Study Resources

Here are some of the resources that I use when studying the Bible:


1. First of all I love e-sword it is better in my opinion than most paid Bible software, here is the description from the e-sword site;

e-Sword is a fast and effective way to study the Bible. e-Sword is feature rich and user friendly with more capabilities than you would expect in a free software package. The fact that e-Sword is free is just one of the blessings and does not speak of the quality of the software.

2. Next I use Firefox web browser with the "super drag and go" extension this makes life very easy when doing a Google search, If something looks interesting just drag the link anywhere on the page and it opens in another tab.


3. Wikipedia is a free publicly editable encyclopedia and and everyone may use and contribute to it. I use wiki as a way to get me started lots of times but usualy try to verify more important points at the library or other reference books etc...

4. Christian Classics Ethereal Library is also a priceless resource when it comes to classic Christian wittings. Here is the description from their site:

The mission of the CCEL is to build up the church by making classic Christian writings available and promoting their use.

5. And I occasionally use these sites also:

• Early Christian Writings
• CARM
• World Invisible
• Tertullian
• The Digital Christian Library
• The Gnostic Society Library
  
• Religion Timelines: Jewish History + Christianity History

6. And I sometimes use actual books, which I would like to do more but being a missionary and such I travel a lot and it just doesn't always work to carry around a library with me. (the following is a blatant advertisement) but if you want to buy some books you may as well by them from my web store and support missions in the process. Click Here to do so:)

::Disclaimer I use these resources as a library which means that I do not agree with every point of view or purpose of the site or book just as in an actual library::

If you know of other useful resources concerning Bible study please leave a comment so others can use them as well

Concerning How to Interpret the Bible

How do we interpret the Bible? Well, in two words, "very carefully" :)

Why has the interpretation of the Bible been the cause of such division in the Body of Christ? Is it because of something God put in us for good we have misused. I mean the ability to subcreate. The ability God gave us to subcreate new ways to spread His message has been used in pride to create a new message altogether.

So lets start off with our motivation in Biblical Interpretation

Why do we want to interpret the Bible? Is it...
to be right
for status
that we start trying to prove our point
Or is it that we just want to know our Father more and edify our brothers and sisters (both lost and found)

I believe that our motivation is of greater importance than our methods, although good motivation without sound methods is also to be avoided. So before you start to study be sure that you do so out of a desire of building your relationship with God. Not just wanting to know right information.

Eph 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, (16) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

1Co 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"--

Just as faith without works is dead, knowledge without love is also worthless. We are not called to be philosophers of God but rather lovers of God.

So love and relationship with God is the foundation that we should be building our knowledge of God upon.

That said, we are also called to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" and "study to show ourselves approved". We need to study and find out the truth in God's Word. If we endeavor to govern our lives by it, we need to understand the principles that are laid out in it.


Two Ways

As far as I understand, there are basically two ways to study the Bible: Inductively and Deductively. I believe the only way to study the Bible with integrity and accuracy is to study inductively.

Studying deductively is basically starting out with a concept or belief already in place and then looking at the Scriptures through that "lens". In other words, studying deductively is looking at Scripture with a biased opinion as to what the truth is.

Studying inductively is starting out with the attitude of a learner, looking through a "lens" of humility and reverence at God. It is putting our own beliefs and biased opinions on the shelf until the Word of God proves or disproves them. I'm not saying to throw out everything that you have learned from your particular denomination or tradition, but rather to hold those things with an open hand and allow God with His Spirit to form your doctrine, and remember that wisdom is found in a multitude of counselors.

Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Job 42:1-6 Then Job answered the LORD and said, (2) "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. (3) 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (4) 'Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.' (5) "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; (6) Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."

Just as Job retracted his earlier beliefs, so should we when we study the Word. I just want to reiterate, we are not searching for information about God, we are searching for God Himself.

Suggested Method

I feel it would be arrogant of me to say one method is the "only method" for studying the Bible, so from here on I will simply describe how I do it in my own life.

1. First of all, I make sure that my attitude is correct (as described above).

2. Next, pray and ask God to lead you into Truth with His Spirit.

Joh 16:13-14 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (14) "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

3. Then, I believe, we always need something to measure our studies against. A kind of standard, something we can know for sure. I believe this standard is the character of God. The Bible clearly states God's character as being loving, just, holy, etc. Therefore, any doctrine must be weighed against these characteristics. Not only reading about God in His Word, but experiencing Him and His character in your own life is crucial. You cannot separate your study and your personal relationship with God. This is the very thing that sets Christianity apart from any other belief system in the world. To separate your personal relationship with God from doctrine simply creates rules.

Gal 5:1-6 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (2) Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. (3) And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. (4) You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (5) For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (6) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

4. Next, ask questions. For example: Who, What, When, Where, Why, To Whom, and How? Also, you need to ask these questions of each verse:

• What is the context of this verse? (the surrounding verses, chapters, the book, and even context of the whole Bible message)
• What was the cultural setting at the time of the message?
  
• What was the historical setting of the message?
• What problem was this instruction addressing? (especially in the case of the epistles)
• What genre of literature am I reading? (For example, poetry, historical records, prophesy, etc)

There are some good examples of these types of questions here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_hermeneutics#Techniques_of_hermeneutics

5. Look for principles that you can apply in all areas of your life.

There are two things that you will come across when studying the Bible. The first is most obvious: methods, rules, or a way to do things. These are specific to certain times and places.

Then there are principles, motives, or why to do things. These are truths that can be applied to all people, at all times, in all cultures, and in all places.

6. Next, understand the principle of what some call "state" and "sequence". It could also be called "position" and "process" or "saved" and "sanctified".

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

For instance,
Your state is:

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Your sequence is:

Php 2:12-13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

(Notice it is God who is the source of both grace and to will and to work. Praise Him!!!)



In conclusion I Believe...

That we should sure to apply the things that God has shown you in His Word. Be doers of the Word, not studiers only. Remain teachable at all times. Don't create a "new" religion based on some understanding that you have gained. Talk about your insights with other mature Christians and hold them with an open hand.

1Pe 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

Concerning Biblical Inerrancy

What the Bible says about Itself

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
(2Ti 3:16-17)

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(Heb 4:12)

Facts on the Bible as a Whole

• The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT)
• "Bible" comes from Latin biblia, meaning "books"
• The word "testament" means "covenant"
• The Bible has 66 books
• The Bible was written by many different authors writing in many different times and places
• The Bible was written from about 1450 BC to 100 AD
• The Bible contains many literary genres - historical, poetry, wisdom literature, prophecy, letters, narratives
• The Bible was the first book to be printed, in 1454
• Miles Coverdale published the first English translation of the entire Bible in 1535
• The Bible has been translated into over 2,000 languages
• The longest book in the Bible is Psalms
• The shortest book in the Bible is 2 John

Facts about the Old Testament

• The OT is almost identical to the Jewish Tanakh
• The OT was originally written in Hebrew
• The OT has 39 books (not counting the Apocrypha)
• The names of OT books in Hebrew are based on the first prominent word or phrase in that book
• The names of OT books in Greek (and English) are based on the general topic of the book
• The books of the OT are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
• The first five books of the OT (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) are known as the Five Books of Moses, the Pentateuch, or the Torah. They are traditionally held to have been written by Moses, but modern scholars have proposed that there were four or five authors.
• The book of Esther is the only book of the Bible that never mentions God

Facts about the New Testament

• The NT was originally written in Greek
• The writers of the NT used a Greek translation of the OT known as the Septuagint
• The NT has 27 books
• The books of the NT are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude, Revelation

Other Facts

• The Bible is the most translated book in the world. It has been translated into more different languages and dialects than any other book that has been written.
• The Bible continues to be the best seller in the world.
• More than 14,000 manuscripts and fragments of the Hebrew Tanakh exist, as do numerous copies of the Septuagint, and 5,686 manuscripts of the Greek New Testament, more than any other work of antiquity.

As we talked about in my last post on truth the Bible is the Christians standard for truth and as such we must be certain as we can as to its accuracy and authority. If we will govern our lives by this book then lets take a deeper look at it.

In his book "The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict Fully Updated To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today"Josh McDowell shows how the Bible is historically reliable, I will not reproduce what the book says but will rather comment on why I believe people still don't believe it to be the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God.

I also affirm the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, it can be read at:
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Chicago_Statement_on_Biblical_Inerrancy


Based on the historical facts concerning the Bible it would be foolish to believe anything is historically reliable without first measuring it up to the Bible. But this statement doesn't mean much to the critics and I must ask myself why...Why do "they" reject the authority of the most reliable historical document known today.

No one having reasonably researched the Bible will find it to not be historically reliable, so like I said before I will Not deal with historic reliability in this article.

Having decided that the Bibles historic reliability is beyond any reasonable argument lets look at some other possible reasons to dismiss inerrancy.

this definition of inerrant will be used in this article and was taken from the "Chicago Statement" Article XII

inerrant: being free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit.

{Also please note I will be dealing with why Christians reject inerrancy}

A Case for Inerrancy

If we believe that Jesus is God then we must ask ourselves how did He use the Bible?

Jesus recognized the authority of the Bible when He used it to refute satan's temptations and then again to say that He was the fulfillment of prophecy in the book of Isaiah.

Luk 4:1-21 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness (2) for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. (3) And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." (4) And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'" (5) And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (6) And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (7) "Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours." (8) Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" (9) And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; (10) for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,' (11) and, 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" (12) And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is said, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" (13) When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. (14) And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. (15) And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. (16) And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. (17) And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, (18) "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, (19) TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." (20) And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. (21) And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Now if Jesus being God used the scripture as an authority how much more should we. He could have just said, " I am God; go away devil", but He chose to use the scripture. Why? Well Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.


And the New Testament is simply the accounts of Jesus' ministry and the teachings of the Apostles whom He appointed to feed His sheep, of Whom we are!

This is not to mention all of the other times that Jesus and the Apostles quote the Old Testament, using it to prove or give authority to what they were writing or speaking about. Maybe you have a good argument as to why we should take up another example than that of God Himself if so I would like to hear it. And if you will say that I use the Bible to prove the Bible, I would say that you use your logic to prove your logic, which is not very logical :)


Possible Reason to Refute Biblical Inerrancy

The critic has some philosophy or doctrine that doesn't line up with the Bible and rather than conclude that he could be wrong concludes that the Scripture is wrong. This seems rather arrogant or in the best case shortsighted or misled, to consider ones point of view of greater weight than a book that has stood the test of time and has never been proven wrong. Especially in relationship to doctrine (though not leaving out historical accuracy which the Bible is considered even among most septics of Christianity to be accurate) The Bible itself predicts this:

2Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, (4) and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.


In Conclusion I Believe...

That the Bible is historically reliable and as such it is either true in its original form or false. If the Bible is false then how do we know the way to salvation, if it is true then why don't we just obey its teachings rather than trying to come us with something "new" and then trying to bend the Word of God around our beliefs.
I believe that if the Bible was good enough for God it is good enough for me!!!