I’ve had the opportunity to read some author David Ramos’ devotionals and enjoyed
them very much and appreciated some of his insights. That’s why I was excited to read his newest
book, The Bible Habit.
After reading The Bible Habit, I had some
conflicting thoughts and observations about this book. When David sticks with the Bible and shares
some of what he’s learned from studying the Bible it’s good, thought provoking and
challenging. When he delves into secular
studies, science or philosophy to encourage or prompt people to read the Bible,
I think he got off course. There were a
couple of times, he referenced sources that are not Biblically sound writers or
teachers.
The good…I appreciated that David started with
the importance of people understanding the Bible in context and he went on to
explain what that means and why it’s important.
In a day and age when context is thrown to the wind, it was refreshing
to see David reinforcing this important truth.
The chapter on The Memory Boosting Tactic had some good ideas on how to learn,
remember and memorize the Bible. I didn’t
care for the secular references on learning.
The Beginner’s Ultimate Toolbox
referenced some good study tools that people can use to better understand the Bible
and dive deeper. I take issue with David’s
opinion that there is no wrong translation to start with. Absolutely, it makes a big difference on
starting with a translation that is accurate and sound. If you don’t, you can more easily be led
astray with false teaching.
The chapter Two
Souls Are Better Than One was a great reminder, we shouldn’t be solo
Christians. God calls us to be part of a
community. David did a good job in
sharing some of the benefits and challenges of being part of a church or Bible
study or Christian community. I would
like to add that it is important what community we are a part of. We need to make sure that it has Biblically
sound teaching.
The chapter on Prayer, The Truth Igniter, had some good insights and
references. But I was concerned about
with the reference of Richard Foster in how to pray the Bible. Richard Foster is part of the spiritual
formation and contemplative prayer movement.
Foster is not biblically sound.
Steer clear of his teaching.
The not so good…the chapter on Building Blocks of a Habit had some
practical tools to help you develop the beneficial habit of reading the Bible. But this chapter seemed to miss the boat in acknowledging that the Bible is from God and the primary source
that God uses to reveal Himself and it is a privilege to read it. I felt this chapter downplayed the authority
of God’s Word and made reading the Bible seem common and lowly. So much so, that you should put incentives in
place to read the Bible like you would when starting a new exercise program. Also, I disagree with David’s suggestion to
not read a book of the Bible chapter by chapter, but aim for reading by
story. Reading a book of the Bible helps
you to read and understand it within context.
The mix of secular and Bible in this chapter didn’t mix well.
To sum things up, I had some mixed and
conflicting thoughts about The Bible Habit by David Ramos. He had some beneficial thoughts and tools for
people to consider as they learn to study the Bible. However, I was concerned with the secular
studies and science that he cited to incentivize reading the Bible as well as a
Christian writer who is not biblically sound.
At times, I felt like he was making the Bible palatable, when in fact it
is the perfect and inerrant Word of God.
Would I recommend it? Maybe.
Some of the material is beneficial for a new Christian or an unbeliever
wanting to know how to read God’s Word. But I would also be concerned that they start
with a biblically sound foundation, have a high view of Scripture and steer clear of false teachers.
I would like to thank author David Ramos for the opportunity to read
The
Bible Habit. I was under no
obligation to give a favorable review.
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