Bible 101

[StogusMaximus]

This thread will contain some basic Bible study.

1. What is the Bible.
2. History of the Bible.
3. Parts of the Bible.
4. How to read the Bible.
5. Important passages and highlights.
6. Questions and answers about the Bible.

*****This is basic Bible study. There will be no in-depth study or debate on the Bible. To participate in complex Bible study please go to The Workshop.******

 

[StogusMaximus]

BIBLE BACKGROUND
Even with so many different writers and subjects, all parts of the Bible agree with one another. Though the writers were divided by class, period, country and disposition, there is wonderful harmony in all they wrote. There is no contradiction or disagreement. Whence came this wonderful unity? From God! They all wrote by divine inspiration. They were God's agents, proclaiming His message to humanity.

INSPIRATION
All Scripture is inspired by God. Often it says in the Bible "Thus saith the Lord . . ." or "The word of the Lord came unto me saying . . ." God spoke to men who then recorded His words, not their own.

 

[StogusMaximus]

BIBLE FACTS
Holy Bible: means "holy, or separate book" ("holy" means "set apart" or "separate;" "Bible" is derived from the Greek word biblia, "books")
The Bible contains 66 books
In the Old Testament there are 39 books
In the New Testament there are 27 books
There were over 40 writers including kings and peasants, doctors and fishermen, princes and herdsmen, poets and labourers, rich and poor, educated and uneducated
It was written over a period of 1600 years
There are 2,930 characters in 1,551 places
There is every imaginable literary form (poetry, prose, etc.).

 

[StogusMaximus]

HOW SHOULD WE APPROACH READING THE BIBLE?
If we are to gain what we can from Bible study, we need to approach it with the right attitudes. We need to be open to the Bible's teachings, and this may mean exposing ourselves to new ideas. If we approach all ideas with a "fortress mentality" --thinking that our main job is to defend the walls that we have built up--we will have very little space for growth.

The Bible is a book of strength that has withstood all kinds of attacks during its history. As in all other areas of study, scholars build upon and re-evaluate the work of earlier scholars. We need not fear examining new ideas and evaluating them carefully in the light of all the teachings of the Bible.

We need an attitude of willingness to meditate on what we are learning and to think through for ourselves how our learning can and should be applied in our own lives. To do this, it is usually helpful to share our ideas and interpretations with other Bible students for discussion and evaluation. We can learn from each other.

Bible study is trying work. It is also exhilarating and life changing. The study of the Bible can enrich us as no other study can. You will experience a new exhilaration as you learn to make your own judgments based on firm principles, and the Bible will become more alive and powerful in your life. Remember, God intended for you to understand this remarkable book and to meet Him in its pages.

 

[StogusMaximus]

BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR READING THE BIBLE
Study every passage within its literary context. Literary context includes both a text's immediate setting (the verses around it) and its relationship to the entire book.
Recognize that the cultural, social and historical environment represented in a biblical passage differs from that of today, and then try to understand a passage in light of those differences.
Translations often reflect the translator's understanding. Therefore, when studying a passage, compare several translations, or versions, to try and discover the most likely meaning of a word or phrase.
Interpret any single passage in light of what the author has written elsewhere.
Interpret the Bible as a whole. That is, interpret the Bible in light of the entire message of the Bible.

 

[StogusMaximus]

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN READING:

What is the main subject?
Who are the main people?
What does it say about God?
What does it say about Christ?
What is the key or main verse?
What is the central lesson?
What are the main promises?
What are the main commandments or instructions?
What error should I avoid?
What example is there to follow?
What do I need most in this chapter to apply to my life today?
Are there cross references that can be used to develop the theme of the passage or add clarity of understanding?
Are there any key words or phrases? Do they appear in other sections of the same book as well as other books?
Are there any words I should look up to clarify a definition?

 

[Mandy]

Excellent information Stogus!

I would also like to add that an important thing to do when you do read, do not skip around. Think of reading the Bible almost as you would a novel from beginning to end except, I suggest starting with the book of John and then reading through the rest of the New Testament and then going back to Matthew and then reading through the New Testament again. The New Testament is very important in the beginning because it teaches how we should live the Christian life.
So after going through the New Testament start reading from Genesis on. There are quite a few different reading plans and I think most Bibles contain the read the Bible in a year.
Also I believe praying for understanding helps open our hearts and mind to God's word.

 

[StogusMaximus]

OLD TESTAMENT

The books of the Old Testament fall into four main sections:-

(a) THE BOOKS OF MOSES
The first book is called Genesis, which means the beginning. It tells us about God's dealings with the first men on the earth. Then follow Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. They tell how God called Abraham, made a covenant with him and with his descendants, brought them out of Egypt and gave them the land now called Israel.

(b) THE HISTORICAL BOOKS
These, from the Book of Joshua to the Book of Esther, are a record of the history of the Israelites (or Jews) and of God's dealings with them.

(c) THE POETIC BOOKS
The books of Job, the Psalms, the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs were written in Hebrew (the language of the Israelites) in poetic form. They contain much important teaching about the ways of God and the feelings and duties of man.

(d)THE BOOKS OF THE PROPHETS
The word prophet means seer - one who has insight or visions, not only of future events, but also of God's requirements of man. The long prophetic books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel are followed by a number of shorter ones.


THE NEW TESTAMENT

(a) THE GOSPEL RECORDS
These are four separate accounts of the life of Christ, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; each is telling the gospel (the good news) in his own way.

(b) THE BOOK CALLED “THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES”
This was written by Luke and tells what happened after Jesus Christ was risen from the dead. We are told how the first churches were formed as the apostles carried the good news throughout the Roman Empire.

(c) THE LETTERS
These were written by some of the apostles to help the early believers in the small, scattered, young churches.

(d) THE BOOK OF REVELATION
This was the last message of Jesus, given in vision to the Apostle John.