I would not want to give a wrong impression that an Orthodox Christian needs less Scripture. We need more – but it should be used in a right manner. Many so-called Bible studies simply increase information in an already information-overloaded world. We need not so much information as the powerful work of the Word of God moving in our heart. Thus memorization and repetition of Scripture, as prayer, is a very important and effective means of the use of Scripture. Knowing the stories of Scripture is vitally important, but applying them, not just mentally, but as prayer (as in the Canon of St. Andrew) is much more to the point of our heart’s need. From the Desert Fathers:
John, whom Emperor Marcion had exiled, reported that he and others went to Syria to visit Abba Poemen. They had questions about the hardness of the heart, but Poemen, did not understand the Greek they spoke. No one could interpret for them, and Poemen observed their embarassment. Speaking in Greek, Poemen said, “Water is naturally soft and stone is naturally hard. But let water drip continuously on a stone and it will erode. The word of God works the same way. It is soft and our hearts are hard, but if we hear the word of God frequently, it will open our hearts to reverence.”
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