When studying the Bible there are many resources, which enable the reader to understand the biblical passage. Translations and commentaries are just two tools that can be beneficial resources to understanding the Bible. When reading the Bible it is important to take your time and fully devote yourself to studying the word of God. More importantly, when reading, the reader should carefully read and ensure they understand the meaning behind the words. I will address three ways in which these two tools can help the reader become a more knowledgeable Christian through the study of God’s word.
It is important to ask key questions when reading the Bible to understand why the author is delivering their message in a particular fashion. One way we
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A commentary is a resource where the reader can confirm the key ideas behind a passage. Therefore, a commentary provides a snapshot of the message being read. As with translations, there are three categories of commentaries, which are devotional, pastoral, and technical (Cartwright & Hulshof, p. 67). Each category has its unique way of helping the reader understand the message although technical is the only category that can be used in an academic setting. Language issues and historical significance are very important to the reader to understand the context implied by the author. For instance, in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he is addressing the Early Church in one of the provinces of Roman Empire. His message was focused at the churches’ immorality that was hampering the efforts to expand the church during this pivotal time of early Christianity. Oftentimes, people merely reading the Bible may misconstrue the context behind the words claiming the Bible contradicts itself. For example, while the Corinthians, were sinful, God was using them to glorify him. This is not to say that God condoned their sinful nature but “the readers belonged to God and were set apart…to accomplish His purposes” (Hindson & Towns, 2017, p.426). Understanding the growth of the Christian church and the reason why God used the Corinthians during this time demonstrates why it is important to understand the historical context through the use of a
Michael Joseph Brown, unveils new ways to read and examine the Bible in his book, titled “What They Don’t Tell You: A Survivor’s Guide to Biblical Studies”. Although quite technical, the guide, not book, really goes into depth on the process of studying the Bible and its documents. Brown has a new and refreshing way of giving the reader this information that is necessary in a small group, or for a Biblical scholar. This guide is not meant solely for the biblical scholar and talks in detail about the difference between these two, because some may link the two together. Published by the Westminster John Knox Press, WJK for short, this book gives straight forward answers on the best way to thoroughly understand Biblical text. As you read on you will find out more about how they differ and why they appear so similar from an outside perspective. Brown has taken a wide variety of information, and made it into something interesting and extremely useful for the reader. In his own words, “What I have done is to ‘translate’ some foundational concepts in biblical studies into an idiom more people can understand” (xiii)
The book, Interpreting the New Testament, written by Daniel Harrington, is an introduction to the various types of literary and textual criticism that form the basis of good hermeneutics. Harrington begins with introducing the New Testament materials and some examples of how literary criticism might be used in figuring out what the New Testament authors meant. He moves on to a discussion on textual criticism. To provide examples of how confusing textual criticism can be, Harrington discusses Matthew 6:33 and 1 John 5:8. Both passages, Harrington explains, have variant manuscripts which might give a different theological meaning or emphasis depending on which one you used and proceeds to show which one, by the method of textual criticism, that
This quote by Gene Nowlin in his book The Paraphrased Perversion of the Bible summarizes the composition of the Bible. Throughout life, Christians grasp tightly to these words of God in hopes to inherit the Kingdom of God one day. In order to do this, they must study the Bible closely and apply it to their lives daily. Without the proper Bible, this may become a difficult task to accomplish. Although the various translations of the Christian Bible are exceptionally similar in their message, some have quite a few differences and perversions that set them apart from one another. Many of them even leave out several potentially important verses in their revision. These variations contribute to the justification of one translation being more reliable and accurate than the other versions.
Even though humans wrote the text, translating it and passing it down from generations to generations, God’s truth is unchanging. Debates of the inerrancy of the bible cannot usurp God as the King of grace. Instead of focusing on the inerrancy of the Bible, individuals who wish to seek a life of faith should focus on the inspiration God is showing them in his word. These revelations should move them into applicable, daily life changing implications from what they have learned. God shows revelations of himself through the Bible, and his character is revealed time and time again throughout scripture. Any faulty facts or discrepancies in grammar or data, should not take away from the value that scripture holds. When we read scripture we bring new meaning of interpretations of the truths God shows us, since new eras and environmental factors will be influential on how we process information. The bible is not just a fact book, telling humans stories of the past, but instead the bible is inspired instructions for how we can deal with spiritual and ethical encounters we
loved us so much that he did that for us so that is the least that we could
Harris, Stephen. Understanding The Bible. 6 ed. New York City: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2002. Print.
The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1971). Lenski, R. C. H. Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing). House, 1961.
Authority of Scripture reconciles the community with God and can transform our lives. To participate in the fuller blessing of understanding, it is important to view Scripture with historical and literary sensitivity, interpret theocentrically, ecclesially, and contextually. I realize each of these can be overwhelming to the average person who is seeking direction for a specific concern in their life. Therefore, Migliore reminds us, interpreting Scripture is practical engagement in the living of Christian faith, love, and hope in a still redeemed world. When we listen carefully to the voices of the past, from a worldwide culture, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we will open ourselves to those transformational opportunities.
The Bible Student will have more knowledge of how to interpret God’s Word when finished with the work. Fee and Stuart achieve their goal of helping the reader not only with interpretation, but with application.
Thus, an effort is made to highlight how Bible interpretation – through its publication – has developed in the history of Christianity.
First I will give you a background of exegesis. Webster's New World Dictionary(1990), defines exegesis as, the interpretation of a word, passage, etc., esp. in the Bible. This definition is a worldly. To understand the true meaning and background I looked in John H. Hays book called, Biblical Exegesis, for the answer. He says that the term "exegesis" itself comes from the Greek word exegeomai which basically meant " to lead out of." When applied to texts, it denoted the " reading out" of the meaning. The noun, therefore, could refer to "interpretation" or " explanation." Thus whenever we read a text or hear a statement which we seek to understand and interpret, we are involved in exegesis.
... In order to understand the Bible we must read it as the Psalmist says “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psa. 119:97). However there some suggestions to cope with the study of the Bible in effective manner. The Bible was written a long time ago before us. That is why we need to deal with some back grounds, context, and theology differs with our time. Some hermeneutics principles can help us how to work in the better frame of interpret the Bible, such as the literary context, historical context and how to compare Scripture.
Hermeneutics is the study of these questions and whether we can bridge the gap between these different contexts? The significance of each context is crucial for readers to have balanced perspective and balanced reading of historical texts. And context is important in hermeneutics because while the Bible was written ‘for us’ it wasn’t written ‘to us’ .
power. The reasons for studying the Bible will also be discussed along with scriptures and
Are you a cheater? One of the biggest questions in life no matter what you do is that, is cheating wrong. Everyone has there on personal opinion about cheating but as for me I think cheating isn’t right because cheating is an unfair advantage. I came up with three main reasons why cheating is wrong. Cheating is wrong because it brings an unfair advantage, you will never be able to truly say you worked for it, and it’s not just wrong for school cheating is wrong on every level no matter what you do.