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Christianity Explained Information Find Christian Unity in Biblical Explanations of the Doctrines That Count! |
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You have a choice to
make: You can either believe the opinions of theologians, atheists, or
agnostics, or you can determine for yourself what the Bible says by
studying it. |
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What Is Religion and Where Did It Originate? What Is the Bible, and How Relative Is It to My Life? What Are Messianic Prophecies? Who Was Jesus of Nazareth, Really? Why Are There So Many World Religions? Why Are There So Many Christian Denominations? What Is the Law and How Does It Apply to Me? What's All This About the End of the World and End-time Prophecies? Isn't the Book of Daniel a Closed Book? Revelation: How can anyone understand all that symbolism? Who or What Was Jesus' Mother, Mary? Didn't Darwin Disprove Creation? What's the Truth About Faith and Works? Christian E-mails: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Complete Directory of Articles/Studies
Title Abbreviations for Books of the Bible Genesis - Ge |
If It's WhatYou Really Want, You CAN Gain a Saving Understanding of Scripture.
Reading the Bible Through in a YearWhen I started exploring the Bible, I tried just reading it, but that was only half-successful. I mean, I read it through in a year and I understood the majority of the words, but I didn't get much out of it. I scanned through the boring begats, and cruised the familiar stories (I was raised in a Christian family, so I'd heard about David and Goliath, little Moses in the bullrushes, Daniel in the Lion's Den, Jesus' birth, etc.), and I didn't spend much time on them as I was reading. I did pick up some of Jesus' teachings, but I still didn't have a concept of how the Bible could affect my life, because I never saw the big picture and couldn't identify how other Christians were actually benefitting from Jesus' teachings. After all, how many of the professing Christians you know actually do what Christ taught? The problem was that, other than the questions my reading raised, I didn't have specific questions or goals in mind before I had started reading except to just read it through in a year to see if I could get the "gist" of it. And, I didn't know how to find the answers to my questions once they were raised. Well, I'm here to tell you that, except on a historical level, you can't "get the gist of it" by just reading it through in a year. There are way too many concepts involved here. Well, that's not exactly true. When I asked God to help me get something out of it every time I read, I did get little messages from from each reading. For instance, the next time I went through the begats, I found it fascinating that after the flood, man's life span rapidly went downhill. I was impressed that though Abraham and Sarah made so many mistakes, God stuck with them. In fact, though he punished many people, or allowed them to be persecuted, God stuck by all those who repented, who truly despised their own sinfulness and after being confronted with it, turned away from it. So reading the Bible through in a year is a good thing to do every year because you pick up something new to think about every time you read it. Even though you don't have a photographic memory, if you read something often enough just through "osmosis" you'll pick up verses here and there that are meaningful to you and that the Holy Spirit will be able to bring to your mind when you need them. Moreover, the more familiar with the Bible you become, the harder it will be for anyone who understands it even less than you to fool you about its contents. Keeping it OrganizedWhen I left my Christian home, I also left the church. I'd become dissatisfied with what was going on in the denomination when I was around 18 years old, and quit attending. Then I got married, and just never found the time to really look for a church, though we attended different denominations (or non-denominations) a few times (one time each). You see, I hadn't left God; I'd just left man's vision of how we should relate to God. Years later, after we'd found a church we liked and I'd returned to attending regularly (a different denomination from the one I'd grown up in) I was identifying confusing Biblical concepts. Praise God, I was introduced by someone who attended yet another denomination to a satisfactory way to study the Bible to get answers I needed and protect myself against error. The Seminars I attended were all well and good, but unless I kept all the teaching materials at hand--and I didn't--I soon forgot what I'd been "taught". That's when I realized that it's a waste of time for me to study without a notebook at hand. I suffer from "brain-sieve syndrome", sometimes called CRS (the cleaned up definition is "can't remember stuff"): if I don't write it down, chances are strong that I won't remember it, and if I do remember it, I won't remember where it's located in Scripture so I can find it for someone else who asks about it. Even more important, though, is that the messages of scripture are (besides being sometimes camoflaged and subtle) often strung out and confirmed in different books, let alone different passages of a book. I can't organize what I've read in different places in the Bible unless I write all the related scriptures together in one place! I have a super-sized spiral-top steno pad, about an inch thick with heavy cardboard covers on it. At the bottom of each page I've written a topic, like "Tithes", "Covenants and Strings", "Faith", "Works & Faith", "Truth", "Satanism", "Cults", "Admonitions", etc. They're not in any special order; I just titled the next blank page whenever a new topic I wanted to study came up. On each page is a list of Bible verses. In some instances I actually wrote out the verses and in others, I just exerpted from them, paraphrased them, or wrote a summary of them because the passage was too long and the meaning could be clearly stated in a few words or sentences. If my studies filled up the front and back of a page, I just put "continued page ##" at the bottom (yes, I numbered the front side of each page as I put a new title on it). The steno pad was useful because I often make notes on my lap with the Bible on one knee and steno pad on the other, and when I reach the back side of a page, I don't have to worry about how the pad will fit on my lap. However, since you can get them pretty small these days, I'd suggest that you choose a conveniently sized 3-ring binder to keep your notes in so you can add pages for each topic and keep them grouped together. You don't need to number the pages this way, and you can arrange the topics in alphabetical order to keep them easy to find. If you're a computer geek and use computer software for your research, you can keep a word-processing file or even a database of notes. I'd like to do this eventually with a "palm-sized" computer. Regardless of which notation method you use, some sort of organizational tool will be necessary if you're going to succeed in discovering the truth of what the Bible has to say to you.
Keeping it "Real"Many teachers like to take Bible sentences "out of context" and string them together to prove a point, like this:
Now I used the ellipsis ( . . . ) to indicate that there are words missing from the verse I quoted above, but most Bible twisters don't bother to do that. They just say "Jesus said, 'Go and do likewise.'" Of course, nobody would go to such lengths to convince a sinner to commit suicide . . . at least I hope not. But you'd be amazed at the "misreading" and "misunderstanding" of scriptures used by some overzealous preachers or teachers to try to prove a point they're trying to make. Considering the context in which any scripture verse is used, gathering together in one place all the verses dealing with a topic is the only sure way to point out the direction that Bible teachings are going.
Does It Matter Which Bible Version I Use? Yes and no. There are several problems with Bible versions, not the least of which stems from the source of the translations. Some have been translated from the Hebrew or Aramaic into Greek and then into Latin and then into English or back into Hebrew and Aramaic and then into English. Even if they were translated directly from the original Hebrew and Greek, the original words are made up of root words and endings, just like some English words are. Unlike English words, however, the meanings of the ancient words can change relatively dramatically depending on those endings. To compound things, while two words with the same root may have similar meanings, those meanings are not identical and they would be used in different contexts. If a word is mistranslated (the wrong ending or suffix/gender is used) when it is returned to its original language, the meaning will not be the same. Therefore, translations of the Bible are only as accurate as the level to which the translator is educated, dedicated to accuracy, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
I say "and filled with the Holy Spirit" because another problem with different translations deals with the opinion of the translator. If you acquire a Hebrew and/or Greek lexicon or concordance, you will find that many of the original words could be and were translated into several different English words, depending on where they appeared in the scriptures. That is, the meaning of the original word was determined by its context. In other words, the translator had some idea of what the context was and then applied a meaning that most resembled his or her opinion of truth in that context. You may be tempted about now to say, "Well, then, the whole thing is a lost cause. How can anyone know what the real truth is?" Don't despair. Many Bibles are the work of committees who consulted amongst themselves for difficult passages. Of course, just because a concensus was reached doesn't mean it was the right concensus. Fortunately, the English words into which the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek word could be translated were related to each other. Therefore, in most cases, the choice of word has little impact on the meaning of the scripture. In a few areas, however, the words represented a broad-enough range that the impact could be significant. How can you tell the difference? Well, as mentioned before, you can use a Concordance and/or Hebrew and Greek Lexicons. These word books tell you the root and which form of the Greek or Hebrew word was used in different verses as well as the array of English words into which it has been translated in the English Bible. You can relatively easily see which words have only slight differences of meaning and which have "meaningful" differences. Not really a problem, but a Bible idiosyncracy is verse numbering. In the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts the verses were not numbered any more than they are in your letters from Mom or your favorite novel or history book. Those "amenities" were added for the benefit of "modern" students. Whereas verse numbering can be a minor pain when a verse starts in the middle of a sentence and you want to use it as a reference, it's not likely to change the meaning of anything. Unfortunately, however, it allows some people to take part of a sentence out of context and quote an "entire verse" to you as proof that they are right about something. Of course, this annoying practice can be overcome by simply reading the context of the verse quoted (a few verses before and/or after the one quoted) and discussing its real meaning. Punctuation, on the other hand, can be a problem. The original Hebrew and Greek languages contained no punctuation or capital letters. Some people don't believe it, but punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence. The most notable proof of this is
This verse is used to assert that when we die we go to heaven immediately to be with Christ in Paradise. However, if you move one comma, it means something completely different: "Assuredly, I say to you today, you shall be with me in paradise." Which of these statements is true is another study. [See "Where Do We Go When We Die?] Fortunately, the various problems inherent in translations of the Bible can be overcome. Rather than sticking to one version, checking the same verses in several different Bible versions at the same time can be very enlightening. If you look up the same verse in 2 or 3 different versions (the more the merrier, but only if you have the time), the way I do, you can immediately see whether there's a translation problem. If there is a difference of opinion, you must choose the one that can be verified elsewhere in scripture.
If neither version can be verified elsewhere in scripture, it's generally a good idea to choose the version that brings you closest to God. If one version places a barrier between you and your ability to worship God as the plain statements of scripture portray him, it may be a mistranslation. Of course, if there is no difference in multiple translations and the verse still places a barrier between you and God, you'll need to adjust your vision of yourself, the world as you know it, and the world as God intended it to be. Concentration on the big picture [see "Why Are We Here?"] will enable you to better understand the seemingly weird ways God has interacted with his people and the sometimes terrible things he has allowed to happen to them. The fact is, though, as implied in the verse from Isaiah above, that the Bible, itself, can help us determine which passages may have been translated according to the opinions of the translators rather than the influence of the Holy Spirit. How the Bible Interprets Itself What does the Bible have to say that could help us determine which version "got it right" when there's a diference of opinion? First
Obviously, what the Lord has said concerning himself in the past, he will not contradict in the future. When he gives his word, he doesn't change it. When he sets up a covenant, he sticks with it. When he gives a prophecy through one of the prophets, the prophecy will come to pass. God's character does not change; what was important to him in Genesis is still important to him today. What he hated in Genesis, he hates today. What he wanted from Adam and Eve he wants from us today. The chance for misinterpretation comes in how this statement is applied to God's dealings with mankind. How God dealt with mankind in Genesis may be different from the way he deals with us today. Why? Because we have progressed in the plan of salvation, and God treats different people differently according to their different opportunities to know him. He destroyed those who were "only evil continually" in the days of Noah in the great flood.
However, in times of ignorance when those who didn't know any better thought they could shape God as graven images, he winked at the misunderstandings of mankind.
While God winked at misunderstandings in the past, he is spreading the Gospel to the world now in rapid order because when he judges the world, he doesn't want any human with the capacity to understand who is alive at his coming to be able to stand up and say, "I didn't know". [See "What difference does it make?"] We will be treated differently because we are living in the time of the end.
Does Daniel 12:4 seem familiar to you? It sure does to me! Are we all running to and fro and is knowledge increasing? Are the opportunities of the entire world to learn about God and Jesus and the deceptions of Satan increasing? You wouldn't be here, on the Internet, seeing this web site, if this weren't so! We are indeed living in the time of the end, both as described by Daniel, above, and by Jesus, here:
We've been given all the information we need to "endure to the end". I'm telling you, our excuses before the Lord at the judgment will be VERY limited! On the other hand, the good news is God's will.
If everyone allowed God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, no one would have to "perish". But that also is another study! [See Who or What Is God?]
Second
This reinforces the concept that God does not change and it gives us a standard by which to judge all pronouncements of mankind that he says are from God. God has known from eternity past what is required for all to live in peace and harmony, to experience the greatest joy. Then he placed people on earth to demonstrate the truths of Godly living. He allowed Satan to infect this world as a demonstration of the outworking of not abiding by those truths. Finally he instructed his Servants to write down the requirements that mankind is so quick to forget so that all generations would have a roadmap out of the morass in which Satan had entrapped them. The scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
While God and the requirements have not changed, society and languages have changed and therefore so has our understanding of the writings of God's people. In order to restore understanding, Bible study must be methodical. You need to gather EVERY scripture dealing with a given topic and study them together in their proper contexts and as a whole to determine what the scriptures probably meant to the generations in which they were written. Like witnessing an auto accident, if we all look at one or two scriptures from our own perspectives, we all see something slightly different from what is seen by the others and we get different impressions of what we see. However, if we're all looking down the same line of cars at the accident (or the same line of scriptures to the ones in question), chances are greater that we'll all have similar impressions of what we see. If there is a large amount of evidence for a doctrine, and a small amount of evidence that appears to contradict that, it would be safe to stick with the greatest amount of evidence. To base your beliefs on one verse or passage in the face of ten verses or passages that clearly state otherwise is to invite disaster. Twisting the Scriptures
Peter complained that people who were untaught and unstable twist scripture to their own destruction. Obviously we don't want to do that! Which is why Isaiah wrote
Keeping the evidence for the opposition in the back of an open mind is a good thing, writing it in your notes along with the evidences against it is an excellent idea, but basing your beliefs on the revealed truth of scripture is the goal you need to set for yourself. Prayer for the leading of the Holy Spirit in every circumstance is essential to understanding. Don't allow yourself to become so bound up in apparent inconsistencies within the Scriptures that you lose your love and respect for the wisdom of the supreme being whose plan of salvation your sinful human mind doesn't quite grasp. The truths Jesus taught came right out of the Old Testament! He taught nothing that contradicted the Old Testament scriptures. If you think something Jesus taught goes against the Old Testament teachings, there are three possibilities:
We must accept that, not being God, it is likely that some of the things of God are beyond our grasp at this point in our sinful human lives. However, if Jesus was whom he said he was, his teachings must be in line with Old Testament teachings. The New Testament explains how the Old Testament applies to the new order of things that began with the resurrection of Christ. The precepts of the Old Testament pointed toward the Coming Messiah and the New Testament gives instruction on how to be ready for the Second Coming of the Messiah. The New Testament also instructs us how to survive the trials and avoid the deceptions that Daniel and Jesus said WILL come in the meantime.
Isn't the Old Testament Just History? Yes and no. It is the history of how God has attempted to love and guide an ungrateful, rebellious race--humanity but specifically the family of Israel. However, it is also prophecy and the only basis on which Christianity can be founded. Either Jesus is the Jewish Messiah or he isn't. The only way to be sure is to study Messianic Prophecies, all of which are located in the Old Testament. And then there is unfulfilled prophecy. The basis for understanding the possible ways prophecy may be fulfilled in the future is located in the Old Testament.
Can't I Just Choose the Religious Teachings That Sound Right to Me? Again, Yes and No. I have often heard or read things and immediately said, "Yes! That's it! I understand and I want to do this!" I have had "That can't possibly be right!" moments as well. The trouble is, at that "Ahah!" moment, I knew that what I was hearing was in sync with my own spirit (or not), but I didn't know whether my spirit was in sync with God's spirit. Basic Bible study can help us spot what is God's will and what isn't, what comes from God and what doesn't. We don't have to guess in most cases--though in this age of deception, we may have to study harder. He's been pretty "up-front" about what he desires for us and from us, so if we continue with our studies, we should be able to figure it out. Here's an example: It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if something leads you to respect and love the Lord more, it is of the Lord. If it leads you to mistrust the Lord and downplay the importance of your relationship with him or urges you to put your trust in any man other than the Lord, it is not of the Lord. We're talking about Bible versions and translations as well as the traditions, teachings, and preaching of men. God made this clear statement about himself:
I supplied the emphasis, but God spoke these words about himselfand the way the people who love him are supposed to relate to him in front of the congregation of the Israelites in the desert. Then he wrote the words on tables of stone he had prepared himself, which Moses threw down and broke because the people had turned to idols while he was away on the Mountain with God, even after they had heard God speak these words. Then God again wrote the words on two tables of stone that he had Moses prepare, and those tables of stone were placed in the Ark of the Covenant. If these words were unimportant for posterity, God wouldn't have gone through all that trouble. The laws and how they apply--or don't--to our lives today is another study. This is just an example of how the Bible explains to you how you should relate to God. If anyone tells you differently, here's what the Bible has to say about them:
I was amazed when I read that one along with a few others, but that's another study as well.
How Am I Supposed to Interpret All Those Symbols? Ahh, yes. The symbols. Did you know that if you start your studies in the Old Testament prophecies, by the time you get to the New Testament prophecies you can see enough similarities to figure most of them out? It's pretty amazing, actually. We'll go over this in the studies on Daniel and Revelation, but I'm going to list symbols and their supporting scriptures on a separate page as well.
The bottom line: If you want to understand the Bible, you need to let it interpret itself as much as possible by studying all the scriptures that have to do with each subject you're interested in. It's such a large book (collection) that it's a good thing to use tools that can point you to not only the verses that contain a specific term, but to the verses that deal with the specific concept even if they don't contain a related term. A concordance can explain how the ancient languages were translated and what certain words mean. If you have an "Exhaustive Concordance, it will tell you where those words are located in Scripture. You can also use a topical references to find most of the Bible verses that deal with a specific topic. An excellent resource today is Bible software. There are several very cheap CD's out there that give you multiple Bible versions, concordances, dictionaries, and other references to help you. I have "D) All the above". There's the Bible in 26 versions and two 4-version "parallel" Bibles, plus a Hebrew-Greek Interlinear and an Aramaic New Testament. I also have various reference books including Strong's and Young's Concordances, a couple of Bible dictionaries, and several Commentaries. My Open Bible has a "cyclopedic index", and I have several "study bibles" and Naves Topical Bible. I rarely use these books, however, because my 3 different Bible Software CD's give me a large array of tools. Many people don't have that kind of access to tools, so I'll use my tools for my online studies so you can benefit from them as well. The point of Bible Study is to gain an understanding of the God of the Israelites and the Christians. |
Related Links Written in the HeartThe Truth About Mary Magdalene
Scriptures: Within Text: name chap:verse-s More Study: name
chap:verse-s |
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Copyright 2005
Lynda Karr
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