How to Read the Bible

The there are two testaments the old testament goes by many different names. Hebrew bible, OT, old covenant , ect. the book focuses on Gods work with the nation of Israel.

The OT is comprised of many covenant that were made by God and his people such as the Noah, Mosaic, and Dravidic these covenant find their fulfillment in the NT

NT starts with Gospels M M L J, followed by the acts of the apostles. from there we get what is called an epistles then later whats called apocalyptic lit

Epistles are letters that cover various teaching of Jesus and instructions for how believers should act live and but are written in letters by someone other then Jesus

Many of the epistles are written by a man named Paul who was once a persecutor of the church then became a christ follower he wrote many books written churches such as Romans, Corinthians, Thessalonians Ephesians, Galatian, Colossians and Philippians these books were written specifically to be read to the churches at the that specific time

such as the book of Thessalonians were worried about missing Christs return or what will happen to people who have died before christ comes back that is why there is so much in there surrounding the return of christ and the final things

there are other epistles written that are called “catholic” written by authors such as Peter, John, James these were circulated letters

The book concludes with a books titled revelation which was written by an apostle named john of Patmos which is not a hand book for the end of the world full of secrets to discover but rather a beautiful apocalyptic piece outlining how christ will come and restore all things to him self

How the bible came to be

the bible didn't just fall out of the sky and someone found it.

all of these books came to being and makes up what we now call the canon of scripture

The canon refers to the authoritative word of God. this means that the 66 books we have and their order matters as the process took years and many councils of bishops and church fathers gathered to develop the text we have now

there are books that were not included in the canon, that sometimes help understand the history with books such as Judith and Maccabees but there are other books that were just wild and not included.

we believe that the bible in inerrant authoritative world of God written by mans hand inspired by the spirit

How we do it.

there are hundreds of books published and articles out there for how to read the bible for all its worth. I encourage you all to read a books like How to read the bible for all its worth-fee, 7 things i wish christians knew about the bible, reading the bible better -GG I have had the privilege of studying under one of these authors and he helped create this frame work that has helped shaped my bible readings frame work

Humbly.

first and foremost when we read the bible we need to approach as humble servants who long to know more.

Humility involves reading the word with an open posture and not thinking you already know it all.

It also involves

Narratively.

one thing i often forget to do is look at a particular story in light of the whole biblical narrative.

Read narratively, as part of the Gospel story because we are a storied people

The whole of the scripture is one story about Gods redemption

we should be looking at how this particular section of book fits within the wider narrative of the whole Bible

we are people that loves stories so while reading something in depth is great remember its not just a theological text but rather stories of real brothers and sisters in the faith, and the story of our redemption!

Intertextually.

Read each book in light of the whole bible in order to understand references and echoes throughout the Bible

the bible has more cross references then any other ancient work. at is very worst it is literary genius

there are are over 250 direct quotes from the OT in the NT, and 1000 references

various texts are used prophetically in the OT find their fulfilment and even direct quoting such as the suffering servant narrative in the OT finding fulfilment in christ

Isaiah 53:1–6 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Literarily

According to its intended purpose and kind:

not every book of the bible is a inspirational text on how to live

there are so many different genres through out the bible, history, apocalyptic, informational

each book will have an intended purpose and the bible is generally divided up by these sections such as the historical books, wisdom, epistles, Apocalypse

this also means that not everything is made to be taken literally but rather beautifully crafted literature to convey a reality

Awareness of Literary Context:

This is one of the most important parts

we need to realize that not everything in the bible is about us. Preface Jeremiah 29:11, most popular bible verse in the world but also the most miss-quoted

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

lots of people take this as a means that God has a plan for prosperity and hope and that the future is always going to be awesome. For me that hasn't happened yet.

when we read this in context its so much more beautiful then God wanting to make us rich.

when we read it properly we see that the nation of Israel has turned their back on God and things are about to be lost forever. hope is fading and the people knowing they deserve it are being killed enslaved and exiled. they are loosing their homes and all they have. and after been kicked out their homes and loosing everything we see this beautiful message of hope. showing Gods faithfulness despite their rebellion

another quick example im sure some of you could guess

Philippians 4:13 ESV

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

can we really do all things

I like to think im strong but can I lift a pick up truck because im a christian ? no

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

being aware of context means were not always looking to put our self in the text but rather realize its not about us and look to what the text does to us rather then apply to us

when we read this way we realize the bible is written for us not to us

In a Good Translation

Another key part of reading the bible well involves reading in a good translation

there is a spectrum of translations some of them are word for word translations such as NASB and interlinear and then on the other end of things you have texts such as the message and passion which are more of a thought for thought translation.

John 1:1–3 NASB95

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

John 1:1–3 CSB

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

John 1:1–3 M:BCL

1 The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, 2 in readiness for God from day one. 3 Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him.

There is nothing wrong with either however we should be reading ones for study and not just message and NLT for going deep

read many different translation

Trans-historically.

Know that there are well-established facts of History: The Question of Veracity, the bible is full of historical figures and has more original manuscripts then any of the ancient authors such as plato the stoics aero combine

additionally when we read it knowing history it allows Embrace the Importance of Historical & Cultural Backdrop for Interpretation, which helps us with The Question of Context

these are real people with evidence for their lives and stories when we read we should look at it as such

Devotedly, As Stewards.

this one is very simple and i hope you are doing this one currently read it! read it often and always

God gave us his very worlds we should read it

theres a joke that goes if you wanna hear Gods voice read the bible, want to hear it out loud read the bible out loud

In Community

Lastly as we Go, we read in community. we are made to live in community. there is no such thing as long ranger christianity

read with friends, read here, or study GC o

watch videos read books make sure you are not the only one who is shaping the view

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

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