Sunday Study: How to Study the Bible

I was planning to continue Sunday Study with examining TULIP and my personal struggle to submit to what scripture teaches regarding U and L, but, considering the comments on the last couple of posts, I think a discussion of sound Bible study methods may be helpful.

I want to share a couple of books that have been instrumental in my understanding of how to study the Bible:

1) Knowing Scripture by R.C Sproul

2) How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart

3) Living by the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible by Howard Hendricks & William Hendricks

4) How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler (even though it’s not about reading the Bible)

5) An Old Testament Theology by Bruce Waltke (Part I of which focuses on understanding and interpreting the Old Testament)

Also, I have learned so much about Bible study through several Precept Bible studies which utilize and teach the inductive method.

I readily admit that my experience with those few books and Precept Bible studies, as good as they are, do not qualify me to be an expert in Biblical exegesis, interpretation, and application.

When I was growing up, my family belonged to a country club.  Almost every day of every summer, you could find my little brother and me at the swimming pools.  The club offered a pool for babies and a larger pool for those who had completed lessons and passed a swimming test.  When it comes to studying the Bible, as a science, I’m splashing around in the laymen’s pool.  No matter how badly I want to jump into the deep end and hang out with the big kids, I’d drown.  So, I’m not even going to pretend to know all there is to know about this subject.

That said, there are a few tools (my swim wings, if you will) that I use to keep me afloat and protect my soul from error.

1) Context

“Context is king.”  I wish I could remember who first said that and give them credit, but I have long forgotten where I heard or read that phrase.  Whoever said it, they were right.  Some verses can stand alone and retain their original meaning and intent; John 3:16 comes immediately to mind.  Other verses, however, have to be read and understood in their context.  Without context, scripture can be made to say almost anything.  It is a good idea to read an entire book in one sitting, or consider it as a whole rather than separate parts if it’s really long.

2) Let scripture interpret scripture

When I don’t understand what a verse or passage means, I try to find the other places in the Bible where that topic is mentioned to see if it offers more clarity or explanation.  The scriptures do not contradict themselves.  For example, if there are two interpretations of a verse and one of those interpretations contradicts Scripture, then the one that is in harmony with Scripture is the one I will rely on.

3) Know the genre.

The Bible is made up of 66 books.  Within the canon, there are letters, parables, metaphors, books of prophecy, books of poetry, books that are primarily history, books of law; and each one needs to be considered, read, and interpreted according to its particular genre.  For example, a letter has an author, a date, and a recipient; all of which need to be considered when interpreting it.

4) Interpret it literally.

The Bible is a book.  Though it is different from other books in that is inspired by God and inerrant, it is a book nonetheless, and must be read like a book.  Keeping in mind the context and genre, it is good to let the words mean what they mean.  Words can have multiple meanings, and multiple meanings over spans of time.  If I’m using word study tools, I choose the definition that fits the context.  It is not good to make the text say something it does not say just because of a root, synonym, or variation of a word based on its usage at some point in history.  Also, it is also important to pay attention to grammar and structure: who is doing what, when, to whom, and how.

5) Approach the Bible with humility and in prayer.

The Bible is about spiritual things and is spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).  Many people can read the Bible and not understand it because they do not have the Holy Spirit as a teacher.  It is good to go to scripture in prayer, with a teachable spirit, and without an agenda.

Those are just the first five things that come to mind when I consider what constitutes sound Bible study.  I know there is so much more involved, particularly at the academic level, but I’ll leave that to seminarians and professors.

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