It is often asserted by devout people that they can know the Bible completely without helps. They preface their interpretations with a remark like this: "Dear friends, I have read no man's book. I have consulted no man-made commentaries. I have gone right to the Bible to see what it had to say for itself." This sounds very spiritual, and usually is seconded with amens from the audience.But is this the pathway of wisdom? Does any man have either the right or the learning to by-pass all the godly learning of the church? We think not. What do you think?
Is it possible to have an understanding of the Bible without other teachers? How did we learn to read the Bible? How did we come to know the meaning of words that are in the Bible?
Every Christian should spend a lot of time reading the Scriptures. How you understand the Scripture is reading regularly
There is a struggle for a deeper understanding of God's Word in those of us who earnestly want to live as Christians. We have a desire to be rich in knowledge of the whole armor of God. We desire to know God, and He has revealed Himself in His Word. So we must know His Word. This is what matters, to grasp and learn the Word in all its significance and actuality.
In order for this to be achieved we need tools which will help us gain a deeper knowledge of the Word. These tools give us greater ability to know God and His Word. We appreciate teachers who can open our minds to the Old and New Testament for us, especially from the view point of the original text.
It is true however, our belief remains absolute and certain: the Holy Spirit is the only true interpreter of the Word of God.. Nevertheless, the appeal for the Holy Spirit does not exclude earnest and energetic study.
If we didn’t have Martin Luther’s works we would not have this comment: In 1524 Luther wrote this concerning the value of the Greek language:
- "In the measure that we love the Gospel, so let us place a strong emphasis on the languages. For it was not without reason that God wrote the Scriptures in two languages, the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. That language which God did not despise but rather chose above all others for His Word is the language which we also should honor above all else. It is a sin and shame that we do not learn this language of our Book, especially since God has now provided us people and books, and gives us all kinds of things which both help us with this task and at the same time stimulates us to do this."
I believe that every word in the original language was there for a purpose. I believe each word had meaning. Just think -- the New Testament was written 2000 years ago and was written to be read until the end of time, for all people in all places. I believe we need to take in the grammatical side of the text that we are investigating. What may seem to be unimportant at first "but" or "for" "nevertheless" could hold the key to the understanding of the text before us.
We could just read the verse and come up with what we believe it is saying in general. We have a general sense of what John 3 :16 says. "For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
When one reads this verse there is a general sense and then there is as richer meaning . There are several interpretations of this verse. It could mean "whosoever believes in Jesus" could have eternal life. It could mean that God loves the whole world and that Jesus died for the whole world.
Drafted By Charles E. Whisnant and Proof Read By Charity Whisnant
I wrote this whole article as one paper, but have divided the article in five parts.
I am glad I am not President Bush. His every comment is challenged. And on TV.
My thoughts are my own. After reading other thoughts, on other blogs, or articles, I form some ideas on the subject. Subject to change after reading MacArthur.
