How to Study the Bible All Scripture is God-breathed… 2 Tim 3:16

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How to Study the BibleAll Scripture is
God-breathed 2 Tim 316

• Richard Anderson
• Baltimore YDJ
• Harvest Festival
• Washington UBF Bible Center
• November 5, 2004

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Why study the Bible?

• The Scriptures are able to make us wise for
  salvation
• Learn how to live a life that is pleasing to God
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
  (Prov 910)
• The fool has said in his heart there is no God
  (Psa 141)
• We can trust the Scripture because God is the
  source
• Bible study should lead us to Jesus
• Wisdom in highest sense is being wise for
  salvation
• Now this is eternal life that they may know
  you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
  you have sent. (Jn 173)
• Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for studying with the
  wrong point
• You diligently study the Scripturesyet you
  refuse to come to me to have life. (Jn 539-40)

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How do we study the Bible?

• Dont be lazy!
• Desire to simply obey the Bible practically is
  not enough
• Theology is not a bad word
• Every Christian is a theologian, either good or
  bad
• Not enough to say, I just want to know Jesus
• Even an answer to the simple question Who is
  Jesus? involves doctrine and theology
• A good theologian is one who is instructed by
  God
• GOAL May God raise us as scholarly Bible
  students and Bible teachers!

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How do we study the Bible?

• Role of the Holy Spirit
• In seeking application of Scripture
• Pray for divine illumination
• Humbly listen to Gods voice (teach, rebuke,
  correct, train...)
• Pray to be diligent students, not lazy
• Separate issue Discern the authors objective
  meaning
• Requires diligent study
• Crucial to recognize literary styles (e.g.
  historical narrative vs. metaphor) in order to
  correctly interpret
• KEY Need both Holy Spirit and diligent study!

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• FIRST, We study to find the meaning intended by
  the author
• The Bible is inspired by God, but He spoke
  through men
• God did not ignore the basic principles of
  writing
• The Bible is a bookthus, it is to be read like
  other books
• Natural meaning of a passage is to be interpreted
  according to normal rules of grammar, speech,
  syntax, context
• There is an important role of literary analysis
  what literary style is being used?

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• Historical books (narrative, dialogue)
• Genesis through Esther
• What is the difference between authors
  perspective in 1, 2 Kings vs. 1, 2 Chronicles?
• Exilic Author of 1, 2 Kings is concerned with
  Israels success/lack of in keeping covenants
• Post-exilic Author of 1, 2 Chronicles wants to
  know if covenants and promises to David are still
  valid?
• Historical context/Dates
• 1450 BC Exodus and conquest of Canaan
• 1000 BC Davids kingship (united kingdom of
  Israel)
• 750 BC Why were King Ahaz and all Judah shaking
  as the trees of the forest are shaken in the
  wind? (Isa 72)
• He lived in a period of world history when
  Assyria was growing in strength
• Later, Babylon would arise and defeat Assyria and
  Egypt
• Israels relatively small size, location between
  geopolitical heavyweights explains kings desire
  to make alliances for protection, though they
  were to trust in God
• 586 BC Fall of Jerusalem

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• Linguistic Forms
• Hyperbole/exaggeration
• Jesus went through all the towns and villages,
  teaching (Mt. 935)
• The whole Judean countryside and all the people
  of Jerusalem went out to him. (Mk 15)
• Does the author mean that Jesus literally went
  through every single town? That every single
  person in Jerusalem went out to see John?
• It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest
  seed you plant in the ground (Mk 431)
• But arent there actually smaller seeds? Is
  Jesus wrong? NT in error?
• Metaphor
• Jesus says, I am the gate whoever enters
  through me will be saved. (Jn 109)
• Personification
• the mountains and hills will burst into song
  before you, and all the trees of the fields will
  clap their hands. (Isa 5511)

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• Cases that are more difficult
• Did Balaams donkey really speak?
  Personification or miracle?
• Literary analysis Passage bears the marks of
  historical narrative
• Verdict Authors meaning is that this really
  happened.
• Does the serpent in Genesis really speak? What
  sort of tree is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and
  Evil?
• Literary analysis Passage bears the marks of
  historical literature, but also elements of
  symbolism as found in apocalyptic literature
• Adam is placed in a real geographic location
• Adam in portrayed as a real human being
• Adam is placed in the framework of a family
  genealogy
• Adam is listed alongside other historical figures
• Verdict Authors meaning is that Adam was a
  real historical person
• KEY Only after we have determined what kind of
  literature it is can we determine what the author
  is trying to communicate as real history

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• Wisdom literature
• Job, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes
• Associated with wise men or sages
• Concerned with practical and philosophical
  matters
• Optimistic Teach the young how to behave to
  prosper, be happy
• Pessimistic Wrestling with problem of evil,
  prosperity of the wicked (Psa 37, 73)
• Seeks to drive home truth, turn sinners from
  their wicked ways
• Can be very earthy
• Better to live on a corner of the roof than
  share a house with a quarrelsome wife (Prov
  219)
• If you find honey, eat just enoughto much of it
  and you will vomit (Prov 2516)

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• Understanding Hebrew Poetry (e.g. Psalms)
• Synonymous Parallelism when different
  lines/parts of a passage present the same thought
  in a slightly altered way
• A false witness will not go unpunished, and he
  who pours out lies will not go free. (Prov 195)
• And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
  from the evil one. (Matt 613)
• Difference between Proverb and Law Proverbs are
  catchy little couplets designed to express
  practical truisms, not moral laws applicable to
  all situations
• Proverb He who is not with me is against me
  (Matt 1230) vs. for whoever is not against you
  is for you. (Lk 950)
• Law You shall have no other gods before me.
  (Ex 20)
• Law Love the Lord your God with all your
  heart (Matt 2237)
• Proverbs should not be interpreted as prophecy or
  cause and effect promises
• The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but
  the years of the wicked are cut short (Prov
  1027)

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• Synoptic Gospels (Narrative, History)
• Matthew, Mark, Luke
• Agree extensively in language, included material,
  and order of events sayings of Jesus
• Most common view Mark first, partially used as
  source by Matthew and Luke
• Written in first century within the lifetimes of
  the Twelve, by members of the apostolic
  community
• One of the Twelve (Matthew)
• A companion of one of the Twelve (Mark)
• A coworker of Apostle Paul (Luke)
• Focus on the different concerns, audiences of
  each writer
• Matthew Jesus as King concern forJewish
  audience, emphasis on teachings, Sermon on the
  Mount
• Mark Jesus as servant of sinners simple,
  dynamic, fast-moving work of God
• Luke Jesus as Savior of all mankind, including
  Gentiles, complete, orderly

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How do we study the Bible, contd.

• Pastoral Letters
• 1, 2 Timothy, Titus
• Give instructions to Timothy and Titus concerning
  pastoral care of churches
• Probably written soon after Pauls imprisonment
  in Acts 28
• Apocalyptic
• Daniel, Ezekiel, Revelation
• Highly symbolic writing
• Contain clues to their own interpretation
• 7 stands for completeness
• stars are angels
• lampstands are churches
• Prophecy
• Isaiah through Malachi
• Fulfillment to the letter (e.g. prophecies of
  Jesus birthplace, Mic 52)
• Fulfillment in a broader scope
• See, I will send you the prophet Elijah (Mal
  45, 6) vs.
• And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit
  and power of Elijah (Lk 117)

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I. SUBJECTIVISM VS. SUBJECTIVE

• Subjectivism Distorting the objective meaning of
  passage to suit our own interests
• Think objectively about what author is saying in
  context first, rather than
• Jumping immediately into application
• Allowing personal struggle, bias to determine
  meaning
• Distinguish between objective meaning (only one)
  and subjective, personal application (possibly
  many)
• We all struggle with subjectivism, because Bible
  often says what we do not want to hear
• He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Mk 49)
• Allow the Bible to criticize us, rather than
  criticizing the Bible

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II. IMPLICIT VS. EXPLICIT

• At the resurrection people will neither marry
  nor be given in marriage they will be like the
  angels in heaven. (Matt 2230)
• Does it say angels will be without gender?
• Explicitly says we will not marry
• Implies angels also do not marry
• Does not say angels will be without gender
• So then, he who marries the virgin does right,
  but he who does not marry her does even better.
  (1 Cor 738)
• Is Paul saying marriage is bad? Or that he is
  opposed to marriage?
• No, he is making a comparison between good and
  better.
• On the evening of that first day of the week,
  when the disciples were together, with the doors
  locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood
  among them (Jn 2019)
• Does it say Jesus body dematerialized and passed
  through the door?
• Perhaps the author mentions the locked door to
  substantiate the disciples fear of the Jews
• Jesus could have come, opened the door, and
  walked in.
• He could have dematerialized and passed through
  the door, but the text does not say this.
• KEY BE CAREFUL! Differentiate between what is
  said and what is left unsaid.

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Conclusions

• We study to find the objective meaning intended
  by the author first
• Be careful! Differentiate between what is said
  and what is left unsaid
• Pray for the Holy Spirits help to discover
  personal application

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• References
• Barry, Sarah. Comments at UBF Staff Conference,
  Fall 2004, Case Western Reserve University,
  Cleveland, Ohio.
• Sproul, R. C. Knowing Scripture, 1977,
  Intervarsity Press, Downer's Grove, Illinois.
• Bibliography for Further Study
• New International Version Study Bible, Zondervan
  Publishing Co.
• Stott, J. R. W. Understanding the Bible, 2nd Ed.
  1999, Zondervan Publishing Co.

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III. PRINCIPLE VS. CUSTOM

• Burning issue To what degree is the Bible
  conditioned by culture?
• We have seen the importance of literary analysis
  and historical context for understanding what the
  author meant
• The better we understand 1st century culture, the
  easier it is to accurately understand what the
  author meant
• Scripture is neither all principle nor all local
  custom
• Optional meanings of 1 Tim 211-15 (see also 1
  Cor 11)
• Entirely custom Only applies in that culture
  where women were typically uneducated/2nd class
  citizens. Inapplicable today.
• Entirely principle/transcends culture Women
  should always be quiet and learn in full
  submission. They should never teach men.
• Partly principle/partly custom A woman should in
  principle be submissive to the man, but the way
  in which she expresses it has changed with time
  and culture.
• The issue of cultural conditioning is real and
  complexno simple answers!

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III. PRINCIPLE VS. CUSTOM, contd.

• Practical Guidelines
• Examine the Bible itself and note how principle
  can transcend custom
• Some OT laws/principles are restated in the NT
  (e.g. 7th day Sabbath, Rom 145), while others
  are discontinued (e.g., dietary, Mk 719) in the
  new redemptive context
• Principles of order/authority in marriage are
  positively restated in NT (e.g. Eph 622ff),
  while evil institutions such as slavery are only
  tolerated for a time (e.g. see Rom 131, Gal
  328)
• Dont assume the 1st century church just blended
  into the 1st century culture
• Paul does not attribute his instruction (1 Tim, 1
  Cor 11) to a local custom, rather to an event of
  Creation/Fall, so we should not either. (See
  also Eph 622ff)
• Creation ordinances indicate transcultural
  principles unless explicitly modified later
• Principles of Genesis 1, 2 are given to mankind
  as mankind (not as Jew or Greek)
• Jesus referred the Pharisees back to the creation
  norms of marriage (Matt 194-6)
• In areas of uncertainty, use the principle of
  humility
• We cannot legislate the Christian conscience
  where God has left it free.