.

[afishamongmany]

I would strongly disagree, which is why I started this thread. The text in question can not be claimed for the US, for example. It was written to a particular people in a particular time. God's words are bound.

Now, that does not mean that there is no application for me/us. In seeing how God dealt with His people under that covenant, we learn about Him, and we learn about how He interacts with mankind, more specifically, His chosen ones.

Ok Brian then we strongly disagree
I would wave towards Romans 10:17 and 2 Timothy 2:9 but I'm bound not to by 'the single verse theorem'.
Go well
><>

 

[Goodbook]

I dont know there are general rules but i like to read one word after the other, i mean nobody can read the bible backwards.

I mean you can try but it wont make much sense.

 

[PapaZoom]

I've been reading this book on and off for a while. I'll share some quotes. See if you agree.

"The concern of the scholar is primarily with what the text meant; the concern of the layperson is usually with what it means. The believing scholar insists that we must have both. Reading the Bible with an eye only to its meaning for us can lead to a great deal of nonsense as well as to every imaginable kind of error— because it lacks controls."

Fee, Gordon D.; Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Kindle Locations 224-227). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

 

[W2L]

One of the best way to read the bible is with others, in a group setting, where scripture can be compared with scripture. Of Course its hard to do that in a partisan denominational setting, so its good to have an unbiased group.

Another key point is to allow yourself to be corrected. If you cannot do that then you are reading the bible wrong.

 

[W2L]

Meditation is needed to. We should meditate on the word, and compare scripture with scripture.

I'm not a fan of denominations either, I believe its impossible to read the bible correctly when we follow a denomination. After all, whats the point in reading the bible if your denomination already has all the answers?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'm glad you brought this up. I always get nervous when someone shares a verse and in the intro they explain that the HS led them into understanding the verse. But several people in the room see it differently. But the HS will lead us into all truth! Well, then why do we see through a glass dimly? I trust the HS but I don't trust myself and don't put my trust in others (for understanding the Bible). Yet Iron sharpens Iron so clearly we need each other and learn from each other. The answer is to be a good Berean and study those things for oneself.

I hope that all makes sense.

Great comments, Papa! None of us should get over-confident. (Although, I am growing fond of the grammar typo I made in my previous post, where I said "Spirit Lead." )

It is unfortunate that in some cases I've witnessed--nay, experienced--fellow Christians who could be better described as "Lead dulling Lead," in their handling of the Bible rather than as "Iron sharpening Iron." So, I guess in some sense of my newly coined term, they are, "Spirit Lead."

2PhiloVoid

 

[jimmyjimmy]

.

 

[W2L]

We read the Bible in an incredibly narcissistic manner. We think that the US is the new Nation of Israel. We think every Bible verse is directly written to us, and we think that there is a personalized version of Christianity, for all of the "special little snowflakes".

The two important question we must ask when reading a text are, what was the authors intent and what did the original hearer think of what was said. That's how we can arrive at a proper understanding.

You are the one preaching Republican politics all the time, along with war against Islam and death penalties for criminals. Are you sure you are not Gods "special little snowflake"?

 

[Job8]

Are there some general rules we can use to help us in our understanding of God's word?

Before one picks up the Bible to read it, the first question which should be asked is "What is the primary purpose of the Bible?" And the answer is to bring humanity to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. So while the Bible is a true and historical narrative, the focus must always be on the Gospel and on Christ. And the Gospel can be found on every page.

Secondly, the Bible is not merely to be read but to be (1) studied and (2) applied. Too many Christians are merely reading the Bible, and the spiritual confusion which is all around us is because few are personally studying and properly interpreting what is said. Allowing man-made doctrines to determine how we receive Bible truth is folly.

Thirdly, the Bible is not just words on paper but a living Word -- it is energized by the Holy Spirit and is meant to change hearts, minds, and attitudes. The Bible must have an impact on the soul and spirit. Therefore a sermon must have more Bible quotations than man's words (although the opposite is generally true).

 

[jimmyjimmy]

.

 

[civilwarbuff]

We read the Bible in an incredibly narcissistic manner. We think that the US is the new Nation of Israel. We think every Bible verse is directly written to us, and we think that there is a personalized version of Christianity, for all of us "special little snowflakes".

The two important questions we must ask when reading a text are, what was the author's intent and what did the original hearer think of what was said - how did the original hearer understand what was said/written? That's how we can arrive at a proper understanding.

This sounds like a way to understand a book written to/for dead people. Now if I just want a historical perspective, OK. But the Bible is more than just what was said and how was it understood thousands of years ago. If our God is alive His word is also alive and has as much meaning today as it did when first spoken.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

.

 

[Resha Caner]

Listen to those who have come before you.

 

[dqhall]

I read the Bible twice, then read on a book by book basis. It took decades to gain experience. I would advise using study guides. It was helpful for me to study ancient Near Eastern history and archaeology, Egyptology, Roman era history, the Talmud and Biblical geography. Not everyone will need to study the Bible that much. In order to memorize a book, you need to read it over and over again. In order to understand what is in a book, you will need the guidance of God. Not all books are of equal importance.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The Bible story becomes part of your thinking as you go along, but no one thinks quite the same as another.

 

[Job8]

I wouldn't agree with this, as I've listen to some of the best preachers alive, not one sermon they've preached would meet this arbitrary standard.

You will find that this *arbitrary* standard is to be found in Acts chapter 2 where over 3,000 souls were saved.

How did you arrive at this conclusion?

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name... And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 20:30,31; 21:25)

 

[Norbert L]

Are there some general rules we can use to help us in our understanding of God's word?

Please share your thoughts.

One major thing, God interacted with real people. Those people who are 1000's of years apart from today, may not necessarily understand His word to them in the same way we do. What I imagine God's word meant to mankind and what they were actually hearing from a real life living God can be two very VERY different things.

 

[tulc]

I'm glad you brought this up. I always get nervous when someone shares a verse and in the intro they explain that the HS led them into understanding the verse. But several people in the room see it differently. But the HS will lead us into all truth! Well, then why do we see through a glass dimly? I trust the HS but I don't trust myself and don't put my trust in others (for understanding the Bible). Yet Iron sharpens Iron so clearly we need each other and learn from each other. The answer is to be a good Berean and study those things for oneself.

I hope that all makes sense.

Makes sense and is well said!
tulc(is liking this thread a lot!)

 

[tulc]

You are the one preaching Republican politics all the time, along with war against Islam and death penalties for criminals. Are you sure you are not Gods "special little snowflake"?

excuse me, this thread isn't about that, and since there are several other forums where that can be discussed perhaps we could keep those things in those threads instead?
tulc(not a mod, just someone who is enjoying this thread)

 

[PapaZoom]

You are the one preaching Republican politics all the time, along with war against Islam and death penalties for criminals. Are you sure you are not Gods "special little snowflake"?

Yeah, don't bother addressing the substance of his arguments. Just call names.