The wrestle to understand Scripture
Sadly, the Bible gives little understanding of how it should be read.
(NOTE: these following SoulSupply thoughts do not reflect on the Bible's many various and rich verses that speak of its value, beginning with 2 Timothy 3:16-17.)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Scholars and the lesser schooled have curated their own templates to understand how the Bible should be read. These 'tools' are not wrong (largely), but they are not final words or definitive definitions.
For example to assist in understanding the vagaries to this wrestle man has created:
- Exegesis takes understanding out of the Bible, rather than reading my interests into the Bible
- Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology. Biblical theology is simply theology that is based on the Scripture's teachings. The systematic theologian draws from the biblical theologian's work. Biblical theology is the foundation from which systematic theology summarizes each doctrine.
- Priests only determine how the Bible is to be interpreted ... these are 3 common templates laid across Scripture to gain understanding.
In the wrestle for understanding the Scriptures consider these:
- the best commentary on the Bible is itself. John 7:38 explains (and is to be pursued) the guidance thrown as a blanket across The Bible from Jesus ... as the Scriptures have said. On the whole, simply read the Bible as it was written. Yes, there are some difficulties to grasp, yet Jesus has given us a definitive principle, we all can use as a magnifying glass across the entire Word. And,
- invite the Holy Spirit of Truth to guide you through the Bible all your days.
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:25-26)