How do I read the bible?

[CoffeeGeek]

By definition an absolute truth is either true or false independent of our view of that truth. I believe Christ's resurrection is an absolute truth, independent of if absolute truth can exist.

You believe. I guessed that much, I just want to know why, or what reason you have for believing it. I could believe 'there is no gravity whether I anyone believed it or not' (let me clarify a wee bit: I could believe that even though I believe in no gravity and Bob believes there is gravity, there still is no gravity because that is an absolute whether me and Bob agree or not. So obviously there is no gravity. But that still is a standing on nothing but a belief.)

 

[CoffeeGeek]

I just read the title I put to my question about, reading the bible plainly. I don't think I've stayed on coarse.

 

[Bouke285]

I just read the title I put to my question about, reading the bible plainly. I don't think I've stayed on coarse.

It's absolutely true that you either will, or will not read this message.

Proof =), I can't even tell if we are serious anymore.

 

[CoffeeGeek]

Me neither, mon ami. Is it just me or do I always end up finding myself arguing the validity of something the average 3 year old would call me an idiot for, simply for wasting the time of day thinking about?
Is it possible to think yourself right out of your mind? or to reasonably come to the conclusion that reason can no longer reasonably be called reason, because reason has proven it unreasonable? (I actually had a guy try to pull that one on me, and no I don't believe it is reasonable, in case you had any worries). I may nead to start a new thread for that one.

 

[kql314]

Hello there- I think the best thing to do is before reading the actual Bible, maybe read a shorter synopsis of the Bible, which is all in chronological/ chapter order like the real Bible. This just gives you a solid foundation of when things happen, why, how, and all that. Gives you the basics, and will get you knowledgeable about all the key persons, etc.
There are also many Bible Handbooks which are very helpful.

Then you should go about from Page 1 reading the actual Bible. At that point, you'll be able to grasp most of it and understand better. Just my opinion... Good luck!

 

[parsley]

Give yourself time.

God will not retaliate if we don't understand everything at once. The walk of faith is life-long.

Meditation on scriptures is a long-term exploration, and new insights keep coming from understanding passages in different ways. The approach toward absolute truth is very black-and-white, and probably will not accomplish what you're looking for. If one comes to a stage of being completely right, where have they arrived?

There are also many Bible Handbooks which are very helpful.

Yes, I was thinking that too -- knowing more about the authors and times surrounding each book would give context to what was said within them.

chronological

I found a cool Bible that puts everything in chronological order, interspersing passages from different books. Hrm, it's in the car... I'll find the name later.

 

[Bouke285]

First thing's first, stay away from the King James version until you understand a modern language version. Among the top choices, being transcribed from the oldest/most reliable manuscripts we have. Are NIV 2011, excellent for the beginner and experienced alike, and the NASB more of an equivalent translation (word for word). I would strongly recommend the NIV study bible, though the notes do an awful lot of interpretation of their own, maybe a little too much.

 

[episkopos]

The Holy Spirit is an important asset in understanding scripture.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 1:20, 21
1. Read the text in its context.
Don’t just take a bit of a scripture to understand it but read it in context. He uses an example of concluding that there is no God when you read Ps 14:1 out of context.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
Psalm 14:1
2. Do not spiritualise meanings of words.
You can use a dictionary to define words in the Bible. There is no need to spiritualise its meaning.
3. Believe what you read.
Believe that what was recorded in the Bible happened as recorded.
4. Find out the meaning of Hebrew and Greek words from which the English version was translated.
Doing so would give you a clearer understanding of the verse. It is difficult to translate from one language to another and keep the same effect of the diction used.
5. Interpret punctuation marks properly.
Do not ignore the punctuation marks used. For example, a colon means that what is ahead explains what was said.
6. Understand the background (person, place and time).
Understand the background of the writer.
7. Consider secular material that throws more light on Scripture.
For instance, historical, archaeological, geographical and cultural materials can give more insight into what the Word of God is saying.
8. Interpret the Scripture by Scripture.
Do not isolate a scripture but interpret it in light of the teaching of the Bible as a whole.
9. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you His Word.
Ultimately God is the one who can teach you His Word. He has given us the Holy Spirit for that purpose. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you His Word.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
John 16:13

Dag Heward-Mills - Dag Heward-Mills

 

[Bouke285]

The Holy Spirit is an important asset in understanding scripture.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Dag Heward-Mills - Dag Heward-Mills

This scripture is referring to the men prophesying, not those receiving the prophecy. Not saying one way or the other, just pointing out this text doesn't work to proof your point here.