I mentioned before that during a family bible study of 1Corinthians, the Mr. and I discovered that we were a bit confused about what was being said there. Our literal verse by verse wasn't quite gelling with what we thought we had all figured out, so we took a break. Here are some of the things I have learned from the stepping back.
It has humbled me and shown me that I was haughty. I was. I found myself puffing up into thinking that everyone who wasn't reading and studying the bible at every opportunity were not as spiritual as me.
It has shown me how much the studying I did do was more theological (and by that I mean smarty pants stuff and wedging verses into my currently held beliefs) than I thought it was. I found that even verse-by-verse teachers who prided themselves in not skipping difficult passages were doing just that. The worst twisting and wresting I've seen and bought into were during many of these studies.I think that sometimes we do a real disservice to ourselves by insisting that everything must fit, everything must make sense right now and if it doesn't - we'll make it fit! Sometimes it is okay to just admit we don't understand something.
I can now see what is so important about being a doer and not just a hearer. People who are hurting need compassion, kindness, a listening ear- not someone reciting scripture.
All that being said, reading and studying the scriptures should be a very important part of our lives, but doesn't do us any good if we keep our light hidden. We can learn all the kings of Judah, but if we don't show love of Christ to those around us, we are just clanging gongs.
A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
So true, Ma...
ReplyDeleteThat day that I mused about bread, then relating it to the Word...sorry to admit I'm still not even close to where I need to be with Bible reading...and yet God hasn't "struck me dead" over it, and still provides me assurance that He is with me and brings to my remembrance the things that I did learn from Him...I've been way too busy with work and trying to get organized at home (a never ending project) but I know it's going to be ok "in spite of" (lol) me :)
brings to my remembrance the things that I did learn from Him.
DeleteI find that to be the case for me too, it's really neat, isn't it?
And about the bread thing. I still wonder if the "bread of life" is the bible or Jesus. Jesus says it is Him. (when I was Catholic, we did take this quite literally with communion). I used to get very bent out of shape when accused of making the bible an idol (some - not all- Catholics accuse protestants of such), but I can see how it can be (an idol)
We have to be able to hear HIS voice. And He does speak through the scriptures, but He says HE is the word.
So much to ponder!
Ma, you are so right on sister, in that if we are only hearers and not doers, and we don't have love, we are nothing. Zip, ziltch.
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest a wonderful little printable booklet called "Hermaneutics: How To Study The Bible" by Gene Taylor? (Hermaneutics being the art & science of studying the Scriptures).
Mr Taylor has put together an easy to follow booklet using many of the same resources we used in Bible college.
If you're interested here's the PDF link:
http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/taylor/hermeneutics.pdf
ps. If we are not always learning something new and exciting in God's Word and being challenged in our doctrine, we are probably stagnating. It's living and active!
Thank you so much Diane, I will look at that. I'm always interested in new resources. I am also enjoying your sovereignty study as well:)
DeleteThe part about the scriptures being active is very interesting to me at this time, too.
Amen to all this!! Intelligence and knowing a lot can never replace helping others in need!! And God never forgets a single thing we do for him, I believe this is the most important thing, it is what Jesus ministry was all about. I am impressed by your admissions here, well done!!!
ReplyDeleteWhatever we do unto the least of these (or did not do)...that is a powerful and scary statement by Jesus, isn't it? The idea that we are the Body of Christ is somehow new to me too.
DeleteAmen, Ma. I've been praying for both love and truth.
ReplyDeleteMe too Persis!
DeleteI have been attending a Bible study and we were sort of talking about the same thing! You are so wise Ma. I love to read your thoughts on scripture!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
I love bible studies. I assume this is at your new church home? We've been teaching Sunday school, so have missed the adult bible studies for the last few months. I pray that the Lord will fill you with understanding:)
DeleteVery true, Ma! One is never sufficient without the other. Studying scripture should produce fruit, not smartypants wisecracks. :-) I like the verses you've picked. Blessings!
ReplyDeletesmartypants wisecracks!
DeleteWow, that was very honest and thought-provoking. So true.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Stacie
Thanks for reading Stacie, I always enjoy your honesty as well.
DeleteHi Ma,
ReplyDeleteI had another strange dream this morning...didn't have time today to post about it, will try to get it in tomorrow...it kinda goes along with what you say in this post, taken to the extreme...and made me see more clearly why we are to pray for our enemies (real and/or perceived enemies---perceptions here are tricky, this world is like a hall of mirrors). Anyway, praying that hopefully I'll find a snippet of time...and that I'll be able to make sense of what right now are still pretty jumbled thoughts about it. :)
hall of mirrors, that is interesting thing to ponder...I'll be looking for your post:)
DeleteHi Ma, A couple hundred years ago most people couldn't read so they had to listen to the Gospel, that was the only way! God in his grace sent the Holy Spirit to prepare the illiterate to receive those who could read and share it to the unlearned. Hearing then believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ. All they got further of the Gospel was again from what others told them.
ReplyDeleteModern people also often have limited access to the Word, maybe a corrupted or attenuated version or maybe lead by teachers who are mislead themselves in theology. But the same Father and Son and Holy Spirit leads us into truth eventually through it all. It is a lifelong journey toward perfection. Thank our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that He will not will not will not let go of us. Nothing will separate us from his love. :)
That is true, and something that is repeated often in Catholic teaching (not trying to bash them, just saying that was what I experienced) BUT true nonetheless.
DeleteI think we way downplay the Spirit's role in salvation and many bible teachers put great emphasis on the scriptures, which is great, but as you said, everyone having all this access to them is relatively new.
I agree that many teachings are misleading or downright false, but having gone down several paths of theology over the years, I find that He is faithful in my searchings!
BTW, I did get a bunch of comments from you....I thought I was REAL popular for a minute (lol:P)
They all came through, so things are working fine on my end:)
The thing I meant oft repeated was that we didn't always have the bible, so no sola scriptura in their view...to clarify.
DeleteExcellent Point!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I love about Calvin is that he is content not to go beyond what Scripture says in his writings. For example, he doesn't propose elaborate hypotheses about why Adam and Eve fell, as many theologians have done, because Scripture doesn't do this. And he doesn't try to provide a detailed philosophical theory of the Trinity, as many theologians have done, because Scripture doesn't do this. I don't think that Calvin would have said that it is wrong to try to explain these things in greater detail than the Bible does. However, I think that he would have insisted that we need to be content with what's in the Bible, and that any of our attempts to exegete the Bible that go beyond the Bible itself are always liable to error. It can be very difficult to remain in a state of puzzlement about some passage in Scripture, but that is our lot in life. If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we don't understanding anything in Scripture remotely perfectly. We certainly don't understand anything about God remotely perfectly. It is always through a glass darkly on this side of eternity, but eventually it will be face-to-face.
ReplyDeleteHello Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI haven't read much Calvin, but I do know he had a very high view of scripture.
I will admit, I'm not always content with what is written, but always trying to seek out the Truth.
Thanks for taking the time to comment:)
I love your deep interpretation of the scripture, Ma. It takes a deep understanding before you could realize what the verses were telling you. As we all know, each word in the Bible is our guidelines to live a better life. It isn’t the word that we should memorize, but the lessons we learn that we can relate to the teachings.
ReplyDeleteCameron Silva
I agree. It is the Spirit and not the letter that gives life:) Thanks for the comment, I'm sorry it took me so long to get back here, this one kind of got by me.
DeleteRead this again just now... and liked it all over. I have used study guides because I was aching to 'know' something. And sometimes knowing is very good and helpful, and I'm not knocking it. But I've found it takes God's Spirit to ignite my mind to ignite my heart to ignite my soul to ignite my awe of God to want to do - to want to love - to want to give grace... What a difference!
ReplyDeleteSomething a friend wrote me recently about this:
DeleteGod accomplishes the 'renewing of the minds'
in and through Christ, where we aren't seeking knowledge about Him, but
opening the door directly for His Presence in continually more fullness.
Not knowing ABOUT Him, but knowing....What a difference!:)
So very true. Thanks, my friend!
Delete