|
Many confess that they have great difficulty in understanding the Bible and some say that it is impossible. However, Jesus commanded the apostles to "go teach all nations..." (Matt. 28). He also taught that one must do God's will to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 7:21) and certainly we must understand His will before we can do it. God has always revealed His will in terms that man could understand. Adam and Eve understood. Noah understood how to build the ark (Gen 6:13-22). Moses understood how to build the tabernacle. God gave him the pattern and demanded that he follow it (Ex. 25:40; Heb. 8:5). We too can understand.
Unfortunately, people often soon become discouraged after studying for a little while. This may be because they really did not know how to study. Because there are so many different interpretations they may actually conclude that the Bible is unintelligible. But this is a mistake. The Bible is “inspired of God” (2 Tim 3:16) and it tells us God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1Cor 14:33). Therefore, the problem must be with man.
"The discrepancies in interpretations may be accounted for upon one of four hypothesis: 1) Those who profess to draw conclusions from the Bible are dishonest; or 2) The Bible itself is unintelligible, or 3) It teaches the contradictions which are professedly drawn from it; or 4) It is not interpreted according to the proper method" (The Organon of Scriptures).
There are a number of ways to study God’s word. The most common is to read a book at a time. But unless one has some basic understanding of the Bible this method could soon seem fruitless. One must first “rightly divide” the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV). This involves understanding the difference in the Old Testament (written only to the Jews) and the New Testament that is written to both Jew and gentile. The Old Testament or “Law” was a “schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal 3:24, 25). The New Testament is the “Law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) and it is “by one spirit” that we are “all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, (1 Cor. 12:13).
In studying the Bible first realize that it is the mind of God (1 Cor. 2:16). Approach it reverently and humbly with a desire to know what it teaches. The Bible is not like a government handbook or regulation that often contradicts itself. This means there is only ONE answer as to the truth of an issue or topic. Your duty is to find the answer (Jn 8:32).
One of the most productive methods of study is by “topic.” By use of a concordance, topical bible, books, tracts etc., you can find all the scriptures relating to a topic. These scriptures must then be studied carefully, applying good hermeneutics, before coming to a logical conclusion. For instance: 1) consider who is speaking; 2) keep things in context; 3) consider who is addressed; 4) determine the meaning of words; 5) consider whether the language is literal or figurative; 6) understand obscure passages in light of simple and plain ones on the same topic; and 7) make the proper application.
Always study to know the truth, rather than to win an argument or to “prove” what you were previously taught. When people properly study the Bible they soon discover how much fun it can be, and the reward for their labor is “out of this world.”
|
