A quote from Life Together by Dietrich
Often the difference between an experienced Christian and the novice becomes clearly apparent. It may be taken as a rule for the right reading of the Scriptures that the reader should never identify himself with the person who is speaking in the Bible. It is not I that am angered, but God; it is not I giving consolation, but God; it is not I admonishing, but God admonishing in the Scriptures. I shall be able of course to express the fact that it is God who is angered who is consoling and admonishing, not by indifferent monotony, but only with inmost concern and rapport, as one who knows that he himself is being addressed. It will make all difference between right and wrong reading of Scriptures if I do not identify myself with God but quite simply serve Him. Otherwise I will become rhetorical, emotional, sentimental, coercive and imperative; that is, I will be directing the listeners' attention to myself instead of the Word. But this is to commit the worst of sins in presenting the Scriptures.
I thought this better than anything I have to say today.
