Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
I started meeting again with the Jehovah’s Witness that I had been meeting with a year or so back. I’m not thinking I’m going to convert him, but it is a way for me to learn. What I’m looking for is not to debate the fine details, such as the shape of the wood that … Read More “Conversation’s With Jehovah’s Witnesses – Interpreting the Bible” »
Whenever there is a controversial issue being discussed, very often someone will begin a statement with “The Bible clearly says” and then whatever they want to express. Is that a helpful way to debate important topics? The problem with saying “the Bible clearly says” is what we really mean is “I am very confident of … Read More ““The Bible Clearly Says…”” »
I strongly believe that one of the most important skills for any Christian, whether pastor or layperson, is to be able to correctly interpret the Bible. It is in interpretation that we often stumble. A great resource that I have come across is Grasping God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays. This … Read More “Grasping God’s Word – Review” »
I believe that a lot of our problems and misunderstandings about the Bible and Christianity would be solved if we read Bible passages in context. I love it when Greg Koukl reminds us to “never read a Bible verse.” He doesn’t mean never read the Bible, just never stop with reading just that verse by … Read More “Reading the Bible in Context” »
Bible reading is good. Responsible Bible reading is better. It is not enough to just randomly open a Bible and put your finger down on a verse. There are some good practices that people can use to read the Bible appropriately. One of the ways to do this is to ask questions. Here are five … Read More “5 Questions to Ask When Reading the Bible” »
Study Hermeneutics If I had to choose the number one need within the church, I would say that it is knowledge of the Bible. If I had to choose number two, it would be the need to interpret the Bible correctly. It is wonderful when people read the Bible but it does no good if … Read More “30 Day Apologetics Challenge: Day 21” »
I came across an internet meme with the following message, “The Rapture in the Book of Revelation: Revelation 3:10,11.” Does this passage really teach the rapture? “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who … Read More “Does Revelation 3:10-11 Teach the Rapture?” »
One of the most important skills that a Christian can develop is biblical interpretation. Judges is a book that gives us plenty of opportunities to grow our skills in biblical interpretation. Judges 21 is just one example. Here is the story. In the previous chapter, the Israelites went to war with Benjamin (which itself was … Read More “Stealing Girls and Biblical Interpretation” »
I frequently hear people say that the Bible promises this or the Bible promises that. But what does that mean? Is it as simple as saying that anything the Bible says must be a promise for us to hold on to? Some would think so. I would like to express caution when claiming a Bible … Read More “What is a Bible Promise?” »
Biblical interpretation is one of the most important skills for a Christian. This is something not just for a pastor or a professor. The Christian who reads five verses before bed needs to know how to interpret the Bible. Here are seven keys that will help you to interpret the Bible correctly. This does not … Read More “7 Keys to Biblical Interpretation” »
Revelation is the most misinterpreted book in the entire Bible. The reason for this is very simple. The problem is the starting point. Many people begin their interpretation of Revelation with their newspaper or television. They see what is happening in the world and then interpret Revelation through that lens. That is the wrong starting … Read More “The Key to Interpreting the Book of Revelation” »
We should interpret the Bible by what we read. However, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 is an example of a passage that others have interpreted for us before we ever read open the Bible. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” (2 Cor 6:14) Many Christians read this a passage as a proof text against religiously mixed … Read More “What Does “Unequally Yoked” Mean?” »
