine study and devotion, I see a valuable distinction there for practical purposes. Study does not always lead to devotion; it may lead to a dead end. Is there really a danger in dividing the two?

[...] Ten Questions I Always Ask Myself When Reading the Bible [...]

I am saying that the two categories are not by necessity mutually exclusive. I personally don’t see why we have this artificial divide between studying and devotional time. Granted, I may come with a different focus, but I will still dig into God’s sufficient revelation in Scripture. Believing that the Spirit has to speak to us doesn’t necessitate that we check our brains at the door. He gave us minds and it is glorifying to Him when we use them to His glory and praise.

Certainly God can speak and does speak during study. I’m saying that we don’t ALWAYS pick up our Bible and read for the purpose of studying. Maybe we need to define study. Do you say there’s no difference between study and devotion? Or that devotion can come only with study?

Rayner:

Can’t God speak while we study? Must we divide between studying for the brain and reading for devotion? Why not study during our devotions? It seems you equal God speaking to a voice and not to His Word as well.

Danger?

Lisa: ‘I actually think there is a danger in bifurcating study in the way you suggested.’

My point is that you seem to be thinking of everything in terms of study. I’m talking about something else—not study. Yes, at devotional time all of our previous understanding and study come into play, but we do not keep on studying. We do not turn it into another study session. We let the Spirit speak to us.

Scott, I’m afraid I have to agree with John C.T. I also think this is where question #2 comes in. What does it mean in 2 Peter 1:3 that we participate in His divine nature? It’s the only verse that suggests a participation but when reconciled to other passages of our position “in Christ” does not suggest that we participate in the sense that share a common authority to have meaning apply to Christ, apply to us. Rather, being made alive to God through Christ, regenerated by the Spirit we’ve been given access to God through His divine nature and enjoy the benefits of that reconciliation.

Just because Jesus is anointed, does not mean we are. Our participation in Christ is of a particular kind and scope, and does not automatically mean that if he is anointed we are.

An important point about careful interpretation and not overapplying a verse concerns our authority to do things, expect things and teach things. The whole we are anointed with joy thing is unsupported by a proper interpretation of scripture and therefore lacks biblical and thus Spiritual authority. We are not inspired like the Biblical writers to see connections, nor do we have Jesus walking alongside us and teaching us all the connections that are there–as the disciples did. So we are not entitled to get carried away with tenuous connections, even if they comfort us or make us feel good (like quiet times).

Regards,
John

Aggh, I just typed out a comment and lost it.

Sorry, Rayner but I’d have to disagree. If you consider my list, #10 is the eventual goal and #1-9 take you there. Sure, if you stop and #9, you would have analyzed without any real devotional aspect. But the goals is not for us to be intellectually smarter but commitingly deeper. So if after you’ve asked the questions, and just stop, reflect and let the reality of what you just studied seep into your heart, be still and surrender, allowing the truths of what God is communicating through His word to speak to your heart, you’d be amazed at the heightened devotion asking these questions bring. Or at least that has been my experience.

Even in greek, we are encouraged to do this. In fact, the summer reading plan from my greek prof includes doing devotionals through John in the greek NT. Devotion is about worship and what better impetus, than getting as clear a picture as possible, who God is and what He is communicating. I actually think there is a danger in bifurcating study in the way you suggested.