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[jimmyjimmy]

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[Paidiske]

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?

Might be a fair point, if the denomination claims to have "all the answers." Not all do.

How to read the Bible? Many good points have been made. I think my first thought is actually "daily." Because then the images and ideas of the Bible are not foreign but gradually become integrated into your own patterns of thought and imagination and shape your life.

 

[brinny]

brinny said: ↑
Ask God to shed His Light on it, through His Holy Spirit, and pray to be "hungry" for, and to "delight" in His Word?

Yo Brinny, Your new image is cool but I'm gonna miss dem socks ><>

Whatz doz socks gots ta do wif what i posted?

(they're on vacation)

 

[timewerx]

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

Please share your thoughts.

Tell me what you think of these verses:

John 16:13 and 1 John 2:27

"ye need not that any man teach you"


Tell me about it!
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[afishamongmany]

brinny said: ↑
Ask God to shed His Light on it, through His Holy Spirit, and pray to be "hungry" for, and to "delight" in His Word?

Whatz doz socks gots ta do wif what i posted?

(they're on vacation)

Romans 10 (and Isaiah 52:7)
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Dem soxs, dem soxs, dem dry soxs!

Now hear the word of The Lord!

Sorry Brian, just a bit of froth on the coffee
><>

 

[brinny]

Romans 10 (and Isaiah 52:7)
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Dem soxs, dem soxs, dem dry soxs!

Now hear the word of The Lord!

Sorry Brian, just a bit of froth on the coffee
><>

hahahaaaa!

Great verses, by the way

 

[afishamongmany]

Tell me what you think of these verses:

John 16:13 and 1 John 2:27
"ye need not that any man teach you"

Tell me about it! .
.
.

Good one timewerx. We think we understand and then ...
Also, a worthwhile study would be how the New Testament 'teachers' use Old Testament 'teaching' as with Romans10/Isaiah52 in my previous post. ><>

 

[greenguzzi]

You can read it a historical narrative

There is no singular "it". The Bible is a collection of books. You can read the historical books as historical narratives, but you can't read the non-historical books as historical narratives.

For example; reading Genesis, Job, or The Revelation as though they were historical narratives will result in much error. But reading Acts or Luke's Gospel in the same way will not.

 

[greenguzzi]

There are two general ways to read the Bible.

Actually, there are at least ten general ways to read the Bible.

Or, you can read it like an owner's manual, or encyclopedia

As you imply, that's not a good idea. Here's why...
http://theologicalgraffiti.com/bible-is-not-a-database

 

[Gregory Thompson]

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

Please share your thoughts.

I find it helpful to look at the foundation passages to give me bearing.
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For example, the foundation of "law" is the concept of mutual respect, to not cause harm, and to prevent from harm. This foundation is taken from Romans 13:8-10.
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I find when looking at any teaching of God, remembering the words of Jesus that the foundation of those teachings is mutual respect of those around you, and to love God with everything that is within you. This foundation is taken from Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28 & Matthew 22:36-40. Since it is repeated as Jesus saying it in 3 of the gospels ... This is probably an important point. The question in Mark is the most important commandment, the question in Matthew is the greatest commandment, and the question in Luke is how do I inherit eternal life? So i'd say this concept is the most important to heed when moving from observation to interpretation when looking at a verse or passage or theological concept.
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Another good thing to understand is that "anything that does not come from faith is sin" this includes bible interpretations. As it is common to have "trust" issues, it is good to watch for this blind spot, and to allow the passage to say what it says .. and not hold back because you want it to say something else. This foundation comes from Romans 14:23.
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Jesus used parables to teach, therefore using observations of the creation are useful when interpreting the bible. This foundation taken from 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
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Which leads to the next point, all scripture is god breathed and useful for the purposes set out in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, including the Psalms, the song of Solomon, and the parables. If it teaches something you don't like, it doesn't matter, it's still useful for teaching.
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There is a character to an interpretation, and when looking at myriads of passages it becomes common to look at everything written as a command. However, I would counsel against that because the fruit of the spirit against such ... there is no law .. so try to interpret on that level. This foundation taken from Galatians 5:22-23.
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Because there is a greater commandment in "the law" and a "most important teaching" as illustrated in the golden rule passages, this indicates that while all scripture is useful ... some concepts take priority. Otherwise, Jesus would have answered in Mark 12:28-31 & Matthew 22:36-40 ... Greatest? most important? what are you talking about? All scriptures are equally as important and as great as the next, gee .. people these days.
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When reading passages about the law, I remember what James said about the perfect law of liberty while contrasting it with the mosaic law, to me it says that we are redeemed so we should act like it, we are forgiven therefore forgive. For if we judge without mercy, we too will be judged without mercy. Foundation taken from the James' letter, Matthew 7:1-4, and Matthew 18:21-35
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A passage that I find very helpful when looking at the end conclusion of an interpretation is the "God is love" section of the 1st John letter. It says that love is matured (made perfect) in us so that we will have confidence (boldness) on the day of judgment because in this world we are like him. Since like the Luke 10:25-28, it refers to how it affects our end destination positively, I take this a priority text when examining my own spiritual development and when interpreting bible verses to reflect this preference in the apostolic teaching. This foundation taken from 1 John 4:16-18.

 

[Noxot]

one of the most important things to do in reading is inner humility and prayer to God.

Prov 3:1-10 (YLT)
My son! my law forget not, And my commands let thy heart keep, For length of days and years, Life and peace they do add to thee. Let not kindness and truth forsake thee, Bind them on thy neck, Write them on the tablet of thy heart, And find grace and good understanding In the eyes of God and man. Trust unto Jehovah with all thy heart, And unto thine own understanding lean not. In all thy ways know thou Him, And He doth make straight thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, Fear Jehovah, and turn aside from evil. Healing it is to thy navel, And moistening to thy bones. Honour Jehovah from thy substance, And from the beginning of all thine increase; And filled are thy barns with plenty, And with new wine thy presses break forth.

another key is to live in the kingdom of God. if you are constantly giving heed to deceiving evil spirits then you will get poison instead of truth... but thanks be to God:

Mark 16:17-18 (YLT)
`And signs shall accompany those believing these things; in my name demons they shall cast out; with new tongues they shall speak; serpents they shall take up; and if any deadly thing they may drink, it shall not hurt them; on the ailing they shall lay hands, and they shall be well.'

when we are in the kingdom we are around good angels and they help to teach us as the Lord pleases. and the Lord allows evil ones to come and try to influence us as well to test us and see if we shall be good or if we will go astray and lust after evil.

 

[Noxot]

For example; reading Genesis, Job, or The Revelation as though they were historical narratives will result in much error. But reading Acts or Luke's Gospel in the same way will not.

even the supposed historical accuracy of the bible that some believe in is often not accurate. God made sure to put contradictions so that people would be forced to not look at it from a purely historical pov and so that they must see it from the pov of Gods love and wisdom. Jesus oft spoke in parable because they leave room for interpretation and more clearly reveal one of Gods methods of teaching us than the wisdom-imbued historically "accurate" books such as kings would appear to show even though they too can be viewed as narratives which contain divine wisdom.

then again God has inspired some of his saints to give very detailed accounts about things humans absolutely could not have known. God works in as many ways as he desires and according to his people that he works with.

Isa 55:8-9 (YLT)
For not My thoughts are your thoughts, Nor your ways My ways, --an affirmation of Jehovah, For high have the heavens been above the earth, So high have been My ways above your ways, And My thoughts above your thoughts.

Matt 6:19-21 (YLT)
`Treasure not up to yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust disfigure, and where thieves break through and steal, but treasure up to yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth disfigure, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is, there will be also your heart.

 

[pescador]

IMHO the most important aspect in reading the Bible is to understand the social and historical context in which the sixty-six books were written. It's important to understand under what social and cultural conditions a "book" was in, to whom it was written, why it was written to them, etc. It is way too easy to misunderstand and misapply what the Bible says by imagining that it was written to 21st century people living in the culture that we do.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

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[Gregory Thompson]

In the many evangelical churches I have visited, it seems that the OT is largely ignored, which is why, in large part, the church misunderstands scripture. I think that many don't believe that the Old Testament is relevant for Christians, but trying to understand Christ and His work on our behalf, or the conflict with Satan, without understanding the OT, is like trying to understand a 1,000 page novel by starting to read it on page 750. Adding to that, nearly one third of the NT is quoting, paraphrasing or alluding to the OT.

Count up the chapters in the bible, divide by 30, read the bible in the month. You'll remember genesis by the time you reach revelation. a life changing study.

 

[greenguzzi]

In the many evangelical churches I have visited, it seems that the OT is largely ignored

Surely this is more a light on you and where you roam, rather than the state and knowledge of Christians in general.

which is why, in large part, the church misunderstands scripture.

You mean why does your church (and those you visit) misunderstand scripture.
To be clear, the Church I attend has preachers and teachers who preach from both Testaments.

In fact I would say that our senior pastor is more likely to teach from the Old than he is from the New. He's Canadian, maybe you should move.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

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[jimmyjimmy]

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[greenguzzi]

Political correctness has no regard for truth. It is only concerned with whether truth might offend.

I just love keeping up with your sigs!
This one is especially offensive.
Political Correctness is all about using language that includes the marginalised and disadvantaged. It's all about communicating with people who are socially disadvantaged and discriminated against.
Christ was pretty good at this sort of thing when He walked the Earth. I'm pretty sure you would know the scriptures I'm talking about.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

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