Authorial Intent

Preconceptions, Personal Feelings, and the Purity of God’s Word.


After being away on baby-bonding leave, I had to catch up on several emails this week. One email made me realize something about my reading habits.

An Email Anecdote

When I first received this email, I was offended at the words. I thought it was mean-spirited and judgmental. The email was not time-sensitive, so instead of immediately writing back, I decided to let it sit in my inbox while I gave it some thought.

After two weeks passed, I revisited the email. After reading it again, I was caught off guard. The words no longer seemed offensive. They were just stating the facts, and I no longer heard a mean-spirited or judgmental tone. I responded back in a better mood than I would have two weeks before.

Read with Heart and Mind

It’s easy to bring our preconceptions and read our personal feelings into God’s Word. While I believe God does speak to me through his word, he does it on his own terms. His authorial intentions are to be trusted. His word is pure.

Yes, our sin is serious and our need for repentance is real. But even these words are sweet and to be savored. God’s truth remains untainted, and his holiness permeates his pages. Read with your heart and mind. And when you finally get a glimpse of Jesus, you’ll find him to be good and true.

An earlier version of this article was first shared in my newsletter. I want to send you all of the free eBooks I find on the Internet. Join my free newsletter for my book reviews, articles, ministry updates, and family life. Show your support and subscribe for free.