Going through seminary, students are taught to study the Bible and uphold its doctrines about God while also being encouraged not to neglect their devotional times with God. Yet during my own devotional time I, and probably many others, often ask, “Is this approach the best way to grow spiritually, or is there a better way? What could I do differently? Should I incorporate my studies with my devotions?”
Each week, I ask a different scholar two questions about how he or she spends time with the Lord and continues to love him with all their mind, strength, and heart. While no one method or style is “the only way,” we can draw on one another’s experiences.
This week I have asked Dr. B. J. Oropeza if he would share his thoughts with us.
1. How do you spend your devotional time with the Lord?
I normally start off my mornings by reading Scripture (Hebrew, then Greek). I also read other things, for example, right now I’m reading the church fathers and Grotius on Romans. I then do a morning walk and that is when I pray.
2. How do you practically seek to deepen your love for Christ?
By staying in tune with what I believe God is doing in and through me by virtue of my devotions, attending church, fasting, and hopefully be able to use my spiritual gifts again, once this epidemic is over. In my earlier years as a believer, Richard Foster’s books, Celebration of Discipline and Freedom of Simplicity, were influential on my devotional life.
Dr. B. J. Oropeza is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Azusa Pacific University and has written commentaries on both 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, a book on intertextuality and reading the Bible, has contributed to a book on Five Perspectives on Paul, and has written a three-volume set on apostasy in the New Testament.
Thank you, Dr. Oropeza!
Other Scholars’ Devotions
- Andrew Abernethy
- Michael Bird
- Craig Blomberg
- Darrell Bock
- Gerry Breshears
- Denny Burk
- Andrew Das
- Stephen Dempster
- Jason DeRouchie
- Kyle Dunham
- James Edwards
- Matthew Emerson
- David Firth
- Stephen Fowl
- Norman Geisler
- Ben Gladd
- Joel Green
- Sigurd Grindheim
- Robert Gundry
- Nijay Gupta
- Jim Hamilton
- Matthew Harmon
- Charles Lee Irons
- Dru Johnson (a fan favorite)
- Dru Johnson Redux (the extended edition)
- Craig Keener
- Edward (Mickey) Klink
- Melissa Kruger
- Tremper Longman
- Ernest Lucas
- Ken Magnuson
- David Moffitt
- Jonathan Moo
- B. J. Oropeza
- Amy Peeler
- Nicholas Perrin
- Patrick Schreiner
- Tom Schreiner
- Brandon Smith
- Douglas Stuart
- Frank Thielman
- Robert Wall
- Bruce Ware
- Rikk Watts
- Trevin Wax
- Cynthia Long Westfall
- Ben Witherington
- Kevin Youngblood
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