Advice to Study with an Open Mind? with Mike Licona

Special Guest Dr. Mike Licona returns and gives us advice on how to look at multiple sources when reading authors' interpretations of the Biblical text.

The Studying Christian

At http://theresurgence.com Mark Driscoll deals with the issue of study and the Christian. He notes: Scripture regarding study

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)

“Give me understanding to learn your commands.” (Psalm 119:73)

“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.” (Proverbs 9:9)

“Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” (Proverbs 10:14)

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 23:12)

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.” (1 Timothy 2:11)

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls [books], especially the parchments [Scriptures].” (2 Timothy 4:13)

To help us learn Scripture, we are told to:

Hear God’s Word (Luke 11:28; Romans 10:17), which means that listening to sermons, lectures, and audio Bibles is very beneficial.
Read God’s Word (e.g., Revelation 1:3) as Jesus often did.
Study God’s Word (e.g., Ezra 7:10; Acts 17:11) as Jesus often did, which caused people to be amazed at His insights (Matthew 7:28–29).
Memorize God’s Word (Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 22:17–19) as Jesus did, which enabled Him to freely quote Scripture as needed (e.g., Matthew 4:1–11).

We All Error In Bible Interpretation, But . . .

Quoting William Plumer . . .

	The knowledge of God possessed by angels and by the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven, is very different in degree from that possessed by even good and able men on earth. Here all men are liable to err, and all men do err. No man on this earth is without some wrong view, or some ignorance, which mars his knowledge. This is no reason for sloth or discouragement; but is a good reason why we should be humble and careful and teachable, and pray for divine light and guidance. It is far different in heaven. There they do always hold the face of God. Matthew 18:10. They do not hope for anything, for they already possess all good. Romans 8:24. "Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. Knowledge without any mixture of error belongs only to the heavenly state. And yet a great part of the knowledge which the inhabitants of heaven have - concerns the very things which good men are learning in this world. Those above know perfectly what we know in parcels only.
From:	Theology For The People (Year 1875) Comments: Many Emergents would probably 'amen' the above post, except for the part highlighted in yellow. For that section of Plumer's book, they would probably prefer it to be replaced with something like this: "This is the reason we must embrace mystery, and try not to be so arrogant as to think that any of us has the truth cornered." William Plumer on the other hand, was a theologian who believed (as most did in those days) that the truth could be known and understood, and if you thoroughly studied your bible, and you earnestly prayed for it, the Holy Spirit just might give it to you. Do today's Emergents have any great bible expositors or systematic theologians among them? Do they have anyone who values their bible as though it were a treasure to be studied and guarded? Posted by: Jim B

The problem with relevance in Bible study

Conrad Gempf offers a spot-on analogy on what's wrong with approaching Bible study by trying to make it "relevant" to the lives of readers:

We've talked a little bit about the 20th century idea that you have to make the Bible relevant to today in order for people to be interested. It's still such a prevalent myth that I dealt with this. . . using examples drawn from relationships. My wife works in the Health, Safety and Environment group of an oil company. When she talks to me about her day, I have a choice. I could try to filter what she says in terms of what's relevant to my life and interests. I could insist that she work harder at thinking through how she talks to me in terms of how it will impact me. If I love her, though, something strange happens. Things that affect her -- even statistics about non-fatal accidents in Siberia -- become relevant to me because they affect the person I love. It's not her job to make her life into something that suits my tastes. If anything, it's my job to change my ideas about what's interesting and relevant so that I can listen empathetically and stand alongside her.

Amen, brother.