If you follow the Coffee and Bible Time blog, the odds are good that you’re a Bible nerd. Which means you’re in good company, because this week we had the opportunity to talk to the Vice President and Publisher at Thomas Nelson Bibles: Philip Nation!
You can’t spend a minute with Philip before finding out that his greatest love is the word of God. Our conversation meandered from a discussion of the personal and ministry power of a good topical index (like the one in the brand new edition of The OPEN Bible!), to the importance of using multiple translations in your quiet time (Philip has a special place in his heart for the poetry and accessibility of the New King James Version).
Here’s what one of the world’s top Bible publishers has to say about enriching your personal time in the word of God:
Remember that the purpose of your Bible reading isn’t to finish a plan; it’s to meet God in his word.
Having some sort of a reading plan is necessary to stay consistent, but it should serve as a guide and not a regimented checklist. In the end, the Holy Spirit is the one who teaches us what Scripture really means (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:11). If you feel led to spend a day in a different book of the Bible, or linger longer in a passage you’re enjoying, listen to Him!
Learn how to ask good questions.
Be curious about what you’re reading, and ask questions of the text—and of yourself as you interact with it. In Philip’s book, Habits for Our Holiness, he suggests several questions to ask before moving on to application. The first is what he calls ‘the God question’: what does this passage tell me about God? The second is ‘the rebellion question’: in what ways have I or am I tempted to rebel against what this passage teaches?
Read the Bible in multiple translations.
We mentioned this earlier, but it’s a point worth dwelling on. Every translation of scripture falls somewhere on a spectrum between word-for-word (as close as possible to the literal meaning of the Hebrew and Greek) and thought-for-thought (more accessible and easier to understand, but the meaning has been pre-interpreted). To keep familiar passages fresh (and to get clearer insight on anything that’s confusing), Philip recommends reading a mix of both, and highlights the New King James version as striking a beautiful balance between the two.
Start incorporating a topical index into your spiritual life.
How many times have you wanted to know what the Bible said about something you were going through, or wished you could find just the right verse to encourage a friend? A good topical index can help you with that. The Nelson Topical Index in The OPEN Bible is around 300-pages long and is filled with references for passages about everything from forgiveness to predestination—even listing all the verses about God Himself (separated into subcategories, of course). The design intentionally shows how Scripture interprets Scripture, helping readers navigate challenging passages and deepen their understanding of the word of God.
Philip Nation and the 50th anniversary of The OPEN Bible reminds us of the ongoing importance of tools that help believers engage meaningfully with Scripture. Whether you’re a baby Christian or have been walking with the Lord for years, we pray that your love for God’s word will only deepen as you learn to use those tools well!
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