Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    
    MANUSCRIPT STUDIES by Intervarsity Press
    
    I was introduced to this just this week.  I found it to be very
    interesting. If I remember right, each script is a book of the Bible. 
    It is typed with no paragraphs.  Then you mark up the pages by circling
    or underlining repeat words, phrases, contrasting words, where you
    think paragraphs should go, etc...
    
    This method although I've only done it once during this week's Bible
    Study was interesting.  You really started seeing some distinct themes
    that you might otherwise miss in a cursory reading of the passage.
    
    Intervarsity is mostly involved on the college campus level.  I'm not
    sure how to get ahold of them, but I could find out if someone wants.
    Bookstores might be able to order them if they don't carry them.
    
    Jill
    
    

    
    INDUCTIVE STUDY
    
    I was in Zondervan's Family Bookstore last night with my boyfriend
    looking for a study Bible and came across I study Bible that I thought
    I would love, so I bought it.  It's the International Inductive Study
    Bible, NASB.
    
    This is an interactive Bible which like the Manuscript Study can be
    marked up with symbols and comments to add another dimension to
    learning.  Many people are visual learners, myself included.  The use
    of color and/or symbols to mark important words and themes will enhance
    your study.  For example you might use a red cross over the name of
    Christ.  You would then use this throughout the entire Bible.
    
    At the beginning of each book there are any number of assignments that
    help the studier:
    
      - consider the verse around it (the setting or context) 
      - view the setting within the framework or message of the entire 
        book and in light of the author's purpose for writing the book. 
      - Look for how that verse or passage relates to the entire Word 
        of God. Scripture will never contradict scripture if you allow 
        context to rule over all interpretation.
    
    Each book ends with charts that allow the studier to write the themes
    for each chapter.  Some chapters also have additional space based
    specifically on the themes in that book of the Bible.  Throughout the
    Bible it is packed with timely maps, timelines, insights that
    references help sections, and charts to be filled in on lessons on: The
    life of Moses; Teachings about Babylon; Teachings about The Day of the
    Lord, The Day of Wrath, and The Day of God; The Arrest, Trial, and
    Crucifixion of Jesus Christ; The Account of Jesus' Resurrection.  All
    charts (historical, topical), illustrations, and color maps are
    indexed.
    
    I might use a combinations of techniques from this and the manuscript
    studies to personalize to my own learning style.
    
    Jill
    

    Serious question ... why does one "study" the Bible?  
    
    Bubba

    Why does one study anything?

<       <<< Note 586.4 by SDSVAX::SWEENEY "Patrick Sweeney in New York" >>>
<
<    Why does one study anything?

   Question of the ages.  The logical answer is to attain greater
   understanding.  I believe studying the Bible is an experience for
   the mind and soul greater in some respects than Shakespeare or Homer.
   Studying makes the underlying messages available.

   Allison

    I was thinking about Jerry's question of why one studies the Bible and
    I must admit that I have the same question.  I've studied
    semi-conductor theory, but I haven't studied a *text* on semi-conductor
    theory.  I was thinking that if I studied a particular text I would
    have a greater understanding of how a text book is constructed, but not
    necessarily a greater understanding of the topic of the text.  In light
    of Jerry's question I'm wondering if a study of the Bible would give
    the student a greater insight into God, or just a lesson in the
    construct of the biblical text.
    
    In other words, does studing the words in the Bible lead to insight into
    the Word of the Bible?
    
    An honest question...
    
    		Myers

    It may be an honest question, but .6 is a sophist answer.

    The analogous answer is that Christian Perspective is not a conference
    discussing the Christian Perspective, but a conference discussing how
    people discuss the Christian Perspective.
    
    The motivation for studying the Bible is either based upon faith (ie
    that it is the word of God) or curiosity (ie that this book is what
    billions believe to be the word of God through the centuries).
    
    The consequnce of studying the Bible might be the conversion experience
    that Dave Dawson speaks so much of, or it might bore one to sleep.

>The consequence of studying the Bible might be the conversion experience
>that Dave Dawson speaks so much of, or it might bore one to sleep.

In the following, my favorite modern day Boston Christian speaks of his
original motivation for studying the Bible and his conversion experience:

   I became a believing Christian when I was in college, and it happened
   in a night, actually in little more than an hour.  I was studying for
   a quiz in a course on the New Testament.  I took the course in the first
   place to be able to refute the claims of Christianity.  The point of the
   quiz was to see if we had mastered certain information on the eighth
   chapter of St. Mark's gospel.  When I sat down to study for that quiz
   at 8 p.m. at my library carrel, I conceived that it was possible for a
   reasonable person to believe in God, although I did not think that I did.

   When I arose at 10 p.m., I was shaking, because I had passed from
   information to an encounter with the living Christ, whose words reached 
   to the depths of my soul -- "He who would save his life will lose it, and
   he who loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.  For what
   does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  For
   what can a man give in return for his life?"  (Mark 8:34-38) 

   Friends, that is only one story of grace in one human life. 
   Little did I ever imagine, 25 years ago, that I would be sharing Jesus
   Christ with you here and now.  [Thank heavens, God only shows us such
   things gradually, not all at once!]  But what matters is that you are
   here, no doubt for many human reasons, and we are celebrating the one
   living Christ.  It is my happy commission to welcome you in His Name, and
   I invite you to do exactly what St. Peter did.  Actually, I'm making an
   "Altar Call."  In this Church, we do this so often we hardly notice it,
   because at the Advent, we have Mass every day!  But this day it's very
   special. 

   Come to the Altar.  Make your Communion.  Do it, not just to take a
   little bread and wine in fellowship, but to receive the living Body and
   Blood of the risen Lord.  Ask God to help you discern the mystery.  And
   then you can say right along with Peter and the first witnesses, "We ate
   and drank with him after he rose from the dead."  Alleluia.  Christ is
   risen!  The Lord is risen indeed!  Alleluia.

Praise God for the grace he sends forth upon those who honestly seek God in
their study of the Bible.  And even on those who begin their study for other
reasons!

Let these words have the same effect on you as they had on Fr. Mead, have
had on me, and can have on billions of other Christians.  Let these words
reach to the depth of your soul:

   "He who would save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for
    my sake and the gospel's will save it.  For what does it profit a man,
    to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  For what can a man give
    in return for his life?"  (Mark 8:34-38) 

    
    		I find the Bible expands what I feel Christ has done
    internally.  
    
    		I once taught a class on how to teach the Bible to a group
    of sunday school teachers.  One thing I used to always hit hard on was
    to read the verses "in context".  Sometimes it necessary to back up
    several verses or chapters and sometimes even books to fully understand
    what God is trying to show you.
    
    		I have also found that there are temporal blessings in the
    Bible that can sometimes confuse the student.  The only way to relate
    this is to read a verse and understand it to the best of your ability.
    Then put it down for a period of time and then come back to it and read
    it again.  Many times the "meaning" will be slightly different as God
    apply's these verses to your heart.
    
    		John McAuthur recommends that you read a "small" book all
    the way thru in one sitting...and do that same book that same way every
    day for 30 days.  I've done this and the last two weeks of read brings
    out some amazing things.
    
    
    Dave

    Eric, my answer to your question would be to suggest that an
    alternative to your analogy of semi-conductor theory.  Semi-conductor
    theory is a hard science, and *how* it is expressed is not germane to
    what is expressed.  But to help me understand the rich and complex
    textures of, for example, a great work of literature, the library is
    full of secondary texts.  In fact, when I finished reading
    Dostoyevski's "The Brothers Karamazov" a year and a half ago, I went to
    the library and read some works *about* the novel, just to help me gain
    some additional insight.  I think that the rich and complex textures
    and nuances of the Bible can be brought to light with the help of
    scholarship, commentary, and historical background.

    -- Mike

    Pat,

    While my arguments may be faulty, I object to the characterization of
    sophistry which, above and beyond implying fault, implies that I was
    misleading.  What's the problem with saying "I understand what your
    saying, but I think you may have misunderstood what people mean by
    'Bible study'".  

    Speaking generally now:
    Look, if I say that I'm asking an honest question I mean it.  If I say
    I'm being sarcastic I mean it.  If I say I'm a little testy, or
    confused or frustrated I mean it.  For what it's worth, the high handed
    way that some people reply to ill worded, or even ignorant, questions
    does nothing but turn me off to the notion of a traditional Christian
    Perspective.


    Mike,

    I was more curious about the Bible study technique that would eschew
    the use of commentaries and other theological writings and focused on
    the Bible as being self-interpretive.  But I am speaking only from my
    limited exposure to "Bible studies",  which was not a real positive
    emotional or intellectual experience.
    
    
                          -- Eric

    
    Why does one "study" the Bible?  
    
    Well Bubba, here's how I would explain it.  When one of your children
    comes in your room in the middle of the night because they need you and
    they say "Daddy" or whatever...you recognize their voice because you
    have a relationship with them because you interact with them on a
    daily basis.  You see their character and their behavior.  You know
    what makes them happy, sad, and angry.  In a sense by spending time
    with them you study your children so that you know how to respond to
    them.
    
    Or another example would be a best friend.  Best friends talk alot.
    They become in tune with one another.  Knowing the others thoughts
    and desires.   But to get to this point it takes some effort.  Good
    friendship are built.
    
    This is why I study the Bible.  It's God's description of who He is.
    I want to know His voice.   How can you know His will without knowing
    His voice?  I want to know the One who saved me and gave His life.  To
    be so close to Him that all my life becomes a testimony of my Savior's
    grace and love.  So that I can stand before the Father one day and here
    Him say "Well Done."  I have alot of studying to do.
    
    Jill
    
    P.S.  I should give credit where credit is due.  A couple of lines
    in the last paragraph are borrow from one of my favorite songs called
    "Heart's Cry" by Stephen Curtis Chapman.   

    Note 587 is dedicated to the question "Why study the Bible?"
    
    Richard
    

    
    Mike brought up the technique of using secondary material, such
    as commentaries, other writings, even study Bibles could be
    included in this.   While I do sometimes use reference material
    to check where towns were or getting a description of something
    used in ancient times, I do not like to rely too heavily on
    secondary material for interpretation.
    
    How I do think it might be very interesting to do some historical
    studying of the time period that the Bible was written in.  I have
    been reading a book by a scholar, studier, and interpreter of the
    documents making up the Bible.  This is a man that has studied
    some of the Dead Sea scrolls.  His name escapes me now, something
    like Carsten Thiene.  But anyway, he brings up alot of historical
    evidence that surrounds biblical times and I found it extremely
    interesting.
    
    Jill

For being a former Methodist, I find it somewhat ironic that my own Bible
study is less than methodical:

I almost invariably pray that the Holy Spirit will guide my understanding.

I'm more inclined to read the New Testament over the Old Testament.

I frequently read a Commentary in parallel to Scripture.

I frequently check the wording of other versions.

I read other books which provide context (historical, cultural, etc.) to
the various writings of the Bible.

Peace,
Richard

    
    Excellent Richard.  Do you have any recommendations for books
    giving historical and cultural context?  
    
    Jill

Er...forgive my mental blank here, Jill. (.16)

I particularly enjoyed a book called "The Book About the Book."  I do not
recall its author.

There's another which was written by an Episcopal priest which contributed
much to my overall understanding of the Bible.  I don't recall his name, nor
the name of the book.

There's usually a large section of public libraries devoted to expanding
one's understanding of the Bible.  One's church might also have a lending
library, though it's been my experience that most of these are sorely lacking.

Peace,
Richard

Two more books:

"Understanding the Old Testament," McKee (and other contributing authors)

"Understanding the New Testament," McKee (and other contributing authors)

Peace,
Richard

    
    Thanks, I'll try to get ahold of some.
    
    Jill

    I too have questions on "why study the bible"? 
    
    I think that the term "study" is used to recognize that you can't just
    pick up the Bible and start reading it....rather, you need good
    reference material to help explain the history and general layout
    of the bible. Then, when you start reading the bible, with the study
    guides , the meaning and purpose of the bible comes out.
    
    I like the book "Introduction to the Bible". Good replies, minus
    the usual, predicted C-P putdown.
    
    Marc H.

    
    Marc,
    
    I agree.  I believe simply reading the bible is a way of studying
    it.  I think reading a passage several times can bring alot out.
    I also think that memorizing scripture can be very helpful.  But
    we all have different learning styles and it does not hurt to 
    apply the knowledge of how we learn personally to study the Word
    of God.   Actually, I believe that it's good to use many methods
    from meditating on a passage to doing a detailed analysis of the
    text.  Both are profitable for learning.  
    
    Jill

	I found the very best way to take in God's Word is to pray over the
verses. Take a single verse or two and word by word send it back to God
via prayer. Try this with Galatians 2:20 sometime soon.

	
Ace

A very important verse to pray over, Ace.