Some may think John MacArthur’s current radio series on 2 Peter 1 inspired what I’m about to say. No. I’ve been thinking about this matter for a few months as I’ve watched some fellow bloggers put away their blogs.

I respect them for doing so because of health concerns and/or family commitments. Both are much higher priorities than blogging, and most readers understand that. The same goes for those who need to redirect their time and energy into serving God through their local churches.

It bugs me, however, when they add that they’ve said everything they can say. Sure, within our niche of Bible study and discernment, we can’t avoid repeating the same thoughts time and again. There’s only so much to say.

But over the past six weeks I’ve subscribed to a secular blog about blogging. Although I’m learning a lot from that blog (and have implemented some of its ideas), I’ve noticed that the writers repeat their primary principles quite frequently. And I think their repetition is entirely intentional. Like most experienced teachers, the guys who run that blog know that people learn best through repetition.

John MacArthur has been defending the idea of teaching through repetition on his current broadcasts, substantiating his premise with Scripture.

¹² Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. ¹³ I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, ¹⁴ since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. ~~2 Peter 1:12-15 (ESV)

Peter also understood that, even when people know something — and even know it well — they benefit from consistent reminders. He wanted to make sure that the Christians he taught wouldn’t lose sight of the Gospel or its implications.

Neither I nor my fellow bloggers are apostles like Peter, of course, but we do our best to faithfully present Scriptural principles to help our readers grow in Christian maturity. In so doing, we often return to the same themes. Sometimes, it really does seem like we’re broken records.

But if, in typing the same Scriptural thoughts over and over again, I reinforce truth to some of you, I won’t apologize for my repetitive posts. Certainly, supposing that I’d exhausted my subject matter would be the last reason for me to quit blogging! After all, I also need to hear things from God’s Word more than once.

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