Bible Study

[Jake Huether]

Bible Study.

Something occurred to me last night as I lay in bed. I thought it might be edifying for you.

The study of Scripture was on my heart. This, after I had finished reading a chapter or so in St. Anselm’s Treatise on Truth (which I’ve been reading now for a few days).

And the thought came to me that a Christian must study Scripture, but not simply by memorizing verses. There is a right and a wrong way to go about studying the Word of God.

You see, when we as students studied, we didn’t simply memorize the text that 2 and 2 equals 4. If this were the case, we would have been blind-sided when posed with the question of whether or not 2 and 2 also equaled 3 and 1. Because one can memorize that when plus is sandwiched between 2 and followed by equals 4, the statement is correct. However, that same person may never know the concept that what is really happening is that we are starting out with a group of 4 objects and dividing them into parts to be added back into the whole. So that while 2 and 2 equals 4, so also does 3 and 1 or 0 and 4.

When we study, therefore, we don’t set out to know the text of what we are studying. The purpose of our study is to know the concept, the idea, and the thoughts of the Author that are brought to us in the form of text.

When we study Scripture we lean that Jesus is the way (John 14:6). This is good to know in and of itself. But if one simply memorizes that Jesus is the way, found in the fourteenth chapter of John, verse 6, without knowing the meaning of the way, the way to what or where – or who Jesus was to be the way, this study was in vain. Rather, when we study we must strive to understand the meaning that is behind the text: the Mind of God, rather than the text of the book.

John 5:

38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

The Jews, who Jesus was talking to, were studying Scripture diligently, but their intent wasn’t to understand God’s Word. If it was they would have known that His “Word was made flesh and dwelt among them”!

We are called not only to read, but also to contemplate Scripture. To learn the Word of God, who is Jesus.

And so it is fruitful to read the writings of the early church fathers, those who had learned first hand from the Apostles and Disciples of Christ. They were the ones for whom the original epistles were penned. It is fruitful also to read supplementary material as to the culture and times of Jesus. To know what certain phrases meant. But also, it is fruitful to go beyond the text of a verse and know what each word in the text might mean. In this way, when we don’t have access to the Bible (like during work, etc.), we can still study the Word of God through contemplation.

Jesus is the Truth (also John 14:6). But what is Truth, as Pilate asked (John 18:38)? We know in our hearts what Truth is, but contemplate Truth, and know what it is and what it is not. Because Truth is Jesus! And to know Truth is to know Jesus.

I bring this up because of the thought that hit my heart after reading St. Anselm. It made me realize that although I wasn’t, at that moment, studying the words of Scripture, I was indeed studying the Word of God. Not in the inerrant, inspired Word of God, but in a contemplative and thought provoking dialogue. Because although the writings of St. Anselm aren’t inspired, as is the written Word of God in Sacred Scripture, his writings focus our minds and our understanding on who God is. In essence, I wasn’t studying “2 and 2 equals 4” – an example of what text I might find in the Bible, I was studying why 2 and 2 equals 3 and 1. As such, while I didn’t have the Bible open to any particular page, the meaning of the Bible was being made known via the contemplation and teachings of St. Anselm.

I’m not just trying to put a plug in for good ol’ St. Anselm… But I had it on my heart to tell you my thoughts.

I guess my main point is when hearing or studying the words of Scripture, to let the words sink in. Each letter forms a part of the intent that God had when He inspired the writers to pen His Word. Furthermore, English is how the intent of the Word is brought to us. And so while the letters and words may be conveyed in different languages, and even different styles within a language, it is the meaning that we must look for, and not simply a memorization of text.

I’m probably preaching to the choir here… I’m done with my babble.

God bless you today and always.

[thessalonian]

Edited November 14, 2005 by thessalonian

[thessalonian]

I was only kidding with the guitar choir. . This is something I have been thinking with my discussion with my protestant friend over imputed righteousness. I give him scripture and he has a pre-concieved notion of imputed righteousness that masks what the scriptures really say. Interestingly enough I think tradition is in reality the framework of truth that allows us to really learn how to think with regard to scripture. It frames it in such a way that we head down a path of truth, rather than dead ends. Protestant theology nullifies the word of God because it is traditions created by man that don't really fit. I heard it said by JP II that it is better for a man to be taught nothing than to be taught error. Tradition is to the WOG as the 10 commandments are to moral freedom. They free us to find truth rather than blind us to error.

[Seven77]

Thanks Jake!

this is what i love about the way the Church lays out the cycle of Readings.. to recieve Scripture as a whole and to encounter Christ. when studying the Sunday Readings one can discover the underlying thread that ties them together and begin to enter into contemplation. we as Catholics can and must become familiar with Scripture tthat it becomes part of us. Thats why i believe the subphorum at the top is so important.

"Bible Christians?? Ohh.. you mean Catholics!"

[Guest Rick777]

good one