A Scholar's Devotion

A Scholar’s Devotion with Walter Strickland II

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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 asked myself, “Is this 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?”  

In this series 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. Since no one method or style is “the only way,” we can draw on one another’s experiences. 

This week I have asked Dr. Walter Strickland if he would share his thoughts with us.

1. How do you spend your devotional time with the Lord?

The shape of my devotional life changes each year. I’m doing a chronological Bible reading plan with my wife this year. Last year I did a reading plan where I read through the OT once, and the NT and Psalter twice.  Since I’ve spent a few years taking in the biblical narrative, I look forward to slowing down significantly in 2025 and working through one biblical book each quarter (probably 3 OT books and 1 NT book).

As I’ve taken in large amounts of the biblical story over the past few years, I’ve been drawn towards listening to Scripture (at times with Bible in hand), rather than reading it. My primary motivation is because I spend a lot of time researching and writing, which requires a different posture than devotional reading. While I try to intentionally approach scholarship as an act of worship, when I’m working on a book project or essay, I stand “over” the literature in order to master it. However, when I’m engaging Scripture, I stand “under” the text because it needs to master me. By this I mean that I try my best to sit under the Bible’s authority so it forms me.

2. How do you practically seek to deepen your love for Christ?

Over the years, I’ve tried my hardest not to mistake the acquisition of biblical/theological knowledge for intimacy with God. The difference between a friend and a stalker is a relationship, so I try my best to be relational with God, rather than trying to gather intel on my Savior.  I mentioned how I engage Scripture devotionally above, but I’ll add other practices that help deepen my affection for Christ. Something I try to do is pray regularly. I get terribly distracted during prayer so I’ve begun associating specific prayer needs or people in my life with daily tasks. For example, as I stretch before a workout, I pray for people at my church, or I pray for my parents on my drive to the office, etc. This has been a very helpful step toward “praying without ceasing.”

Over the years I’ve tried to understand my engagement with others, not just as a task, but as an act of worship that deepens my love for the Lord. Some examples are not assuming that leading family devotions are just for my kids, they are an opportunity for me to grow in my love for Christ, too. The same can be said for gathering with the body of Christ and any kind of Christian service.

Walter Strickland is Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology at SEBTS. He has written a book on work and vocation for Christians, kingdom diversity, and removing the stain of racism from the SBC. You can find him on his personal website and Twitter. 

Thank you, Dr. Strickland!

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