| Author | Message | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 744 Registered: 11-2007 |
If we are reading the Bible and have questions, how do we get the answers? How does everyone here work through a verse or topic? It was so easy when I was an adventist. We had the Bible Commentaries and a gob of other church books. Probably a lot easier now with the clear word and everything avaliable online. Surfy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12670 Registered: 12-2003  |
You know, Surfy, the way I have done it is two-fold. First I would ask God to direct me to what He knew I needed to read and to teach me truth. Then I would read in context...a whole chapter at a time. The next step was simply to begin following the marginal references. They give texts where the words or phrases are used in other places, and I began to see how the same ideas were written about both in the same testament as well as the other one. I have actually gained a great deal of insight from using a Bible dictionary for certain words that seemed vague and also from following the marginal references to other places where the Bible teaches the same thing. It really does begin to reveal itself... I have found a good Bible dictionary to be invaluable...not only do they give definitions, but they often give pretty comprehensive summaries of the word in question as used throughout Scripture, complete with citations so I can look up the words and passages. I also have learned a lot from the study notes in the NIV and NASB Study Bibles—they have the same notes...non-denominational, non-dogmatic, simply giving Bible-dictionary-type background info and, in cases where meanings are disputed, listing the major views within evangelical Christianity. Asking God to show me what is real and true has been a big part of it all; He often brought books or even sermons to my attention just as I had been studying certain passages. It's been amazing how He confirms ideas from two or three sources, unexpectedly, sometimes. Colleen | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 1067 Registered: 7-2004  |
Colleen, I think that your first two steps are the most valuable, particularly in jettisoning the SDA mindset towards Bible Study. Although there are really good study Bibles available, I fear they can reinforce the "here's the answer" habit that interferes with SDAs understanding how to study Scripture. There is a benefit found in reading Scripture that isn't available in any other source. | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 302 Registered: 5-2009 |
I also ask God to teach me His truth by His Spirit from His Word. I heard a teaching that said there are 3 parts to our devotional life: Prayer, Bible study, & just READing the whole bible. The first 2 many people do; the last one is the most neglected: 98% of people in the pews have never read the bible, & 90% of clergy have never read it through. True for me anyway. I have a journal where I have written down some questions, & then just read the bible. I never mark, underline, highlight in my 'just reading" bible - I write in my journal. I push myself to read more rapidly through it. Comprehension is actually better this way. I also look things up in the concordance & bible dictionary & sometimes read study notes. The Holy Spirit inspired the bible, & gives understanding; 1 Cor 2:14 says spiritual things are spiritually discerned: 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. My ID scripture was a gift to me from God the first time I read through the whole bible: 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. I find that the scriptures are opening up & the Holy Spirit is making connections for me. Over the weekend I have been reading in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & now Ezekiel. I am finding passages about 'coming out of Babylon' & 'Babylon is fallen' & thinking ha! now I should go read Revelation with this in mind to get a better idea of what Revelation is saying. This is what I have been doing for the past 5 years. My brain is being washed of the brainwashing. I chose to truly become Sola Scriptura & believe that God's Word is living & powerful, able to transform & renew. J9 | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 745 Registered: 11-2007 |
So....what part do books and publications (such as John Piper, Dale Ratzlaff, Martin Luther, and even Proclamation, etc.) play in our devotional life and our understanding of Scripture? Don't they help shape our beliefs and help with our understanding of God? Is it really possible to live by the Bible and the Bible alone? Surfy (Message edited by Surfy on June 07, 2011) | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 303 Registered: 5-2009 |
I think other books & publications can stimulate our thinking & questions. All must be taken to God's Word & square with it. We do not learn to recognize the true by studying & handling the counterfeit. But we can instantly recognize the false if we have constantly & only handled the true & real. For me, I had spent a lifetime reading & studying everything BUT the Bible. It is time for me to be immersed in the Word alone. "If I tell you that wall over there is purple, does that make it so?" There are so many voices! As SDAs we were not used to asking God & believing He alone is enough. He gives understanding. All through the Old & New Testaments there are warnings against false teachers & false teachings which rise up 'among you.' That is 'believers'. God says over & over again "I will do it" - whatever is going to be done. "Trust Me." "Listen & obey MY Word, MY voice." Jesus said repeatedly "Do not be deceived." So I ask God to not let me be deceived; to open the eyes of my heart; to give me understanding. Try it Surfy! Can we really be Sola Scriptura?! People of THE BOOK?! If all we had was the Bible, would it be enough for Truth? To find & know God? J9 | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 1942 Registered: 6-2006  |
I think there's a common distrust among SDA's (and transitioning formers) when it comes to studying the Bible. Whether it be in a (mainstream) church group, or just by themselves, there's a fear of being mislead. I guess because the SDA system is in such a bubble. There's the "just trust us" mentality as well as "you can't trust anyone but us" ideal. My husband assumes that all churches run that way. In fact, after almost 8 years of worshipping with me, he still thinks that if he studies Bible at our church that there's going to be some kind of Lutheran "spin". When I explain that it's Bible only with Bible cross references, he's afraid that he won't understand it. So what ends up happening? No study. Surfy, the BSF approaches Bible study in 4 ways. Reading it by yourself, answering study questions, discussing in a group, and hearing it through a lecture. You can modify that personally by listening to the Bible on CD as well as reading and cross-referencing (those are the scripture verses which come at the end of the chapter). On my own, I do have an NIV study Bible and appreciate the notes, but refer to them rarely. I realize I'm a never-been, but while I was raised with Bible only, I still have the same occasional struggles and questions in studying.  Leigh Anne | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 1068 Registered: 7-2004 |
Most people I meet who are recently transitioning out of SDAism need to spend more time with The Book and less with books. Don't get me wrong, I love books. There are cases and cases full of books in my house. But as SDAs we were fed so much second-hand information that it is critical to immerse ourselves in Scripture. There are many great books and great Christian authors. And there will be time to gradually add some of these into your diet. But, even then, Scripture will be the main course. And one piece of great news, it isn't necessary, or even important, to understand everything you read in Scripture. Get what you can out of the passage for now and move on. It might make more sense at a later time, or in another circumstance. It is more important to read and study than to have all of the answers. | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 304 Registered: 5-2009 |
Amen! Ric_b As an sda I had the mindset of having to Be Right: about doctrine, about interpretation, about prophecy. I don't think never-beens can comprehend this because their focus has been Jesus. It took me several times through the bible before I could let go of even subconsciously looking for confirmation of my doctrinal beliefs. I truly did not know what was the bible & what was the other voice. It is a re-training - to be in the Bible alone. I can testify that it is an exciting adventure to read & experience what God is opening to my understanding. Yesterday the call of Ezekiel spoke to me in the context of my religious background. Ezekeil 3:1-14 NLT is the passage. I will just quote verses 10-11 for this thread: 10 Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. 11 Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” J9 | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12671 Registered: 12-2003 |
I agree, Rick and J9. When we left, we committed to reading only the Bible and not using commentaries. It really DOES work...but there is one other piece of this puzzle. Because we were taught that the words of Scripture meant things different from what they really mean, there is the need also for Bible teaching. Now, if I had to have only Two Steps, they would be pray to know the truth and read the Bible in context. But I would like to be able to add sound Bible teaching into the mix because it hastens the "debriefing" and helps me see reality better. In fact, this very point is why we urge (as opposed to merely "recommend") that people leaving Adventism get themselves as quickly as possible into a solid Bible-teaching church. I cannot begin to say how MUCH we learned as we heard our pastor teach Scripture. We began to see biblically, to know that God is sovereign, that we are depraved by nature, that God is consistent, that His ways and promises are CERTAIN and not conditional upon my obedience. People who have been indoctrinated into cults tend to maintain certain cultic perceptions--at least for much longer--if they do not integrate with Bible-believing and teaching evangelical Christians. When we were studying our way out, I began to pray regularly that God would guide me to what He knew I needed to read. He would direct not only my Bible study, but many times He brought different books to my attention that I had never noticed or known of before, and frequently I read things that enhanced and confirmed what my Bible study had been unfolding to me. You really can trust God in this. You can commit to immersing yourselves in His word and just trusting Him to bring to your attention materials that He knows will help you. He will truly teach and direct you. Colleen | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 1069 Registered: 7-2004 |
Colleen, I couldn't agree more strongly, transitioning and former SDAs need a new church home with solid Bible teaching from a perspective that doesn't have any SDA roots. This is not a replacement for more in-depth Bible study, but more of a necessary anchor. Having been misled and perhaps even abused by leaders in the SDA church, it is natural that formers would be skeptical of allowing another any authority in their lives. But God provided a church structure that includes accepting authorities for a reason. We are part of the Body of Christ, not independent little people running around. Taking our place in this Body requires listening to those placed by God in roles of authority. This is a danger of the so-called movement to return to the 1st Century church by getting rid of church buildings and leaders; meeting as small autonomous groups in homes. Mature Christians with a long history of solid teaching may do fine in such an independent setting. But Believers transitioning out of a false church can be easily swayed by other false teachings because they lack the Bible study skills to evaluate the teaching well. |
