The Word of God as Scriptures: The Necessity of Reading
The importance of Holy Scriptures in the life of a Christian is undeniable. The Scriptures themselves bear testimony to this importance. I will give just three examples here with some commentary:
"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)"
Paul here, writes to Timothy, whom we know has been ordained as a minister of his Church (1 Tim). The keyword in the passage cited above relevant for our purpose is "profitable." Timothy, being a leader of the Church and responsible for its upbringing in the faith of the apostles is directed to "continue in what you have learned and firmly believed" (2 Tim 3:15). The Scriptures which "instruct unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ" is a necessary means by which to carry out his particular mission (cf. 1 Tim. 4:13-15: "...attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching... Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."). And especially at a time when the teachings of the apostle Paul is being undermined by the false witness and proclamation of others, the Scriptures (together with the memory of Paul and his teachings) is a sure guide to faith in Jesus Christ. The "profitability" of Scriptures lies precisely in this: that during trying times when other believers are easily led astray, the constant reading of Scriptures aids the man of God to stand firm "to be complete, equipped for every good work." It is profitable because the Spirit of God has been breathed into it (this seems to be the meaning of theopneustos, a hapax in the Bible), and being thus, is capable to making men understand the "things of God". This passage is especially directed to ministers of the Church, whether clerical or lay, who are daily bombarded with the questions and anxieties of their flock (whether growing or diminishing).
The Story of the Two Disciples Walking to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35) is primarily a conversion story; but within this conversion story, we find the importance of Scriptures underlined. The story tells how two disciples frustrated by the Death of the Lord on the Cross and confused by the testimony about the disappearance of the Lord's Body, walk away from Jerusalem, the place of salvation. Along the way, the Lord meets them, engages them in dialogue, and finally, reveals Himself to them (at dinner!). When the Lord disappears, the two disciples realize that this new disclosure began when the Risen Lord opened the Scriptures to them. Having "seen" the Lord, they return to Jerusalem, where they are met by Peter's proclamation that the Lord has indeed risen.
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