God calls His people to read His Word and meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8). In this post, we will explore the concept of reading the Bible in chronological order versus canonical order, highlighting why believers need to consider a chronological Bible reading plan.
The Bible is a unique compilation of 66 books, written over about 2,000 years by more than 40 authors from diverse backgrounds who lived on three continents—Asia, Africa, and Europe—and composed their works in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
Despite the vast differences in their occupations, locations, and times, their writings collectively present a harmonious and unified message of the redemption of man. Amazing!
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It is composed of two testaments. The Old Testament starts in the chapters of Genesis and runs through to Malachi. It details the creation account, the rise of the nation of Israel, their exile, and restoration from exile. Anchored on the old covenant, it is rich in law, history, poetry, and prophecy.
On the other hand, the New Testament runs from Matthew to Revelation. It details the life and times of Jesus, the early church, and the apostles. The testament culminates with eschatology in the book of Revelation.
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It comprises the gospels and the epistles that the Apostles wrote to different churches and individuals. They pinpoint the realities of the Christian life lived in the new covenant.
However, it is important to note that the canon is not written in chronological order. This can be attributed to the diversity evident in the Bible’s writing. Now that the writings were composed for different audiences and purposes, a thematic rather than chronological arrangement made more sense.
For instance, the Old Testament is divided into categories such as the Law (Torah), History, Poetry and Wisdom, and Prophecy rather than arranged sequentially based on events.
Similarly, the New Testament is organized by literary genre, beginning with the gospels presenting parallel accounts of Jesus’ life, followed by the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles (a good number being Paul’s epistles), and Revelation, a prophecy book.
That said, God’s sovereignty is a significant factor.
You can find an annual canonical Bible reading plan from the YouVersion Bible App, the BibleGateway, or any other that works for you.
Chronological Bible reading
Canonical Bible reading is good, but reading the Bible chronologically can give you a deeper understanding of the text. As the name points out, chronological Bible reading entails reading the Bible chronologically. That is, one reads the Bible in the historical order (that is, follows the timeline in which events occurred) instead of how they appear in the Bible.
Reading the Bible in chronological order gives a clearer understanding of the historical flow of events, the development of God’s relationship with humanity, and the progression of biblical themes. This allows readers to appreciate the Bible as a continuous, unfolding narrative rather than a collection of separate books. Consequently, it leads to a richer and more cohesive understanding of God’s plan throughout history to redeem man.
This does not in any way suggest that reading the Bible as it appears in the canon is not important or less effective, far from it. God’s word is powerful regardless of how you read it, for the Holy Spirit guides and gives the connections. Yet, if you want to get a deeper understanding of the Bible and connect the narratives, you need to read the Bible in chronological order.
Conclusion: reading the Bible in chronological order
Regardless of how you go about your Bible study, try to read your Bible in chronological order at least once in your lifetime. Reading your Bible chronologically deepens comprehension by placing passages in their proper historical and cultural contexts. This allows you to make more meaningful interpretations and applications. As you go about it, keep track of your progress by setting aside time daily to study, removing barriers, and inviting others to journey together for accountability.
Kendrick Ong'anya is a freelance Christian writer based in Nairobi, Kenya. As a believer in Christ, he is passionate about writing Christian content to deepen believers' faith, even while drawing those who are yet to believe into the fold. He is open to collaborating with individuals and organisations to curate blog posts, articles, devotionals, prayer guides, verse/ chapter commentary, and e-books, among other Christian content. You can follow Kendrick on Facebook.
