God
has revealed himself to us in the Bible and he wants us to
understand his message. In this session, we will look at how
you can go about interpreting the Bible for yourself. We will
introduce some ideas and methods which will help you interpret
the Bible accurately and confidently. We will look at the
great variety of literary styles used in the Bible and how
you can decide what is figurative and what is literal.
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The
Bible interprets itself
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The
key to easier (not easy) understanding of the Bible is found
within its own pages. Our tendency is to not look far enough
for answers within the book when we encounter something
we do not understand. A basic principle in reading the Bible
more effectively lies in this simple fact:
Your
questions about what the Bible teaches are answered in
the Bible.
Answers
are found near and far. Look in the same chapter or surrounding
chapters:
Jesus'
explanation of the parable of the Sower
Matthew
13:3-8 compare Matthew 13:18-23 (note they are not adjacent)
Nebuchadnezzar's
vision of the image
Daniel
2:3145
Sometimes
it is helpful to look in other books of the Bible too (especially
New vs Old Testament).
How
long was Moses in Midian? - Exodus 2:15; 3:1-4 compare
Acts 7:30-31
DO
·
Look first to the Bible for answers to questions
·
Read all of the Bible to find answers to your questions
·
Write down your question (it may be a while before you
get an answer)
DON'T
·
Expect quick answers
·
Look at isolated passages and draw conclusions
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Why
the Bible is difficult to read
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If
you find the Bible difficult to read, it's probably because
it is difficult to read! Once we accept this fact and realize
that God has a purpose for it, then frustration turns to
challenge. Millions of readers work on the Sunday Crossword
puzzle. How many spend a few minutes to unlock small puzzles
of Scripture?
After
all, God wrote the book and has told us
As
the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your
thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
In
fact, God has given us a Bible which contains some things
which are clear on first reading, and some things which
he has deliberately made difficult.
It
is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out
a matter is the glory of kings. (Proverbs 25:2)
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Why
did Jesus speak in parables?
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The
disciples posed this question to him in Matthew 13:10. His
answer reveals that it is a separation process.
"The
knowledge of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you,
but not to them."
In
other words, by speaking in parables he was sifting out
the people who were not willing to search out their meaning.
(If you wonder if this is fair, consider Paul's comment
in Romans 9:18-21.)
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How
does one gain understanding?
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1.
By application of time and energy.
Social status or financial position will not give anyone
an advantage over another. Understanding requires a purchase
'without money'.
Isaiah
55:1-3; Proverbs 23:23
2.
Slowly!
God never revealed anything all at once and has always
taught a sure slow effective method of achieving a task.
You cannot speed-read the Bible.
Hebrews
1:1; Exodus 23:29
3.
With faith
We must ask God through prayer to help us understand.
Understanding is assured if we believe and are patient.
Matthew
7:7-8; James 1:5-6
