QuakerQuaker

Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

Studying the Bible

I came across a request from Micah Bales for suggestions he could give someone on the best way to study the Bible. I took a quick look at some of the suggestions and decided there really wasn't anything I could add as they seemed to be pretty good. However, this morning the inner voice spoke up and made the following suggestion which probably applies to all of us - Bible scholars, neophytes, and bible illiterates alike.

Before undertaking to study the bible, know the bible and know the Author. Gather up several versions of the bible. A paraphrased version that you find easy to read, one that has an excellent concordance (KJV probably has the best concordance but with today's software this might no longer be the case), an amplified bible, a literal translation that you enjoy reading and a pocket New Testament or gospel of John for reading at lunch and break times. Put the paraphrased version in your favorite reading location - yes that might be near a throne. Start a read the bible in one year program (lots of them available) and use it for one of the better translations that you enjoy reading. Read a chapter of the Book of Proverbs each day - first chapter on the first, second on the second, etc. If a month doesn't have enough days read the remaining chapters on the last day of the month. Read a paraphrased version of the bible from beginning to end so you will know where the different books fit in and who lived when.

Ask God for light and understanding.

Pay attention to leadings. Someplace along the way you will get a leading to go someplace different or pray something different. If you get a chance to have someone pray with you to receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost go for it. The Holy Ghost wrote the book and He can guide you better than anyone. If you get a leading while reading the bible t0 pray a certain prayer, go for it.

After a year or two and several readings of the bible from beginning to end and at least one or two revelations that instantaneously reveal some truth about yourself from your readings, follow your own leading on how best to study the bible.

GodSpeed

1 member likes this

Comment by Rick Massengale on 6th mo. 18, 2014 at 4:58pm: What part of my offerings would have you suggest that I am lazy and poor.

Comment by James C Schultz on 6th mo. 18, 2014 at 5:09pm: Sorry for inadvertent insult. Not intended. Used as a figure of speech only. Not everyone has a Strong's concordance when they first start reading the bible and you have to admit it takes a little while to get used to the numbering system used in Strongs. Unfortunately at my age I still tend to not be as politically correct as I should be. Of course anyone in this country can not be considered poor when contrasted with the rest of the world's population so the expression has probably outlived its usefulness or at least it's relevance in that a significant number of the world's population couldn't afford the luxury of even an Amplified Bible.

Comment by Rick Massengale on 6th mo. 18, 2014 at 7:56pm: Oh, think nothing of it James. Not offended at all. I guess I should have gone further and referenced your sound advise about "Holy Spirit" guidance when studying the Bible. That has been the key to understanding the Bible for me.

In fact, James, I have found your advise in this subject very wise and thoughtful.

Rick

Comment by Lorne Rogers on 6th mo. 24, 2014 at 5:45am: Purposefully cultivate an addiction to the bible. When you develop withdrawal symptoms, you are where you need to be.

Comment by jp on 6th mo. 26, 2014 at 4:40pm: I recently have been using Marcus Borg's EVOLUTION OF THE WORD to read through the Second Testament. He gives enough background, history, and commentary to help make sense of some of the more difficult passages. As noted by others, it is all-too easy (and very common) to misinterpret a passage (especially in the epistles) when the context/history isn't known.

Also, for Friends out there who didn't know this: the numbers for CHAPTER and VERSE were added later. Also punctuation marks. [This is particularly important in Romans, where egregious interpretations have been made because of where someone chose to end Chapter 1 and begin Chapter 2....]

Comment by James C Schultz on 6th mo. 26, 2014 at 5:04pm: The problem with the title I gave this is that it's misleading. I didn't really intend to discuss "studying" the bible. I think there's a problem with studying the bible before you know the bible and its Author. Writing is a very difficult art. It's much more limited than speaking face to face where facial expressions and tone of voice can frequently convey different messages for the same words. My biblical Christian friends often tell me I'm crazy because I suggest that perhaps, just perhaps, Paul was being sarcastic in his letter to Timothy about the necessary credentials for an elder. However, if you read the entire book and have a feeling for Paul and his sense of mission and lack of tolerance for less than heroic stoicism (see references to Mark) it certainly seems he would disdain the very question. It doesn't mean that he is being sarcastic but it's a possibility. At least, in my own opinion, if you know the book and the Author. While I am sure there is great merit to "studying" the bible and indeed we are instructed to do so by the book itself I think we too often put the cart before the horse and miss the forest for the trees.

Comment by jp on 6th mo. 26, 2014 at 5:16pm: James, I couldn't agree with you more. How about when, in 1 Cor, Paul uses the phrase, "even as the law says..." Once you've read Galatians, you know that's got to be either sarcasm or jest.

Comment by James C Schultz on 6th mo. 27, 2014 at 7:34am: Galatians 3:28 clearly, in my personal opinion, shows that Paul considers men and women, slaves and slave owners, all equal in Christ. But in Corinthians he chastises the church at Corinth for being carnal and thus under the law. Paul is pretty clear about differentiating between those who live by the spirit and are free from the law and those who are carnal and are bound by the law and we have to be careful in the same way. In Christ we have both mercy and grace. Outside of Christ not so much. Not that being in Christ is an asbestos suit as even Jesus points out that that shalt not tempt the Lord thy God

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