Frank Viola | Beyond Evangelical
Official Blog of Author & Speaker Frank Viola. Digging below the surface and moving beyond the shallows in today's Christianity.
Do You Make These 8 Mistakes When Reading the Bible? (Video)
Frank Viola | Beyond Evangelical
Official Blog of Author & Speaker Frank Viola. Digging below the surface and moving beyond the shallows in today's Christianity.
Bono on Jesus: Is the Lead Singer of U2 the New C.S. Lewis?
I am thankful you listed prayer as the first priority in reading the bible. I feel this is absolutely critical.
Joh 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
We cannot learn any truth except it be revealed to us through the Spirit. Thus it is imperative that we be “in the Spirit” when reading the bible.
Joh 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
Joh 5:40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
1Co 2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
1Co 2:10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
1Co 2:11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
Once I experienced the revelation and joy and power of reading the scriptures in the Spirit all the other methods seem like chaff.
The principles you described are important in helping us be “in the spirit” when reading the bible.
Great points Frank, I have read the bible a number of times and still new things crop up. I am sure that reading it the way you suggest here will help to minimize this from happening.
I’ve definitely read the Bible without prayer and I think prayer really is what stirs everything together. So without it, its almost like the other half is missing.
Are there any resources out there for helping us to put each book into its context?
Yes. For the NT, this https://www.frankviola.org/untold
Great article. I especially zeroed in on reading the Bible in context. Doing that can keep us from misunderstanding the passages like you mentioned in Timothy, where Paul is speaking to specific problems such as his forbidding particular women from teaching who were bringing in false teaching, rather than the common misunderstanding that he was saying that women in general should never teach or lead men.
The Bible is a unique book in that it is the only book we can read where the Author of the Book lives inside us!
Er, a big thank you, to Judi Hauck! * hug *
Thank you so much for that! You had that on audio a while back, and being deaf, I was disappointed to miss that. What you’ve done is deeply appreciated.
Hello Frank, are you so sure about step 5 when Christ said I have not come to do away with the law and the prophets?
Hi Rod. Jesus said it wouldn’t pass away but it would be fulfilled in Him. Both the Law and the Prophets “speak of Me,” Jesus said. In “Jesus: A Theography,” Len Sweet and I go into how the Old Testament rituals points to and are fulfilled in Christ by using the New Testament as a commentary on that point. You may be interested in reading that. For instance, we don’t sacrifice lambs today because Jesus is the Lamb. We don’t meet in a physical temple because the church is the temple where God dwells. If a person wears any clothes — shirt, pants, socks — that has mixed fabrics, they are violating the Old Testament law. An OT priest couldn’t have a flat nose or have his private organs damaged. Do these apply today literally? Those are just some examples of the spiritual nature of the OT system.
Great post. Thanks for all that you do.
Dear Frank,
Good points you make, and I agree with the two added by Robert Curtis. On point 2 I would like to add the problem of differences in versions of the Bible. If you are aware of differences in the versions of the Bible, i.e. between the KJV and the NIV on a certain scripture you are reading, keep reading and don’t be distracted by it. Though this is my main interest in my studies for my blog, I strongly encourage people to stick to their version of choice. One can later study the causes for the variations, but during your sitting, you shouldn’t allow it to distract you.
God bless,
Herman
Great tips. Plus the books you mention sound great. Can’t wait to get them!
Very nice Mr. Viola,
It is good to have these important guidelines. I am sending a copy of this blog post to our planting team. It will aid us all as we work to learn the Scripture together and too help others to do the same.
I would add a ninth and a tenth principal if I may…
9. Approach the Scripture with a fresh mindset each time you come to it. See the writing for what it says, endeavor to leave what you think you know about a passage behind and engage with the Words of God as He meant them. Pray that you would be able to leave your opinions out of the matter. Find out what God has to say.
10. Above all know abundantly that what you are reading is completely trustworthy no matter how far fetched you may think it at first. Let the faith that comes only from the Truth overwhelm and convince you completely. Let Truth Rule You!