The Church –
Understanding the Bible
A common view held by many today, is that the Bible
cannot be understood. Others
express the sentiment that each person can have their own interpretation;
that there really is no one truth.
But Jesus said to His disciples, “And you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Notice that truth can be known and it is a singular
truth. In addition, Peter
said, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). The best way to solve the problem of understanding the
Bible, is described by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:15, where he said, “Study to
show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth”. If we rightly divide the word of truth, we can
understand God’s message for us.
One key to
understanding the Bible is to recognize the different time periods and
related covenants between God and man. The Bible opens with the age that is called the
Patriarchal age. Patriarchal
means father and implies that God’s relationship with His people was
conducted through the oldest male of a family. There was no organized priesthood or religious
assembly, only the spiritual leadership of the Father in the extended
family. The book of Genesis
covers approximately 2500 years and the Patriarchal age. The Mosaic age was the time of a
special covenant that God had with His people the Israelites. For those special people God
instituted religious and civil laws for their governing. These were in addition to moral
laws that were to be followed by the entire human race. The Mosaic age lasted for 1500
years and spans the rest of the Old Testament as well as the four gospels
in the New Testament.
Finally, we live in the Christian age. This age began on the day of Pentecost as recorded in
Acts chapter 2. That day was
the birthday of the church and ushered in the new Christian Age. During this age, all people are
God’s special children. His
new covenant, or New Testament, replaces all of the old covenants. While “whatever things were
written before were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4), the Old
Testament no longer has any jurisdiction over mankind.
Another key to
understanding the Bible is to recognize that it is a collection of many
books that utilize different literary styles. The Bible consists of 66 books written by 40 different
authors, as God directed them, over 1500 years. Each book had an original intended audience and a
specific purpose.
Consequently, they need to be read with a view toward their nature
and intended purpose. We
recognize this in our own secular reading as we compare a technical
manual, magazine, textbook, and collection of poems, cartoons or any other
style of written communication.
Part of the intended message is conveyed through the style of the
literature itself. The Bible
contains letters, official records of kings, works of history, poetry and
prophecies, just to name some examples. Each needs to be read understanding their literary style
and how that influences the message they were intended to convey.
A final key to
understanding the Bible is to get our own thoughts out of the way. In James 1:17-21 we read: “17
every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from
the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of
turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth,
that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.19 So then, my
beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and
receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your
souls.” In discussing the
“word of truth”, James tells us, don’t talk back, don’t get angry, get
your life out of the way and then the Word can save our souls
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