As a new Christian the Bible was entirely new to me. I didn’t know who the Apostle Paul was, nor well-known stories like that of of Cain and Able. So, I was hungry for the Scripture and read it fervently and frequently. For the first years of my Christian life I always had my bible. Of course I had a few Bibles, but my bible was the one I read and wrote in most of the time. (Here’s a peek at a page from the NIV Bible I was using as a young Christian in 1992.) By the late nineties I wound up just grabbing whatever Bible was close by. It didn’t matter which one I used since I kept all my notes in a journal. Well, maybe it’s just me but along the way I really missed having a special go-to Bible that was well-read and marked up.

In July 2006 Crossway released the ESV Journaling Bible featuring 2 inch ruled margins. I wanted one immediately, but wasn’t sure I would use it. After all, I am one of those Moleskine guys. Well, I finally purchased one this fall and just love it. For the first time in years I have my Bible again. For those who like to take notes in their bibles I think this is the best option around.

For a real review of the Bible you can check out Tony Reinke’s post from 2007 (while you’re at it, get his new book, Lit!). Here, I’m just going to tell you how I’ve been using those wide margins in the ESV Journaling Bible. I mean, you finally have a Bible with s p a c e. What do you use it for? I mostly do three things.

Using the Margins

1. Summation, Connection, and Implication.
I often write out a summation of certain truths, arguments, or passages that make things clear for me. Distilling things down to their essence helps me to see the big picture, or main point, and then return to the pieces. I also like to lay out some of the connections between the truth, promise, or command in the passage I am currently reading to truths, promises, etc. in other portions of Scripture. And, I also note some of the implications of those truths/passages I’m currently reading.

2. Cross references.
Some people won’t like that the ESV Journaling Bible doesn’t have cross refernces, but I like that I get to add my own. It forces me to work my brain (or a concordance), but then I add only the most relevant texts.

3. Quotes.
I’m even throwing helpful quotes from other writers/theologians when helpful to me or those I may wind up teaching.

An example.
Last week I was reading Proverbs 27 and verse 7 really caught my attention. “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” I used the margins to note that the rich forget their privileges, the comfortable forget their ease, but those who suffer savor even small graces. And, that I need to take note of my afflictions while savoring God’s present graces and gospel promises. Later I came across Matthew Henry’s comment on the passage and quoted him in the margin as well. He was explaining how the poor have a better relish of their enjoyments than the rich, and then wrote, “Hunger is the best sauce.”

Pen or Pencil?

If you’re going to mark this bad boy up, what will you use? I favor writing in this Bible with a pencil because I sometimes write down the wrong verse and would like to erase something rather than scratch it out. But I went onto Twitter last week and asked what people are using to write in their ESV Journaling Bible, and here are some of their answers.

Pigma Micron 005 (by Sakura)
Zebra F-301 0.7 mm Fine Point
Pilot Hi-Tec
Pilot G-2 0.38 Fine Point
Staedtler Mars Micro 775 Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
Pentel 0.5mm pencil

If you have the journaling Bible share how you’re using it in the comments.

Later this week I’ll be giving away an ESV Journaling Bible. If you want one come back and enter the giveaway!

The Music I Study To: Film Scores (Part one)
The Music I Study To: Jazz (Part Two)
The Music I Study To: Worship Music (Part Three)

The truth is I study to a lot of different kinds of music. While writing my book, Note to Self, the music in the background varied from film scores, to jazz, to Gothenburg metal, to alt. country/folk, to instrumental post-rock, to classical, to worship music. It all depends on my mood and the subject matter. I’m not going to cover any other playlists than one more–worship music.

By worship music I don’t mean to conjure up any particular style of music, but music that focuses on the realm of redemption and is generally written for use in a congregational context. I actually have two worship playlists in iTunes. One that has everything, and one a bit more selective. Today I am sharing the latter. These are some of the albums that truly move me to marvel and sing of the grace of God in the work of Jesus Christ.

Worship Music

Joe Day, Grace
Red Mountain Music, Help My Unbelief
Page CXVI, Hymns I
Page CXVI, Hymns II
Page CXVI, Hymns III
Cardiphonia, Hymns of the Faith
Sojourn, Over the Grave
Sovereign Grace Music, Together for the Gospel Live
Various Artists, Rain City Hymnal

I could have put many more albums on this list, but decided to keep this pretty narrow and allow you all to jump in with some of your favorite worship/sacred music albums. Throw ‘em up in the comments.

Bible Study Magazine has a great story on Mark Driscoll, founder and Preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. The article focuses on Mark’s thoughts on Bible study and it’s worth a read.

Mark believes that bible study should not only happen at Mars Hill, but that anywhere people are willing to listen and dialog it’s appropriate to open the Scripture and get to work. This approach has led him to a lot of places many would fear to go – and some would object to.

I’ve preached and led Bible studies in all kinds of places. I’ve even preached in bars. I preached at happy hour one time in the University District of Seattle. The bar owner asked me to come and preach to all the college guys drinking beer, so I did. I did a short sermon. Then I did q & a with a bunch of drunken frat guys, which was fun. I’ll preach anywhere, anytime. If it’s a round trip ticket to preach in hell, I’ll take it—as long as it’s round trip. I’ve preached at cult meetings. I have taught and answered questions at all sorts of bizarre churches. I’ve sat down with Native American shamans. I’ve done a Bible study with witches just to answer their questions.

For the record, I think we should be willing to go wherever we can get a valid hearing. Mark is a good example to us all here.

Mark goes on to share some of his thoughts on Bible study, and how to get the most out of it. He encourages others to:

1. Use the right tools: a good translation for primary use, additional translations, concordance, Bible dictionary, commentary, etc.
2. Learn to make the connection to Jesus: All of Scripture leads us to Christ. Mark says the difference between Bible reading and study is making this connection.
3. Examine yourself: Bible study should impact mind, heart and attitude. It is not about accumulating knowledge.
4. Draw application to real life: Much of the bible is written from and addresses times of suffering as well as joy. Drawing relevant application from the truths and principles of Scripture requires some Q&A both internally for the individual and verbally for the community. This is why Mark began Mars Hill with Q&A built into the worship service. The church still manages to pull this off, but via text messaging due to size and multiple campuses.

It’s a good article worth reading. Check out Bible Study Magazine here. You’d also do well to read Mark’s books. Be sure to check out Vintage Jesus, Death by Love, and Vintage Church.

James P. Boyce wrote that all who engage in theological study should do so with the proper “spirit.”

1. With reverence for truth, and especially for the truth taught in the Word of God.

2. With earnest prayer for Divine help.

3. With careful searching of heart against prejudice.

4. With timidity, as to the reception and propagation of new doctrine.

5. But with a spirit willing and anxious to examine, and to accept whatever we may be convinced is true.

6. With teachable humility, which, knowing that God has not taught us in his word all the truth that exists, not even all the truth on many a single point, accepts with implicit faith all that he has taught, and awaits his own time for that more full revelation which shall remove all our present perplexities.
Abstract of Systematic Theology