Reading through the Bible 2009 edition

Each new year I put less emphasis on New Year’s resolutions. This year I didn’t make any resolutions. But I did write down some general goals. Goals I hope lead me to know more of Christ.

One goal I have each year is to read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. In past years I’ve used different translations, various study Bibles and alternate reading plans with more or less ambitious specifics. In 2008 I switched my reading plan half-way through because of the release of the ESV Study Bible. I couldn’t wait to work through the ESV Study Bible’s notes, maps, and charts.

Here is what I’ve used in the recent past:

• The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (loved it, great notes)
• Read through the Bible chronologically (interesting, but confusing sometimes as you really jump around)
• Read through the Bible historically (interesting, different then chronologically, sometimes repetitive)
• Read through O.T. once a year, N.T. four times a year, Psalms twice a year – daily in the Gospels (wonderful – very ambitious – took about 30-45 min. a day)
• M‘Cheyne plan with Psalms and N.T. twice (probably the most famous reading plan – very solid)
• ESV Literary Study Bible (enjoyed the single column, bite-size divisions and literary notes)
• ESV Study Bible (ambitious because of all the great notes – I find it hard to skip any, I’m very anal)

This year I’m making a severe and unorthodox departure (gasp!!!). I’m going to read through The New Living Translation. Why would a Calvinist, confessionally-reformed woman like me choose anything other than the ESV or the RSV????

Two reasons: TECHNOLOGY and TIME. First reason is technology, you see I have a Kindle Reader. I really love the Kindle – it’s easy and light, I can make the print size large, mark passages with disappearing ink (I hate marking Bibles), make quick notes, email myself a clipping, and take the Kindle everywhere without carrying heavy books. Plus it never loses my place, and there is a great One Year Bible available through Tyndale for the Kindle. It is the New Living Translation and unlike my ESV on the Kindle I do not have to page back and forth using search functions. Paging to specific passages on the Kindle stinks! I’ve tried it, and it is a frustrating time-waster.

The second reason is time: I really want to spend more serious time in some book studies (I’m thinking Ephesians, using Boice). I also have a goal this year to read through Calvin’s Institutes. In addition – I’m trying to read more Goldsworthy and other books that help me read the Bible in context. To have all these goals – I need to keep on task and the Kindle helps me do that. There are no study notes, pages turn forward (no temptation to flip around or read ahead or behind), and there is a compelling force to read to the end of the section because of the unique formatting of the Kindle. Lastly, it’s easy to find where you left off. When you turn the Kindle back on – it automatically goes to the exact page you were last on. Bottom-line, the Kindle saves lots of time.

So it’s the New Living Translation for me this year – an unorthodox but I pray – wise choice. What are you reading this year?

Bonus: Here is a link to a number of different online plans including a very handy check-off chart to keep track of your reading.

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