When Andrew went to prison, he asked for one book. A Bible. At first it was just something to fill the hours. But slowly it became a project. Then a discipline. Then an obsession.
He began counting. He learned that the Bible contains 66 books. He discovered there
are 1,189 chapters. He found that there are 31,102 verses.
He identified the shortest verse as John 11:35 — “Jesus wept.” He proudly told anyone who would listen that the longest verse is Esther 8:9. He even calculated the middle verse of the Bible, Psalm 118:8: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
Andrew could list the kings of Israel; he could outline Paul’s missionary journeys; he could distinguish between major and minor prophets; he could explain covenant theology and apocalyptic imagery.
The other inmates nicknamed him “Chapter and Verse.”
But at night, lying on a narrow bunk under fluorescent light, Andrew would stare at the ceiling and feel the weight of something the numbers could not carry. He knew there were 1,189 chapters, but he did not know whether his own life could have a new chapter. He knew there were 31,102 verses, but he could not find one that erase his past. He knew “Jesus wept,” but he wondered: would Jesus weep for a man like him?
All that Bible knowledge and none of it actually touched Andrew’s heart.
Andrew’s problem was probably the opposite of many Episcopalians’ experience. If only we knew our Bibles as well as many other Christians. For many, our faith is shaped by the hymnal more than the Bible.
So, let me tell you about a wonderful chance to go deep – really deep – in the study of scripture. Beginning in September this year St John’s will begin an Education for Ministry program. Many members of the parish have graduated EfM, but it’s been quite a while since we ran a course. Now the wait is over.
Please read the article in this newsletter about EfM to get a good understanding of this exciting course, and then talk to Duncan or Valinda if you think it might be for you.
“Watch your thoughts for they become words.
Watch your words for they become actions.
Watch your actions for they become habits.
Watch your habits for they become your character.
And watch your character for it becomes your destiny." Frank Outlaw
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus, John 8:32
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Paul, Romans 12:2