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Reading the Bible and Praying in PublicREADING THE BIBLE AND PRAYING IN PUBLIC When Ezra read publicly, the people wept. Sometimes we weep for other reasons; does the reader not understand, believe, love or even care about the Scriptures? This bargain booklet addresses that problem, and the needs of those who lead in prayer. It displays deep convictions and long experience, but also raises doubts. Small points: bespectacled readers find eye contact and page-contact hard to achieve concurrently! Should we end with no additions at all? ‘This is the word of the Lord’ (with glad response) is useful; but mechanical afterthoughts are no better than the ‘pious ditty’ deplored here. Silence is golden; so is variety. How public is ‘The Public Reading of Scripture’? This is no quibble; what about school assemblies, youth and women’s meetings, camps, conferences, care homes, open-airs (like Ezra’s), overseas pioneering? How valid are theological guidelines that work only in a formal ‘churchy’ setting? For example, if women should not read publicly, when must they stop, having begun at home or Sunday School? If Naomi or Martha joined us, could they (let alone other sisters) never read the words they originally spoke? Why assume only one voice per reading? In Ezra’s day ‘They read…’. Rather too much priestcraft here? We are reminded that those who pray aloud inevitably teach. Some quirky doctrine can thus trickle from immature believers; the pastor’s role is vital. Stuart Olyott could have reminded us to pray for rulers and prisoners (two sadly-neglected duties) or tackled the painful singsong voice. Some who mock cathedral-style intoning (which is at least intentional) develop their own quasi-musical chant that needs zero tolerance. But much here is wholly excellent and merits larger treatment. Hungry for more? Treat your church to an evening with someone who has memorised a gospel. After hearing Lance Pierson or Alec McCowen, our reading can never again be a dismal plod. Christopher Idle,
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