A lot of Christian traditions have their go to verses when it comes to an understanding about the bible. Scripture is held to be sacred, a holy gifts of revelation from God. Some traditions think every word in the King James Version (1611 AD translation) is the only proper English translation. For four hundred years it was the only authorized version for English speaking Christians. Other translations began popping up in the late 19th century. By the late twentieth century there's been a massive proliferation of English translations come available.
It is my opinion that money, not the desire for truth is the reason for the amount of English translations paraded before us. Like any corporation, every book publisher is driven by profit and cash flow. The bible is the best selling book every year. They know that a new translation on the market will increase sales and cash. So when the market shows signs of slowing on bible sales of a particular translation, they release a new and improved version.
Political interests and theological bias also drive translations. The later twentieth century offered translations that were gender neutral, to make the English less offensive to male dominated language as the scriptures were written. Now with other sensitive issues in our society, bibles are coming to market that try and make the scripture sound less offensive. I'm waiting for the translation the removes any talk of our sinfulness at all. We live in a time where no one wants to take responsibility for their actions. We're all victims, in our minds.
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Consider how I love your precepts;
preserve my life according to your steadfast love.
Psalms 119:159
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Let's step back from that mess and just acknowledge what the scriptures are. The scriptures are a means to come to Christ Jesus. In the above passage from John's gospel, Jesus is confronted by religious leaders who oppose Him. Jesus confronts their hypocrisy by explaining while they are studious teachers of scripture, they miss the very purpose of scripture. The bible is pointing us to a life giving relationship with God through His Son, the Savior, Jesus Christ. The words themselves have no ability to save, nor should the bible and its various translations be worshiped.
Any disciple-making process ought to help participants to learn the purpose of scripture and how to read scripture in order to accomplish that purpose. God called Abram and mad a covenant to bless him and through him bless the world. Israel passed along stories of God's relationship with His chosen nation. God revealed Himself to Israel and Israel shared with the world what God revealed through the story of their national journey with God. The story of Israel is the human story. That story helps readers and hearers to understand themselves in the midst of God's creation.
These bible stories were collected over a period of centuries and arranged into a relatively coherent narrative in the books of the Law and the books of history. That would be Genesis through 1st and 2nd Kings. After that the other books supplement the basic narrative. Reading the supplemental material out of context is difficult to understand. Most of the time biblical historians have placed biblical writings in their context for us. Commentaries and study bibles often give notes to help the reader understand the historical context, the original audience and author(s) of the books in the bible.
In addition the literary style is often regarded to fully comprehend. Sometimes the author is using a metaphor to describe life or some point. It requires the reader to understand when metaphor is being used instead of the literal meaning.
But understanding the history and the literary intentions of the authors is not utterly necessary to accomplish the purpose of scripture. These help deepen our comprehension and may give us insight we did not yet possess, but the purpose of the bible is to bring you to a life saving relationship with Jesus.
All Christians have a relationship with Jesus, if they belong to Christ in their hearts. What sets a Christian apart from others is the transformation of the heart by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit guiding our reading, we are not likely to gain the grace the Lord longs to pour into us as we search the scriptures. Remember what the apostle Paul wrote.
Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. (Romans 8:9b)
But if the Spirit of Christ dwells in you, then the Holy Spirit will speak to you the meaning of scripture and direct you to apply its principles to your daily living. Bible study requires two basic tasks.
First, we are to discover principles or truths that God intends for us to know about ourselves or about God. It's nice to know history, but the bible was never written as a history textbook. It's not that kind of book. The bible was written to reveal God and enlighten us as to how we are called to live before our creator.
Second, we are to apply the principles or truths we learn from scripture to the living of our lives. If the bible says that God's covenanted people are not to covet what others have, then we are to check our hearts and minds for that kind of thinking. If we feel we won't be happy unless we have what our neighbors have, then we are coveting. If the student sees everybody has an iPhone, but she doesn't, she whines to mom and dad until she gets her own. A Christian acknowledges that in Christ we have all we need. We guard our hearts against desiring the newest and latest, just because everyone else has it.
So here's a very simple way to study the bible personally. With free Internet bible study tools available there is no need to go and buy expensive commentaries and concordances. You must understand that every commentary, study bible, and monograph on biblical topics are written according the author's theological bias. It is impossible to write any other way. As much as an author may try to be objective and balanced, they will always sway the reader to understand as they understand. Always keep your heart and head open to the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-14)
These two passages from John's gospel are making the point for me. Read the bible. Study commentaries and study bible notes and glean what you can, but always tune your heart to the Spirit of Christ within you to learn what He would have you learn.
So here's how I read. When I am reading a passage I ask myself two questions.
1) What do I want to ask God about this passage? (Principles)
2) What is God asking of me through this passage? (Application)
My main question to ask God is "What do you want me to learn?" Followed by, "What do you want me to do?" When I ask God questions about a text sometimes it's about curiosity about what the text is trying to say. Since I'm reading an translation of the original Hebrew or Greek, I sometimes need to look at the original words and their possible meanings.
A website I use for this is http://www.blueletterbible.org/
Enter the passage you are studying in the search bar. Once there, select the Strong's option. This reveals Strong's Numbers for each Hebrew or Greek word. Click on the number of the word you want to learn more about and you will see dictionary articles on the possible meanings of the word. Note that not every translation on the Blue Letter Bible site has the Strong's option. KJV and HCSB both do.
I like to sometimes use commentaries in http://www.biblestudytools.com/ and I often use https://www.biblegateway.com/ for reading the scripture.
So choose a book to read. If you've never read the bible I suggest you read a gospel from the New Testament which is at the latter third of the bible. Mathew, Mark, Luke or John. Mark is the shortest. Matthew's is the most Jewish and includes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Matthew also includes the story of the wise men who came to give gifts to the newborn king Jesus. Luke wrote to urbanites so there's a lot about God and the wealthy. Luke includes the beloved Good Samaritan parable and the famous Christmas stories of Mary and the shepherds. John is quote different from the other three gospels, seeking to reveal God dwelling among us in Jesus His Son, so that the reader might believe and have life.
As sit down to read say a prayer first. Ask God to speak to you through His word. Expect the Spirit to teach you and show you what you need to learn. This is your daily bread. Read to be fed in your soul. Enjoy! Come to Jesus and have life.
Read and write what questions you may have as a result. Read the text aloud to experience the words differently. Make notes about what you want to ask God or what you think God is asking of you. Consult commentaries, other Christians and your pastors with questions you have not resolved. Make a plan to apply the principles you have discovered to your life. Tell another Christian your plan and ask them to pray for you and encourage you in making the change. Give them permission to hold you accountable.
Reading the word of God puts you in touch with THE WORD, Jesus, who was the WORD made flesh. With Jesus in you, you become enlivened by that same creative WORD. Let there be life!
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