Christianity – Page 2 – Faith Unto Ages

The Importance of Studying Scripture

St. Paul tells us: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

In light of the Apostle’s words, the study of scripture is evidently of great significance; considering if our goal is to grow in holiness and come to the knowledge of God, His love for us, and His Divine Will — i.e. our very salvation.

The Jewish scribe and prophet Jesus Ben Sirach tells us:

“How different is the man who devotes himself To the study of the law of the Most High. He will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients And be occupied with their prophecies. He will preserve the discourse of notable men And penetrate the subtleties of parables. He will seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs And be engaged in the riddles of parables. He will serve in the midst of great men And will appear before rulers. He will travel through the land of foreign nations And test the good and evil among men. He will give his heart to rising early Before the Lord who created him, And will make supplication to the Most High; And he will open his mouth in prayer And make supplication for his sins. If the great Lord wills, He will be filled with the Spirit of understanding. He will pour forth words of His wisdom, And in prayer he will give thanks to the Lord. He will direct his counsel and knowledge aright, And he will reflect on His hidden things. He will reveal instruction in his teaching And boast in the law of the Lord’s covenant.” (Wisdom of Sirach 39:1-8).

There are also several church fathers that speak on the relevance of studying scripture.

The Incarnation: The Recapitulation of Adam in the Eternal Word

Prior to going back to Egypt to liberate the children of Israel from captivity, the Prophet Moses had an encounter with God on Mount Horeb. Seeing the glory of God being manifested through a burning bush, he fell to his face in fear of looking at God, as God had revealed to him: “I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isacc, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). God revealed to him that He was, out of His love and compassion, displeased of Israel’s bondage to captivity, and that He would deliver them and bring them to a land which is good, large, and flowing with milk and honey (Ex 3:7-9). After God had told Moses that He would send him before Pharaoh to deliver the nation of Israel, he had doubts pertaining to his capability; and also questioned how he should identify God when the Israelites were to ask of His Name. In response, the Lord told the Prophet: “I AM THAT I AM … thus you should tell the children of Israel; ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Ex 3:14).

This Holy Name given by God, which was revealed to Moses by His Word, emphasizes that “God is the supreme existence, and is therefore unchangeable, the thing that He made He empowered to be, but not to be supremely like Himself” (Augustine of Hippo, The City of God, Book 12, chap. 2). Because of this sacred truth, St. Moses tells us that it was “In the beginning, God created the Heavens, and the Earth” (Genesis 1:1), as He is ever eternal, infinite, without beginning, without end, and the Creator of all things and the source of their very existence out of nothing – all by the Self-Same Word (Genesis 1:3-31). St. Augustine tells us that when God created all things, “He communicated a more ample, to others a more limited existence, and thus arranged the natures by ranks” (The City of God, Book 12, chap. 2). In other words, when God created all things, He established a hierarchy; with man being the highest of all the carnal creatures, “For man is more honorable than any created thing…” (John Chrysostom. Homily 56 on the Gospel of John).

The Sins of the Tongue and Eternal Damnation – St. John Chrysostom

“Since then “He hath purged our sins,” (Hebrews 1:3), let us continue pure; and let us receive no stain, but preserve the beauty which He hath implanted in us, and His comeliness undefiled and pure, “not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” ( Ephesians 5:27). Even little sins are “a spot and a wrinkle,” such a thing, I mean, as Reproach, Insult, Falsehood.

Nay, rather not even are these small, but on the contrary very great: yea so great as to deprive a man even of the kingdom of Heaven. How, and in what manner? “He that calleth his brother fool, is in danger” (He saith) “of hellfire.” (Matthew 5:22.) But if it be so with him who calls a man “fool,” which seems to be the slightest of all things, and rather mere children’s talk; what sentence of punishment will not he incur, who calleth him malignant and crafty and envious, and casteth at him ten thousand other reproaches? What more fearful than this?