|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 2:08:50 AM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
I'm just wondering how you learned to study the Bible. Did you learn on your own or did someone teach you?
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 7:27:01 AM
|
|
|
GrahamCracker
Posts: 2071
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dallas, TX
Status: offline
|
I would have to say that it wasn't just one person. I have been reading it for some 30 years and I have taken a class or two in it from Dallas Seminary's evening institute for laymen. That was one of the best classes I ever took on Bible study because I was able to ask questions about Bible study as I went along. And I took some Greek while I was at it.
There is a book by Gordon Fee entitled How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, which I recommend very much. It didn't teach me a lot of new stuff but it cleared up some things that I wasn't clear on. Josh McDowell has a book on Bible study. But it reinforced some of the things I learned in class.
I actually had a friend of mine who used to discuss context so much that I wondered exactly how he did it. I finally understood what he meant but I had to really work at it. Understanding context is hard to teach and hard to explain.
_____________________________
Larry
Sure we're under the law, everybody knows that!
When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. (Heb 10:13)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 11:58:32 AM
|
|
|
e.barrett
Posts: 29
Joined: 6/9/2008
Status: offline
|
I can't say any single person taught me, in a formal manner, how to read the Bible. But when I first became a Christian I approached it like I would any other academic discipline. I tried to find out the experts and read what they thought. Basically my pattern would be to read the Bible, read the footnotes, expert opinions, etc... And then see whether or not I agreed with their opinions.
If I didn't agree I would ask "why?". Was I wrong? Or were they? And if they were wrong, how did I justify my position over theirs?
Over time you begin to have a really good understanding (although no where close to perfect!) of the Bible and how it "works" as a document.
_____________________________
R3 - a blog devoted to understanding how to live out a life of faith
Visit it at www.r3blog.net
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 2:49:50 PM
|
|
|
rcjames
Posts: 4850
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
|
When I began to earnestly study the Bible (in my early 20's) I used what research skill I had been taught in public school (such as they were). I used a KJV bible (about all there was at the time) a strong's concordance with hebrew and greek
I guess the really important part was that I spent 4 hours a day, seven days a week of uninterrupted study for over two years. I still spend at least two hours a day reading the Script;ure, especially the New Testament.
I still do not use "2nd hand" materials such as books, commentaries, lexicons, etc. Though I do use some textbook Greek referrences along with the Srongs.
The one book I have that I have and have worn out two other copies of is "True Spirituality" by Dr. Francis Schaffer.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 3:31:07 PM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
e.barrett and rcjames,
Thanks for answering. I always find it interesting to hear how other people study their Bibles. I used to think (back in my days as a baby believer) that there was only one way to study the Bible -- inductive. But I've since found that others have their own methods and do just fine. Amazing, huh?
rc, I'm curious as to why you don't use extra-biblical materials. I haven't come across that very often.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 3:51:07 PM
|
|
|
rcjames
Posts: 4850
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: wshepherd
e.barrett and rcjames,
Thanks for answering. I always find it interesting to hear how other people study their Bibles. I used to think (back in my days as a baby believer) that there was only one way to study the Bible -- inductive. But I've since found that others have their own methods and do just fine. Amazing, huh?
rc, I'm curious as to why you don't use extra-biblical materials. I haven't come across that very often.
it is personal preference, and I do not recommend it to others. When in seminary I saw so lmany points of views by different profs that it was difficult to determine which one was correct, if any were.
So I read that;
(Joh 8:31) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
(Joh 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
and
(1Jn 2:26) These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
(1Jn 2:27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
so I stopped studying "Theoloology" (The study of the study of God), and stqrting to studying the\ology (Study of God) with the only book that I knew of that was absolute truth (The Bible).
I spent time learning about ancient languages (Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Chaldean), but did so in an acadenic letting, not in a thological setting.
I collected copies of all the older Biblical manuscripts as they became available over the years; and still use them.
I just decided that I did not need to study about man's interpretation of what God said in His Word, but what God said in His Word.
As I said it worked for me, I do not know about others.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 4:11:54 PM
|
|
|
earthless
Posts: 5234
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: where bbq pigeons roast....
Status: online
|
My dad and Dr. Adrian Rogers.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 11:29:40 PM
|
|
|
LawrenceJCaldwell
Posts: 26
Joined: 7/3/2008
Status: offline
|
That's a great question. Consider how Paul learned the Truth. He reveals his method in Galatians 1. He was personally taught by Jesus, spending three years with Him in the desert. Paul says he was taught personally and by direct revelation. Although Jesus does not teach us in this way today, he still teaches us personally. God explains in 1 John 2:27 - But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
I wonder how many of you are certain that you are taught like that?
_____________________________
Lawrence J. Caldwell
Author & Speaker
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/16/2008 11:54:23 PM
|
|
|
Liveloved
Posts: 1296
Joined: 1/22/2008
Status: offline
|
The Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide into the truth. And believe it or not, He is sufficient. He knows God and reveals God to those who desire to know Him.
I'm certainly not discounting other teachers or other sources. But they are secondary. I've gone through Howard Hendrick's teaching on Living By the Book as well. And I use other sources. I am an avid reader of those who had an intimate walk with the Lord.
But I spend time in the word and allow the Word to do His work in me. It is not study. It is a love relationship that desires to know and be known. But I am thankful for all of the people and teachers who encouraged my love for Jesus.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/17/2008 4:15:27 AM
|
|
|
Bluethread
Posts: 917
Joined: 11/8/2007
Status: online
|
Adonai taught me how to study. Even before I affirmed the Shema(Duet 6) as the proper method for studying the Scriptures, I read the Apostolic Writings from cover to cover in one day, thought about it each day and then took every opportunity to discuss it with whoever was willing. I then aquired a copy of the entire Scriptures and read it through, following the same procedure as before. When I had finished, I started again. Unfortunately, as I quickly found out, this not only was not the preferred method of study by most, but was considered quite disrespectful. Sense no religious people liked the idea of discussing the Scriptures, it was slow going. However, I persisted. Hearing a radio show where the host appeared to be honestly entertaining and answering questions, I saved up and enrolled in the school that sponsered the program.
I came to find out the program host was just a front man who only made public appearances and answered prescreened questions on th radio show. Most of what I learned there was of little practical use in studying the Scriptures an applying it to ones life. Most of it centered around number principles, color principles and the like. Fortunately, there were a couple of professors who rejected the rosetta stone method of biblical interpretation. One was an old marine who was either teaching or in His office from 6 am to 6 or 7 pm every day. Unfortunately, most of the time he was surrounded by kids from "church families" so one could not talk to Him much. However, in class, the statement that best summed up his view of bible study was, "The best translation is your own translation." When asked a question, he would say, "Let's see what the original says." as he pulled out his greek "new testament". The other was a new untenured professor, who soon got the reputation as a rebel. He spoke to us in private of the historical, grammatical and literal method of interpretation. That is about all I got from him, because he to was generally surrounded by more ardent followers, the rebellious kind of course. This was the professor who narrowly beat out my brother in publishing the new testiment timetables. Oh yes, there is my brother. Though he was older, I started the journey first so he was of little help early on since he was an ardent agnostic and I was the little brother. While he was in community college, he was impressed with an intellectual who was also a christian. He learned from him, but was not well versed in the Scriptures by the time I left for bible college. However, when I asked him, "Watch ya readin'." He would say, "You wouldn't understand it's intellectual stuff." When I persisted, he would tell me using long phylosophical and theological terms. I would then tell him what I had heard him say in more simple language and he would then say, wanting to get back to his reading, "That's right." After he left for WSU, I didn't see or talk to him much, since we were usually hundreds if not thousands of miles apart. After one year of "bible school", I had had enough and went out into the real world.
I found the real world wasn't much better. When someone would take the time to discuss things with me, they could not give answers from the Scriptures, but generally encouraged me to accept the doctrinal statement of whatever church I happened to be attending. I attended several churches over the course of the years. This is primarily because most seemed to find my questions a bit embarrassing, or I should say their lack of answers and unwillingness to discuss further. However, there were a few in each church that found great humor in this embarrassment I seemed to be causing. Finally, a family that felt it important to interact with the "worship service" crowd in hopes of finding someone who wanted to seriously discuss the Scriptures, chose the church I was attending. When their reasoned beliefs were insulted from the pulpit without any reasonable justification, I called them to apologize for the way they were treated. This lead to our discussing the Scriptures together. They asked me questions that I was ill prepared for and were more than happy to entertain questions I had, that they could not answer right away. Seeing that I was learning much more about the Scriptures in my discussions with these people than I had been able to learn in "worship service", "fellowship time" and even "sunday school", I chose to meet with them on the Sabbath. I then discovered that the method I had been using all of my life was not inappropriate as I had been lead to believe, but was indeed the proper way to study the Scriptures.
_____________________________
"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/17/2008 10:33:49 AM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
When in seminary I saw so lmany points of views by different profs that it was difficult to determine which one was correct, if any were.
When I first got saved, I started voraciously reading Christian books. Doesn't take long to discover that not all books hold to the same viewpoint, so being confronted by all the differing viewpoints led to my learning how to study the Bible.
I needed to know it for myself.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/17/2008 10:41:10 AM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: earthless
My dad and Dr. Adrian Rogers.
earthless,
That's interesting. I know hardly any people whose dad taught them how to study the Bible. I know people who's parents taught them the importance of Bible reading, but not how to study.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/17/2008 10:45:06 AM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: LawrenceJCaldwell
He was personally taught by Jesus, spending three years with Him in the desert.
Interesting that as the disciples were taught by Jesus for three years, so was Paul.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/17/2008 10:51:11 AM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
But I spend time in the word and allow the Word to do His work in me.
So important. If study of the Word does not change us and cause us to love God more, it is worthless.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/17/2008 11:02:10 AM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Bluethread
I attended several churches over the course of the years. This is primarily because most seemed to find my questions a bit embarrassing, or I should say their lack of answers and unwillingness to discuss further.
This is a problem that I have found over the years too. People are unwilling to discuss Scripture because what they know of it is what they've been taught. They haven't studied it themselves and dug answers out for themselves.
And I cannot figure that out. I'm of the opinion that church should be the place where you CAN ask the difficult questions. It's alright to ask questions, because if you can't ask questions, how are you EVER going to figure out what the answers are?
And so it all comes back to studying the Scriptures for ourselves. The tough questions should be important enough for us to sit down and dig out the answers.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/17/2008 11:19:29 PM
|
|
|
Liveloved
Posts: 1296
Joined: 1/22/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
If study of the Word does not change us and cause us to love God more, it is worthless.
Amen. That's why I hesitate using the word 'study'. In what other relationship do we 'study' to know one another? Fellowship, communion, abiding are more relational terms and a truer reflection of what is taking place. Yes, it's about being changed into His image but that's the byproduct of the time spent in fellowship.
I should also mention Bible Study Fellowship as being an important catalyst for my seeking out my friend, Jesus.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/18/2008 1:22:37 AM
|
|
|
Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3035
Joined: 6/8/2005
Status: offline
|
I took some Bible and K Greek classes in a school in MPLS and more Bible with Hebrew where I live now. However, these were very point classes with particular goals, and those goals were short-term.
Some years ago, I read Gordon Fee's How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth or is it How to Study the Bible for All It's Worth, Graham Cracker? I can't remember.
For several years, especially while widowed, I dove into the Bible for long periods of time -- days on end, while the children were in school. Those were very beneficial.
My favorite way of studying now is to just pursue a subject until I have reached the very depths of what my spiritual maturity will allow. I keep a running line of questions i have, and as I study the subjects to that point, I check them off.
_____________________________
Abiyah
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
A tree's fruit is obvious; you have to look harder for the worm hole.
G-d has only one natural Son; EVERYONE else is adopted.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/20/2008 1:21:24 PM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
IFor several years, especially while widowed, I dove into the Bible for long periods of time -- days on end, while the children were in school. Those were very beneficial.
I love days like that -- where you can just spend hours in the Bible, as much as you want. I tend to keep up a running dialogue with God while I'm doing this, and He and I have some wonderful times together.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/20/2008 2:37:30 PM
|
|
|
LawrenceJCaldwell
Posts: 26
Joined: 7/3/2008
Status: offline
|
wshepherd:
Oh that is one of the most encouraging and beautiful things I have seen expressed in a long, long time. I agree, those are the best times without equal.
I was afraid that when I posted my first reply that the backlash would be quick and opinionated. Such a delight to find that there are others who enjoy the personal, intimate, deep teaching of Jesus.
_____________________________
Lawrence J. Caldwell
Author & Speaker
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/21/2008 10:50:47 AM
|
|
|
wshepherd
Posts: 333
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: LawrenceJCaldwell
wshepherd:
Such a delight to find that there are others who enjoy the personal, intimate, deep teaching of Jesus.
I agree. Thank you for posting.
_____________________________
Wanda Shepherd
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/21/2008 11:18:19 PM
|
|
|
Carico
Posts: 470
Joined: 8/19/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: wshepherd
I'm just wondering how you learned to study the Bible. Did you learn on your own or did someone teach you?
When I was born again, I just read it. Since I didn't go to any church as a child I didn't have any preconceived doctrine from which I read the bible. So I just read the words and believe them. 
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/24/2008 12:19:14 AM
|
|
|
bzirk
Posts: 2951
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Where the deer and antelope play
Status: offline
|
In answer to the op, it was not any particular person or program. I've had lots of exposure to various people and tools that have helped me not to mention the Lord giving me insight along the way. Much of that has come through turning to the Lord -- no matter how simplistic the question, and being confident that He would shed light at some point.
But some of the practical things that have been of great help are just reading the entire Bible on several occasions, having studied Greek (and a couple of other languages as well), hermeneutics and several theology classes in school and having some really knowledgable and just plain wonderful Sunday school teachers over the years. I look back now and I'm astonished at what a wealth of teaching the Lord has provided to me.
_____________________________
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Who Taught You to Study the Bible? - 7/24/2008 12:23:52 AM
|
|
|
bzirk
Posts: 2951
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Where the deer and antelope play
Status: offline
|
BTW, I like the book Larry mentioned, How to Read the Bible for All it's Worth.
I also cannot say enough about how very important it is to read the entire Bible and more than once. It is a treat. If someone doesn't or can't study Greek or principles of interpretation, etc., that's okay. Just sit down and read the whole Bible at some point. I did this for the first time at 17-18 years old, and it rocked my world -- in a good way.  Before that happened, I had relied entirely on someone to teach me everything I should know. When I started reading it for myself the Lord was so good to help me understand, and as I said above, He made provision with teachers and various kinds of knowledge.
_____________________________
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
| | |
Forum Tools
Printable Version
