by Daniel S. Trout
(Originally published in the Sword and the Shield of St. Alban’s Cathedral)
If the Christian life may indeed be characterized by the sacrifice of self for union with God and his glory, then I think most Christians have yet to practically understand—in devotion especially—how the Scriptures might best contribute towards our soul’s heavenward ascent. Particularly since the decline of the Bible’s perceived authority in the mainline churches over the last century, the irrelevance (or at least marginalization) of the Bible has become an increasingly evident weakness amongst many Christians, leading to a counter-reaction from others that tend to define themselves by a premium placed on preaching and biblical literacy. Now, while the struggle to overcome ignorance is certainly laudable, I must opine that the deeper problem—while certainly related to ignorance—is the virtual absence (in all Christian spheres) of engaging Scripture as an ascetic exercise. By an ascetic exercise I mean that one not just read Scripture, but above all contemplate the text as an offering of worship. Studying to increase one’s biblical intelligence certainly has its place, but making this one’s preoccupation reduces the Bible to a repository of truths, an endless database open to perpetual scrutiny. Furthermore, this method tends to become man-centered, making personal knowledge THE Christian imperative. On the other hand, as an act of worship, employing Scripture through ascetic discipline alters one’s intention God-ward, returning his own Word to him as an offering; this action not only praises him, but deifies (makes holy) the worshiper through his union with God in the Word.
We in the Anglican spiritual tradition should be mindful of such ascetic exercise because we recognize that Scripture is a sacramental; it is not merely a didactic instrument, but a channel of grace that God uses to reveal himself to his people. Additionally, because it is a medium, Christians do not commune with a book, but with the Holy Spirit who speaks through the Word, illuminates our minds to receive supernatural mysteries and then draws us into deeper mystical fellowship. This manner of spiritual exercise is possible because, although the Bible is not Christ per se, it is the inspired record of him who is the eternal Word of the Father. Put another way, the Word we read and hear (either corporately or privately) and look into with spiritual intent manifests the Word-made-flesh for us to behold; it brings us near him, preserving him on our lips and in our heart in order that we might thereby imbibe him. This is why we can appreciate and should regularly use the Word as an ascetic exercise. By routinely reading and contemplating it, two things happen: first, we form a habit of constantly walking in the presence of God because our minds are oriented towards the kingdom of heaven and, consequently, reality as God sees it; second, we become increasingly more receptive to God’s will and the Spirit’s transforming power that enables him to accomplish his will in us. Admittedly, this is probably an uncomfortable feeling, but it is a necessary discipline to relinquish the grip on ourselves and put on the kind of unselfish Christ-likeness discovered in meditation. Jesus appears no longer as a mere object of study, but as the Incarnate Christ in whose life we participate through deep contemplation. As we learn to become receptive to grace supplied via the Word, such discipline ceases to be a chore, but a habitual formation, nurturing our new creation in Christ to be conformed to his image.
