As strange as it might sound, I enjoy memory work. And for what it is worth, from my subjective viewpoint, I have been blessed with a good memory. This has been a plus for me since my life’s work and labor of love is preaching the gospel of Christ. And with the type of memory I have, my style of preaching was a natural fit. Now, I do not have a photographic memory. Memory work for me is just that — work! But it is enjoyable, not difficult, work. However, because of my abiding interest in memory work I’m concerned by what I see as a downplaying of mnemonics (pronounced “ne-MON-ix”) in the learning process by both the church and society. In my judgment, what we are dealing with is the lost art of memory.
“In past ages, the ability to memorize was one of the most important attributes of an educated person. In order to be successful as a scholar in the late medieval universities, two skills were essential: fluency in Latin and the ability to memorize. Because books were rare and inaccessible to the student, their contents were read in ‘lectures’ and students progressed only to the extent that they could memorize what they heard.”
Dr. Raymond Albrektson, from his article, “Memorize Your Way To Academic Success”
Today books are not rare nor inaccessible, yet I am convinced that an emphasis on the memory and memorization is still of value and widely needed. This is especially the case, I’m certain, when it comes to Christianity and our firm belief in the Bible as our rule of faith and practice. Believing this to be the case, should we not be very familiar with and extremely accurate in our use of God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15)? And would not having on tap large reserves of the Word of God be wonderfully helpful to us in our efforts to hold “forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:16)? But why specifically memorize Scripture? Well, by memorizing Scripture:
First, we are doing what God DESIRES we do. My belief is that we can safely say it is God’s will that we memorize Scripture. For me there is no other single practice or discipline that is more useful and rewarding than committing Scripture to memory. And the Word of God can be stored in one’s mind/heart (Job 23:12; Proverbs 4:4; Hebrews 8:10). The passage from Proverbs says, “Let your heart retain my words; keep my commandments, and live.” Bending our will to God’s desire is always the route to take.
Second, we are doing that which will equip us to proclaim and DEFEND the Gospel. The Gospel requires a defense. Clearly the apostle Paul was “set for the defense of the gospel” (Philippians 1:17). And most certainly Jude, the brother of Jesus Himself, noted the need for brethren to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). In 1 Peter 3:15 we read, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Here Peter tells us what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. And the what is, “be ready to give a defense”. Preparing our will to defend God’s will is always the route to take.
Third, we are doing what will DEVELOP us in avoiding sinning against God. Sin is the great separator from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). However, memorizing God’s Word, and thus having it ever at the ready, will aid us in the avoidance of sin. David, known as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1), wrote in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” Here David tells us what to hide, where to hide it, and why to hide it. And the why is, “that I might not sin against You”. That is good enough for me! Developing our will to avoid breaking God’s will is always the route to take.
If approached with the right attitude, Scripture memorization will not only be profitable but can also be fun. These reasons for doing so are not the last word on memory work but hopefully they can point you in the right direction. Godspeed!
Minister Mel 