Methods of Bible Study - part two
INTRODUCTION:
1. In our last lesson we began looking at what is termed the "analytical method" of Bible study, what it means and some of what is involved by this type of study.
2. In this lesson we continue to consider the analytical method of study by noting some sound rules for studying God's Word, as well as briefly looking at the topical method of Bible study.
I. RULES TO HELP US IN UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE (continued from previous lesson)
A. Seek to understand the "Time Limited" scriptures.
1. Time limited scriptures are those which teach that which is limited in its application to a given person, place or time.
2. The Old and New Testaments - 2 Cor. 3:6-9
a. Involved in this is the matter of time. The "letter" was a temporary law and the "Spirit" is a permanent law.
b. Because "their minds were hardened", the Jews (and many today) refused to understand that the law of Moses "is done away in Christ" (vs. 14)
c. Much confusion exist today because of a failure to make the proper distinction between these two laws; such has led to several unauthorized religious practice - i.e., instrumental music in worship, observance of the sabbath day, etc.
3. The age of miracles.
a. Scriptures that teach of the working of miracles need to be understood in their proper time frame - cf. Mark 16:17-18, 20; Heb. 2:4
b. A failure to remember these as "time limited" scriptures results in many errors and brings about occasions for frauds to deceive by their trickery - cf. Acts 8:9-11
c. The Bible teaches that miracles have ceased - 1 Cor. 13:8ff.; Acts 8:14, 18
4. Instruction personally addressed to certain individuals.
a. Not everything found in the Bible is of universal application; analyzing scripture will seek to understand not only what is said, but to whom it was written to and whether or not it has unlimited application.
b. Examples:
1) Noah's instruction to build an ark - Gen. 6:14
2) Promise of the Holy Spirit given to the apostles - John 14:26; Acts 1:5
* Many have sought to make this universal, claiming a baptism of the Holy Spirit today.
3) Timothy's personal instruction to bring specified items to Paul - 2 Tim. 4:13
5. Scriptures consideration of a past culture:
a. The holy kiss - Rom. 16:16
b. The washing of feet - 1 Tim. 5:9-10
B. Recognize symbolic language and figures of speech.
1. Quotations for definition:
a. "A figure is simply a word or a sentence thrown into a peculiar form, different from its original or simplest meaning or use" (Figures of Speech Used In The Bible, E.W. Bullinger, pg. xv)
b. "All language is governed by law, but, in order to increase the power of a word, or the force of an expression, these laws are designedly departed from, and words and sentences are thrown into, and used in, new forms or figures" (Bullinger, pg. v).
2. Primarily, figures of speech are always used to intensify the meaning of a text.
a. This is important because many look at figures of speech as though it lessened the meaning and deprived the words of their power.
b. An example would be those who dismiss the subject of "hell" as being figurative, and are relieved because they think figurative language takes away the force of the message. But this is not true; rather than weaken the meaning, figurative language always strengthens it.
3. How do we distinquish figures of speech from language to be understood literally?
a. Whenever possible, scripture should be understood literally, taken at face value.
b. But, whenever scripture becomes contrary to known fact or revealed truth, then one may reasonably expect some figure is being used.
4. Some common figures of speech used in the Bible:
a. Simile - a comparison through the use of words "like" or "as" - Matt. 11:16. A simile may be lengthened into a parable - Matt. 13
b. Metaphor - a comparison by representation: "Go tell that fox..." - Lk. 13:32. This wasn't a literal fox, but the making of a comparison to one wilely as a fox. A metaphor may be lengthened into an allegory (Isa. 5:1- 7).
c. Metonymy - a change of one noun for another related noun: "And he took the cup ... and said, Take this and divide it among yourselves" - Lk. 22:17. The word "cup" means the contents of the cup, not the container itself.
* Congregations have split over this very issue because of those failing to distinquish between literal and figurative language.
d. Hyperbole - an exaggeration. This usage is especially common in the Old Testament - Deut. 1:28
5. Then, there's the use of symbols and types in the Bible.
a. "There are many things in the Bible which are conveyed to our minds, not in didactic language, nor yet in figurative language, properly speaking. They are figures of thought, rather than figures of speech" (D.R. Dungan, Hermeneutics, pg. 346).
b. In this category (figures of thought) are symbols and types.
1) Example of "symbols": the image seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream - Dan. 2:1-45; this was symbolic of ancient kingdoms before the establishment of Christ's kingdom.
2) Example of "types": the priest-king Melchizedek in Genesis was a type or pattern in several ways of Jesus - Heb. 7:15
II. A BRIEF LOOK AT THE TOPICAL METHOD OF BIBLE STUDY.
A. This approach allows one to choose a particular Bible subject (person, command, place, etc.), and gather information by studying all the Bible says about it.
B. The importance of this approach is realized when one recognizes the Bible doesn't exhaust a subject in one passage. The student must research and examine many scriptures in which the subject is found.
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C. Helpful in this method of study will be the use of outside study aids, such as Bible dictionaries, Bible Concordances, Bible Encyclopedias, Commentaries, etc. Some recommended works in these categories:
1. Bible Dictionaries:
a. W.E. Vine's, "An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words"
b. Smith's Bible Dictionary
c. Unger's Bible Dictionary
2. Bible Concordances:
a. Cruden's Complete Concordance
b. Young's Analytical Concordance
c. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
3. Bible Encyclopedias:
a. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (5 volumes)
b. The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (5 volumes)
4. Bible Commentaries:
* Note: A commentary is one person's interpretation of what the Bible says. While there is benefit in studying them for learning new thoughts, ideas, etc., the student must remember they are not inspired and, like any work of human origin, subject to error. Therefore, one should rely on the Bible first and foremost and consult commentaries merely to aid in a better understanding of it.
a. Commentaries by brethren:
- Gospel Advocate New Testament Commentaries (14 volumes)
- Zerr's Commentaries (5 volumes)
- Truth Commentaries (10 volumes thus far; in process of being written)
b. Other popular commentaries (denominational)
- Barnes Notes on the Old and New Testament (27 volumes)
- The Pulpit Commentary (22 volumes)
c. Popular one volume commentaries by brethren:
- Homer Hailey's commentaries on: Job, Isaiah, Minor Prophets, Revelation
- New Commentary on Acts of the Apostles, J.W. McGarvey
d. Popular one volume commentaries (denominational)
- The New Bible Commentary: Revised
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
- Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible
- McKnight on the Epistles
QUESTIONS:
1. Explain what is meant by "time limited" scriptures and give at least two examples.
2. True/ False: Figures of speech have a tendency to weaken the force of a scripture.
3. In our Bible study, how do we distinquish between figurative and literal language?
4. Define the following a give an example of each:
a. simile -
b. metaphor -
c. metonymy -
d. hyperbole -
5. What is a "type" and give an example?
6. What is the "topical method" of Bible study?
