How can we know, and even be confident, that when we read the biblical writings we’re actually understanding them and “getting it right?” The solution isn’t to give up or just settle for someone else telling us what they think they mean… but to begin using some basic guidelines and tools to interpret the biblical writings for ourselves.
Main Points:
We read scripture on our own to be transformed and equipped to play our own role in God’s story.
What the Bible “clearly says” doesn’t always seem very clear.
We can’t let our own cultural, social, and political context overshadow the original context of Scripture.
We can’t know what a biblical text means for US until we know what it first meant to THEM
The biblical writings become clearer when we develop the proper lens through which to view them
Just because the biblical writings describe it doesn’t mean God prescribed it.
Nothing in the Old Testament Law is binding on anyone alive today
If the point of studying the biblical writings is primarily for knowledge we miss the primary point of the biblical writings.
When we learn to read, understand, and use the Bible we continually become more of who we were created to be.
Jon’s 3 Guidelines to Reading the biblical writings
05:30 Guideline #1: Use Good Tools: a good translation, a good bible dictionary, good commentaries
08:06 Guideline #2: Read the biblical writings ‘literarally’
16:20 Guideline #3: Follow a Rhythm.
Discussion Questions:
- How have you seen God’s love this week?
- What stood out or confused you in this week’s episode?
- Read 2 Timothy 3:13-17. How would you explain the differences and similarities between reading the Bible for knowledge and reading for transformation?
- What type of “rhythm” of reading and studying scripture do you think would be helpful and doable for you in this current season?
- How can your group pray for you this week?
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Episode RESOURCES
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The Bible Project:
Bible Styles (Genres)- https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/literary-styles-bible/
Book Overviews: https://bibleproject.com/explore/book-overviews/?type=old
Online Bibles/Dictionaries:
Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/
Blue Letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/
Bible Commentaries:
NT. Wright’s Everyone Series (Can buy individual books as well) https://amz.run/5iCN
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Can buy individual books as well) https://amz.run/5iCM
The Bible Knowledge Commentary https://amz.run/5iCL
Books:
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart) https://amz.run/5iCJ
Scripture and the Authority of God: How to Read the Bible Today (N.T. Wright) https://amz.run/5iCK
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SHOW NOTES
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