Preface 15
Introduction 19
Part 1 The Ultimate Goal of Reading the Bible
Introduction to Part 1: The Proposal 37
1. Reading the Bible toward God's Ultimate Goal 41
"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
2. Reading the Bible toward White-Hot Worship 55
"Because you are lukewarm, … I will spit you out of my mouth."
3. Reading to See Supreme Worth and Beauty, Part 1 65
"When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ."
4. Reading to See Supreme Worth and Beauty, Part 2 75
"When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed."
5. Reading to See Supreme Worth and Beauty, Part 3 87
"My eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
6. Reading to Savor His Excellence, Part 1 99
"You have tasted that the Lord is good."
7. Reading to Savor His Excellence, Part 2 117
"These things I speak … that they may have my joy."
8. Reading to Be Transformed, Part 1 135
"We all …, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed from one degree of glory to another."
9. Reading to Be Transformed, Part 2 151
"Their abundance of joy … overflowed in … generosity."
10. Reading toward the Consummation 163
"Ransomed … for God from every tribe."
Part 2 The Supernatural Act of Reading the Bible
Introduction to Part 2 179
11. The Necessity and Possibility of Reading the Bible Supernaturally 183
"He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures."
12. Why the Pharisees Couldn't Read 197
"Have you never read … the Scriptures."
13. New Testament Pictures of Bible Reading as a Supernatural Act 211
"Receive with meekness the implanted word."
Part 3 The Natural Act of Reading the Bible Supernaturally
Introduction to Part 3 225
14. God Forbid That We Despise His Natural Gifts 231
"Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."
15. Humility Throws Open a Thousand Windows 243
"He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way."
16. The Indispensable Place of Prayer in Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Wakening Our Desire for the Word 251
"Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain."
17. The Indispensable Place of Prayer in Reading the Bible Supernaturally: To See, Savor, and Love with a United Heart 263
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
18. Reading the Bible by Faith in the Promises of God 277
"I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
19. Reading the Bible by Faith in His Promise to Instruct Us 285
"Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way."
20. The Ordinary Aim of Reading: The Meaning of Meaning 295
"We are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand."
21. The Ordinary Aim of Reading: Five Reasons to Define Meaning as What the Author Intended to Communicate 303
"I wrote to you in my letter … not at all meaning …"
22. The Ordinary Aim of Reading: God's Intention through Man's Intention 313
"The things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord."
23. The Power of Patience and Aggressive Attentiveness 325
"If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures …"
24. Active Reading Means Asking Questions 339
"Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding."
25. Asking Questions about Words and Phrases 351
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple."
26. Propositions: Collections of Nuggets or Links in a Chain? 365
"He spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading …"
27. Querying the Text about Paradoxes, Pleasures, and a Transformed Life 375
"The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever."
Conclusion 391
Appendix: Arcing 395
A Word of Thanks 412
General Index 414
Scripture Index 423
Desiring God Note on Resources 432