Post by lionofgod on Apr 10, 2021 14:12:11 GMT -6
I was sitting here reading through old postings and just generally perusing the site. When, looking down at my desk, I realized I'd had 4 bibles, a concordance, a Greek dictionary and 2 ancient writings books, stacked in piles next to my monitor for ease of use. I mention this because I rarely consider what people have available to them to use for study and to help understand God's Word. I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of both textual and online/video aids available to me all the time. So I thought that in this time, it may be a good idea to just post some helpful ways/books/activities/whatever, that help me and perhaps may help someone else to "ARM UP" with God's Word. I'm sure everyone has literature or other sources they use to help with bible study. So I'll just list some of what I do/have that helps me and if it works for you, use it, if not, ignore it. As the saying goes, "Take what you can use, leave the rest." I'd also encourage anyone reading this to list something they use. We can all use all the help we can get in these days.
This is not a thread for debate over views, just a place to get insight into how others study God's word, so you may find things that help supplement what you already do/use/know.
Meant to unify, not divide.
For me, the Word is a living thing. It changes and applies as I do. Meaning, I can read a passage one day and apply it to my life, read the identical scripture at another time, and it apply just as well then, but to a separate thing altogether.
So, the Word is both always constant and always changing in application. Because God, in His infinite wisdom, provided us with texts that have "layers". The closer you get to Him, via study and seeking, the more you understand how many things are said in just one passage. When you consider the passages there are in the book, it's really quite miraculous in that alone. The reason it is the only "book" you need for life, is that it takes few words, but grants much meaning. God always adds and multiplies.
When I study, I first pray for understanding, since without the guide of His spirit, I can only read words.
I try to remain "open" as I read, with a clear mind. Unless I am studying to help with a specific issue or question.
For me, as a kid especially, the phraseology of the bible, was hard to grasp, most terminology of that time is lost on us modern people. We have more differences than commonalities with the ancient peoples.
So, I found eventually, that our language and definitions of words, has changed in a significant way since the writing of the bible. As a result, I have found the oldest printed dictionary available to me, the 1828 Webster's dictionary, that I use specifically when I study.( you can use it online )
I found that the definitions of words were not always the same in different years and types of "modern" dictionaries. I also found out that the oldest dictionaries only had 700 or so words in the "english" language. The newer ones have sometimes over 4,000! Every year the wording gets redefined according to modern understandings and applications. So, it's helpful to be able to be more assured that the way I understand the word, is the way it was meant in the time of the writing. As a bonus, it uses the bible to help to define nearly every word in it.
For me, it also helps me to read literature and texts from other christian authors of the ancient times too. Not so much to interpret, but to get a better "feel" for the topics, problems, perception of people that lived back in that era. Sorta like how if you move from one part of the country to another part, especially in the south, you end up picking up the local mannerisms, accent etc. It is a natural part of assimilating into life at a new location. Same thing, but we are talking in time location, not place.
I also find it helpful to avail myself of the apocryphal books as well. While they may not be cannon, they were kept with the cannon for all time till the more modern bibles. They don't contradict the bible, or they would never have been kept together. They do add much color and history and additional information TO the bible.
I read the books of the apostles that didn't need to be included in the bible as well. Nearly, if not all were martyred for Christ's teachings, so I'd say they are worth reading. Plus they were chosen by Jesus, and given the Holy Spirit by him before all others.
I also like to study ancient maps. It helps me get a better idea where, how far travelled etc. as I read. It's amazing how many lands and names of places have come and gone since just the time of Christ, never the less since the beginning of this all!
Thats some of what I use/do. Hope it helps someone else to come closer to their savior.
This is not a thread for debate over views, just a place to get insight into how others study God's word, so you may find things that help supplement what you already do/use/know.
Meant to unify, not divide.
For me, the Word is a living thing. It changes and applies as I do. Meaning, I can read a passage one day and apply it to my life, read the identical scripture at another time, and it apply just as well then, but to a separate thing altogether.
So, the Word is both always constant and always changing in application. Because God, in His infinite wisdom, provided us with texts that have "layers". The closer you get to Him, via study and seeking, the more you understand how many things are said in just one passage. When you consider the passages there are in the book, it's really quite miraculous in that alone. The reason it is the only "book" you need for life, is that it takes few words, but grants much meaning. God always adds and multiplies.
When I study, I first pray for understanding, since without the guide of His spirit, I can only read words.
I try to remain "open" as I read, with a clear mind. Unless I am studying to help with a specific issue or question.
For me, as a kid especially, the phraseology of the bible, was hard to grasp, most terminology of that time is lost on us modern people. We have more differences than commonalities with the ancient peoples.
So, I found eventually, that our language and definitions of words, has changed in a significant way since the writing of the bible. As a result, I have found the oldest printed dictionary available to me, the 1828 Webster's dictionary, that I use specifically when I study.( you can use it online )
I found that the definitions of words were not always the same in different years and types of "modern" dictionaries. I also found out that the oldest dictionaries only had 700 or so words in the "english" language. The newer ones have sometimes over 4,000! Every year the wording gets redefined according to modern understandings and applications. So, it's helpful to be able to be more assured that the way I understand the word, is the way it was meant in the time of the writing. As a bonus, it uses the bible to help to define nearly every word in it.
For me, it also helps me to read literature and texts from other christian authors of the ancient times too. Not so much to interpret, but to get a better "feel" for the topics, problems, perception of people that lived back in that era. Sorta like how if you move from one part of the country to another part, especially in the south, you end up picking up the local mannerisms, accent etc. It is a natural part of assimilating into life at a new location. Same thing, but we are talking in time location, not place.
I also find it helpful to avail myself of the apocryphal books as well. While they may not be cannon, they were kept with the cannon for all time till the more modern bibles. They don't contradict the bible, or they would never have been kept together. They do add much color and history and additional information TO the bible.
I read the books of the apostles that didn't need to be included in the bible as well. Nearly, if not all were martyred for Christ's teachings, so I'd say they are worth reading. Plus they were chosen by Jesus, and given the Holy Spirit by him before all others.
I also like to study ancient maps. It helps me get a better idea where, how far travelled etc. as I read. It's amazing how many lands and names of places have come and gone since just the time of Christ, never the less since the beginning of this all!
Thats some of what I use/do. Hope it helps someone else to come closer to their savior.
