Kerux: a portfolio of Calvin Theological Seminary - Volume 42.7 - 20 Dec 2007

Tim Brown: An Inspiring and Inspired Lecture

by Nick Bierma

Dr. Tim Brown is enthusiasm. His personality is compelling, persuasive and contagious. From the moment a person walked into the room for his December 6 lecture, she knew she was about to experience something different. Dr. Brown captured our undivided attention, and he used it well.

A group of about 35 CTS students gathered for an evening to hear Dr. Brown speak on the topic of Scripture memorization. We came for a lecture but we walked away having experienced something supernatural. For some of us, this lecture was a most vivid experience of the Word made flesh. Although Tim is merely one person, he had incorporated something everlasting into himself, Truth, the very Word of God.

Dr. Brown’s commitment to Scripture memory began after seeing a theater performance on the entire Gospel of Mark; it was done by one man and the man performed it all from memory. Having been so deeply impressed by the this performance of the Word, Brown knew that if he could be so moved after paying a $5.00 entrance fee, he owed at least as much to his parishioners. He committed to memorizing the Sermon on the Mount, and presents this to the church he attends every year. In fact, people in his church change their vacation plans in order to be sure they can attend his performance. Dr. Brown is now in the process of memorizing the entire Bible, something he predicts he will complete by the time he is 84!

After settling us in with his intriguing bio, Dr. Brown surprised us all when he had us stand up; he promptly led us to the chapel where he told us he would perform some of the Sermon on the Mount. Before he began he asked us to be aware of two things: First, where does the message offend you? And, second, when do you recognize the presence of Jesus in the room?

For one, I did recognize Jesus. It was fleeting. But for those few moments I was keenly aware that I was in the presence of God. The moment was significant and moving. The beauty of the Word arouses the Holy Spirit; God refuses to be inactive in the presentation of His Word to us. It was beautiful and convicting.

Once we all experienced the power and value of Scripture memorization, we learned how we could do it ourselves. We did this by learning Psalm 134 together as a class. It was a fun project that proved to each of us that we could, in fact, do this. This was not rocket science and did not require any special training, and although it takes hard work, it was enjoyable work.

The four techniques are simple and effective:

  1. Repetition
  2. Soundedness: say the passage out loud when memorizing it.
  3. Create a Mnemonic: such as an acrostic or a pattern of letters from the beginning of each word.
  4. Hieroglyphics: Draw an image to associate with the text. We all employed this method and can testify to its worth. Dr. Brown called out to random members of the group and all were able to recite the Psalm.

The interest level of Scripture memory has been awakened at the Seminary. It is my hope we can continue this conversation and employ the gift God gave us to impact lives, including our own, in a most powerful and persuasive way. I leave you with this question: If God’s words speak for us, who can be against us?