I turned the pages of Oswald Chambers‘ Bible several years ago at Wheaton College’s Special Collection Library.
A black leather Bible he bequeathed to his student Eva Spink prior to leaving for World War I in Egypt, Oswald’s King James Version was well worn.
(Eva treasured the gift the rest of her life. It wasn’t his only Bible, of course; leaving for a war meant he downsized his possessions.) 
The Bible was a living document to him and Oswald used it every day for his devotions, study and as he lectured.
He was the principal of a Bible Training College (BTC) he founded and his wife Biddy ran.
Oswald Chambers’ Bible lecture notes
Oswald spoke extemporaneously on the League of Prayer circuit and while teaching at the BTC.
That does not mean, however, he did not pray, plan and outline his talks.
You can see outlines in these photos taken of his Bible.
Clippings in Oswald Chambers’ Bible
Oswald Chambers honored the Bible, but wasn’t above cutting it up in his studies.
Years later, his daughter Kathleen remembered, “He used to have one Bible and cut it up and stick in the one he did special studies with.”
The interviewer commented, “Some people would think that was heretical.”
Kathleen agreed: “Completely.”
But it served his purpose. Here’s a photo of one page with the clippings pasted in.
Oswald Chambers quotes about the Bible.
Obviously, as the principal of the Bible Training College, Oswald thought and talked about the Bible all the time. Here are a few select quotes from his books.
“The Bible deals with what no ordinary mind sees—the scenery behind the things that are seen.” (Baffled to Fight Better)
“In the Bible it is never—Should a Christian sin? The Bible puts it emphatically—A Christian must not sin.” (My Utmost for His Highest, August 15)
“The Bible reveals that apart from the Spirit of God men have no moving emotion towards God, they are described as “dead.” (Biblical Ethics)
“We are not asked to believe the Bible, but to believe the One Whom the Bible reveals (cf. John 5:39–40 ).” (My Utmost for His Highest; May 6)
“If the Bible agreed with modern science, it would soon be out of date, because, in the very nature of things, modern science is bound to change. Genesis 1 indicates that God created the earth and the life on the earth in order to fit the world for man.” (Biblical Psychology)
“We make prayer the preparation for work, it is never that in the Bible. Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.” (My Utmost for His Highest, June 26)
“Faith in the Bible is faith in God against every thing that contradicts Him—‘I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.’ “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”—this is the most sublime utterance of faith in the whole of the Bible.” (My Utmost for His Highest, October 31)
To read about Biddy Chambers’ Bible, click here.
Tweetables
What did Oswald Chambers think about the Bible? Click to Tweet
What kind of Bible did Oswald Chambers use? Click to Tweet
Oswald Chambers’ Bible: clippings, quotes and drawings. Click to Tweet
Every month in 2017, I’ll be telling the stories about God’s leading and my blessed–and astonished–reactions while writing Mrs. Oswald Chambers
The next newsletter comes out June 20: How an Australian surprised me out of mourning Oswald Chambers.
Michelle, thank you for a very interesting post. I love history, and this is a fascinating look inside a wonderful man of God. Really enjoyed it!
It’s good to see you back, Jim, and thanks for the retweet as well. Last Friday I wrote about Biddy’s Bible after someone expressed surprise it was a Scofield Reference! That was interesting to research, too. Best wishes!