Summary
Reading the bible and getting meaning out of the passages is most probably one of the most complicated things for Christians. The bible has been mentioned as one of the most inspiring books and the most read. However, despite all the worth that is attached to the bible, many people still finds it hard to not only read it but also get the most out of it. In the article How to read the bible for all its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, they highlight some of the strategies that can be followed by a Christian to read the bible. Some of the ways explored include getting the textual background of the passage as well as the symbols used. One can only understand the bible if they relate to the events that were happening at the time of its writing and why the author made such remarks. It is also important to read the scripture and consider how it applies to ones day to day life. In this paper, we take a critical look at the article as we analyse its implications.
Analysis of the article
One of the other suggestions that have been raised by the authors is the importance of understanding the symbols used. The bible has gone through various translations that have made it loose its original meaning. This was due to the fact that the original manuscript was written in Hebrew and Greek. These are languages least spoken by most of the bible readers and hence prompting the need for such translations. The most accurate English version also has its weaknesses in that it uses a language that most bible readers cannot associate with. Most of the people who care to know how the original version looked like and the significance of the symbols used are theologians and bible scholars. However, for the average bible readers who are mainly seeking inspiration, they only want to derive a specific meaning. It is hence not practical to advocate the fact that for a person to effectively read the bible and derive its meaning, they have to get the original symbols. This will imply that the bible should only be read by specific people and not the general body of Christ.
The point I found practical in the article is in understanding the bible by reading through its context. All the scriptures in the bible have a connection that can be derived from reading an entire passage, chapter or even book. This is most probably the best way of understanding the perspective through which the bible was written. It can be quite difficult to find meaning in the bible if a person only read one verse. Even though most preachers derive a whole summon from just a single verse, it can be misleading to the audience if they do not understand why, when and how the verse was presented. This therefore implies that for one to derive meaning from reading the bible, such a practice should be a lifestyle rather than just an event or moment. A person who makes reading of the bible a habit will definitely notice and note some of the passages that are similar and hence comparing them it terms of context.
One of the perspectives I found interesting in the article applies to approaching each passage of scripture from a different perspective. This hence implies that every book and passage in the bible is unique and should never be approached in a similar way. For instance, there are passages where for one to derive a worth meaning, then they have to understand the plot and its historical context. There are also some passages that require one to read between the lines to derive its meaning yet there are those that are very direct. Understanding how the passage was written and taking it accordingly is important. For instance, when reading the book of proverbs, one need to understand that they are proverbs and hence analysing its deeper meaning. When it comes to the psalms, the reader needs to read them as poems and also seeking to interpret them to find more meanings. This is different from reading books such as the gospels and the prophetic books.
There is a reason why the books of the bible are arranged from genesis to Leviticus. This is simply because they reflect on the period through which the passages were written as well as the series in which the events were happening. It is hence important for a serious reader of the bible to read them in such order just to help them understand the states through which word came to being. Reading the bible from genesis to revelation in that order is also necessary in helping a person clear doubt on some of the scriptures they encounter. This formula of reading the bible also helps a Christian to understand the history of the characters as well as the significance of the promises that God made to his children. Evaluating such historical events is important as they also help the believer to relate to the stories and determine the characters that bets describe him. For those in various ministries, reading the bible this way will help them serve with diligence and perseverance.
Another interesting aspect o reading the bible lies in analysing specific characters and especially those that one can relate to. For instance, if one is feeling weak, down or disadvantaged, then he or she can relate to the character of Gideon. Realising that they are in the same position and feeling the same way that Gideon was will help them rise up to greatness. To be able to get deliverance from such a situation, a person will want to read more about Gideon and how God helped him up into greatness. This will help the individual to look at themselves differently realising that God has called them for greatness and that they are the persons needed to facilitate deliverance for the people. This also applies to other great characters in the bible such as Esther, Deborah, David, Saul and even Moses.
Every Christian believer understands the fact that the bible was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit who enabled the authors to write the bible. This hence implies that the spirit who gave such words to the author only understand why and how. It will hence be necessary for any Christian to seek divine help and wisdom in reading and understanding the bible. Reading the people analytically without realising how complex some scriptures are will only mislead a person. Most of the people who rely on earthly wisdom to read the bible have come up with the conclusion that the bible either contradict itself or was not even inspired by God. A true believer will therefore understand the spiritual implication of the book and read it with faith seeking divine guidance.
There is always a connection between the intentions of the reader and what they want to derive from reading the bible with what they ultimately get. This hence implies that a person that reads it with the intention of critiquing it, he or she will get a lot to critic. On the other hand, a person that reads the bible for the sole reason of getting inspiration, he or she will get a lot from the bible that will inspire them. Realising that the bible was mainly written to inspire and help Christian believers in their day to day walk of faith, the reader needs to have his or her intentions right or they get nothing from it. In reading the bible, each believer should desire to open through the pages by themselves rather than relying on third parties such as preachers or other devotional book to interpret for them. In as much as such third parties are important, references should always be made to the bible and clarifications sought to minimize on any form of deception and misinterpretation.
Conclusion
Gordon and Douglas have highlighted some of the important principles that need to be adopted as one aspires to find worth in their regular study of the bible. I found the principles enlightening to both theologians and even normal Christians. The principles mentioned does not however apply to every person that reads the bible but specifically to the serious Christians who really desire to establish a permanent and meaning relationship with biblical scriptures. At times, it is the complex procedures involved in analysing the bible that make most people and even Christians shun from reading the bible. Within the assumption that the bible is a complex literature, having tough guidelines’ in interpreting it such as finding its original context will completely discourage readers from its study. The basic principle however remains the fact that the bible was designed to guide Christians in their spiritual walk. Therefore, every person that reads it with such intentions will definitely find worth in it. On the contrary, a person who reads just for the sake of it will not derive any benefit from it. It will hence remain an old complex book to them.
Bibliography
Fee, D. Gordon and Douglas, K. Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. New York: Zondervan, 2003.
