Soon I hope to post a review of a book I have just fininshed reading.
What made this experience particularly unique for me was that I got to engage with the author as I was reading it. I would read a section and then message him to ask for some insight about the chapter I read or to applaud something brilliant that he said. It’s quite something to be able toget that level of feedback on the writing process.
You can get interviews with authors that endeavour to be comprehensive or deep, but that cannot beat the relational aspect of knowing the author and so being able to connect with him and understand his thinking about some aspect of the book. Not to spoil the book review much, but it’s fair to say that I had a high regard for it anyway, but it shot up even higher for having the ability to talk to the author about it.
As I reflected on the experience, it occurred to me that we have an opportunity to consider something similar in how we approach the Bible. In fact the presence of the Holy Spirit in us and through us is for the exact purpose of illuminating the text so we can understand what the Author meant by what is written. Not only does the illumination of the text happen, but more importantly the illumination of the Author takes place – which in itself makes whatever was written all the more evocative and dynamic.
That kind of reading of the text is not exclusive to scholars, academics and the type. Indeed, often the pride and high mindedness of some in academia actually dulls and numbs the beauty of the Word. We have the opportunity to discover for ourselves in the beauty of Christ-loving community and through the indwelling Spirit what the Author meant and who the Author is.
It’s good then for us to talk to the Author.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 