Approaching the Bible with Reverence

by D. A. Carson

“If you approach the Bible with a certain amount of skepticism, it’s pretty easy to be guilty of having the uncertainty seep over into outright skepticism, unbelief, and criticism. If, on the other hand, you approach the Word of God with a certain reverence, then even when you don’t understand, you might at least say, “Well, I don’t have this figured out, but if there’s one author behind the whole thing, it must make sense in the mind of God. I just wish I understood it a little better,” which is at least a more humble approach to the text.

“Even at the human level, you must surely assume the New Testament writers were not twits, really stupid. Even with that amount of respect, it pays to listen and listen and listen and think through things again.”

"O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way" (Psalms 119:97-104).