Subject: Never Read a Bible Verse |
Bible Note: 'Never Read a Bible Verse' by Gregory Koukl 'If there was one bit of wisdom, one rule of thumb, one single skill I could impart, one useful tip I could leave that would serve you well the rest of your life, what would it be? What is the single most important practical skill I've ever learned as a Christian? 'Here it is: Never read a Bible verse. That's right, never read a Bible verse. Instead, always read a paragraph -- at least. 'My Radio Trick 'When I'm on the radio, I use this simple rule to help me answer the majority of Bible questions I'm asked, even when I'm totally unfamiliar with the verse. It's an amazingly effective technique you can use, too. 'I read the [Bible] paragraph, not just the verse. I take stock of the relevant material above and below. Since the context frames the verse and gives it specific meaning, I let it tell me what's going on. 'This works because of a basic rule of all communication: Meaning always flows from the top down, from the larger units to the smaller units, not the other way around. The key to the meaning of any verse comes from the paragraph, not just from the individual words. 'The numbers in front of the sentences give the illusion the verses stand alone in their meaning. They were not in the originals, though. Numbers were added hundreds of years later. Chapter and verse breaks sometimes pop up in unfortunate places, separating relevant material that should be grouped together. 'First, ignore the verse numbers and try to get the big picture. Then begin to narrow your focus. It's not very hard or time consuming. It takes only a few moments and a little observation of the text. 'Begin with the broad context of the book. What type of literature is it: history, poetry, proverb? What is the passage about in general? What idea is being developed? 'Stand back from the verse and look for breaks in the narrative that identify major units of thought. Ask, "What in this paragraph or group of paragraphs gives any clue to the meaning of the verse?" 'There's a reason this little exercise is so important. Words have different meanings in different contexts (that's what makes puns work). When we consider a verse in isolation, one meaning may occur to us. But how do we know it's the right one? Help won't come from the dictionary. Dictionaries only complicate the issue, giving us more choices, not fewer. Help must come from somewhere else close by: the surrounding paragraph. 'With the larger context now in view, you can narrow your focus and speculate on the meaning of the verse itself. Sum it up in your own words. 'Finally, and this is critical, see if your paraphrase makes sense when inserted in the passage. Does it dovetail naturally with the bigger picture? (...) 'Daily Bread? 'This raises legitimate questions about daily devotionals that build a short message from a single verse. In my view, such quiet-time helps can be inspirational, but they come with an obvious drawback. 'Fortunately, the liability can be overcome by remembering our basic rule: Never read a Bible verse. Instead, read a paragraph, at least. Always check the context. Observe the flow of thought. Then focus on the verse. 'Remember, meaning always flows from the top down, from the larger units to the smaller units. A reflection on a Bible passage from a sermon or a devotional may be edifying, encouraging, and uplifting. If it is not the message of the text, though, it lacks biblical authority even when the quote comes right out of the Word of God. 'If you will do this one thing -- if you will read carefully in the context applying the paraphrase principle -- you will begin to understand the Bible as God intended. Without the bigger picture you'll be lost. 'Only when you are properly informed by God's Word -- the way it is writtenin its context -- can you be transformed by it. Every piece becomes powerful when it's working together with the whole. 'It's the most important practical lesson I've ever learned…and the single most important thing I could ever teach you.' For Further Reading: Russell, Walt Playing with Fire -- How the Bible Ignites Change in Your Soul. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2000. Koukl, Gregory "The Perils of Prooftexting" Solid Ground, Sept-Oct 1999 Sire, James Scripture Twisting. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1980. Carson, D.A. Exegetical Fallacies. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. Fee, Gordon, and Stuart, Douglas How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982. ____________________ (Never Read a Bible Verse By Gregory Koukl) To read more go to: www.str.org At this website, under "Search Stand to Reason", enter the words: never read a Bible verse |
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