HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE (From Previous)
First Mention
The First time a word, a phrase, an object or incident is mentioned in the Bible it gives the key to its meaning anywhere else in the Bible whenever it may occur.
In Gen.3 we have the first mention of fig leaves. Their meaning here will be their meaning everywhere in the Bible. Here, fig leaves represent Adam's attempt to cover his own sin and nakedness by the works of his own hand and his own efforts. It speaks of self righteousness, rejection of God's remedy and an attempt to justify oneself before God.
The last time fig leaves are mentioned in the Bible is by Jesus in Matt.21, Mark 11 and Mark 13.
To interpret this act of Jesus we need only to remember the Law of First Mention and go back to Gen.3. Fig Leaves speak of man's rejection of God's remedy and an attempt to Justify himself. It speaks of self-righteousness without the fruit of repentance.
Triple Approach
All Scripture has Three approaches or Three meanings:
1. All Scripture has one and only primary interpretation.
2. All Scripture has many practical applications.
3. Many Scriptures have in addition a prophetic revelation.
If we see only the primary interpretation we become dogmatic, sound in doctrine but lifeless in practice. Your theology may be very clear but leaves you frozen. We need to see the practical application,as well, for the truth of our own lives.
To be interested only in the doctrine and the interpretation and not in practice will make us bigots and Pharisees. If we see only the practical application and not the primary interpretation it will make us shallow and fanatical.
To see the Scripture only as prophetic revelation and ignore the other two will result in prophetic eschatological phanaticism.
Common Sense
The Bible is not a dark and difficult book to study. God wrote it for simple people like you and me, not only for intellectuals. Use common sense and read it just like you read any other book. There are many figures and metaphors in it but so are there in all literature. Take it all literally, except
when your common sense tells you that it is not to be taken figuratively or symbolically.
(to be continued)
First Mention
The First time a word, a phrase, an object or incident is mentioned in the Bible it gives the key to its meaning anywhere else in the Bible whenever it may occur.
In Gen.3 we have the first mention of fig leaves. Their meaning here will be their meaning everywhere in the Bible. Here, fig leaves represent Adam's attempt to cover his own sin and nakedness by the works of his own hand and his own efforts. It speaks of self righteousness, rejection of God's remedy and an attempt to justify oneself before God.
The last time fig leaves are mentioned in the Bible is by Jesus in Matt.21, Mark 11 and Mark 13.
To interpret this act of Jesus we need only to remember the Law of First Mention and go back to Gen.3. Fig Leaves speak of man's rejection of God's remedy and an attempt to Justify himself. It speaks of self-righteousness without the fruit of repentance.
Triple Approach
All Scripture has Three approaches or Three meanings:
1. All Scripture has one and only primary interpretation.
2. All Scripture has many practical applications.
3. Many Scriptures have in addition a prophetic revelation.
If we see only the primary interpretation we become dogmatic, sound in doctrine but lifeless in practice. Your theology may be very clear but leaves you frozen. We need to see the practical application,as well, for the truth of our own lives.
To be interested only in the doctrine and the interpretation and not in practice will make us bigots and Pharisees. If we see only the practical application and not the primary interpretation it will make us shallow and fanatical.
To see the Scripture only as prophetic revelation and ignore the other two will result in prophetic eschatological phanaticism.
Common Sense
The Bible is not a dark and difficult book to study. God wrote it for simple people like you and me, not only for intellectuals. Use common sense and read it just like you read any other book. There are many figures and metaphors in it but so are there in all literature. Take it all literally, except
when your common sense tells you that it is not to be taken figuratively or symbolically.
(to be continued)
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