Bible Reading Tools
Bible Reading Tools
The Bible is not just about begetting and butchery. It is the story of the People of God – a proclamation of the truly Good News that God loves us in spite of ourselves and a safe beacon on the journey to seeing the light of the Way, the Truth and the Life that is Jesus. Let’s be honest – it is full of awesome challenges and warnings. But it is the Word of God -brought to us through human agencies – and we sometimes need help to see and understand the relevance to our lives. Above all, it is a real, tangible witness to what God wants us – and we need – to know about Himself. Being human we sometimes see “through a glass darkly” – this applies to us all. Certainly to myself and, I respectfully suggest (whatever your attainments), it also includes YOU too, doesn’t it? Admit it! To accompany and fortify our daily conversation with God – our PRAYERS – there are several useful tools. First Steps
Many of us find a structured guide to the Bible helpful, looking at themes or books in a constructive, stimulating way. These include quarterly booklets like Daily Bread or Bible Reading Fellowship Notes and Rev. Marlene can help you with these. Another good way to digest what the Bible has to say to us is to consider it in the company of good friends and fellow travellers in a House Group – these often run on a common theme, especially at times like Advent or Lent. We have several of these, as noted elsewhere in this issue. Also from time to time there are discipleship courses such as Alpha, Emmaus or Freedom in Christ – keep an eye out for details of these as they arise periodically. Travelling On
There are times when, for instance, we are preparing to read a lesson, to write an article or prepare a talk or just to really get to grips with a particular issue or Biblical book, chapter or passage. We need to dig deeper, check out our actual knowledge or understanding, or to be wary of preconceptions of our own. To see past the different usages of language over the centuries – originally the Bible was written in a foreign language, by people with a different perspective from our own – but to whom God wanted to speak too. To help us in this there are resources of great substance and insight:-
Commentaries:
These tend to be large tomes dealing with the whole Bible and can be well-established (such as Peake’s Commentary) or modern (like the Oxford Bible Commentary). They tend to be expensive, even in paperback – but hey! When did you last really use your local library! Alternatively, there are single-volume editions dealing with a particular book or group of books, eg I have found some on Acts of the Apostles, Romans, Corinthians and Revelation really helpful. There are many publishers and they are usually more affordable: a local Christian bookshop will be pleased to help you here.
Parallel Gospels:
The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke are collectively known as the Synoptic Gospels because they share sources and tell the story in a different way from John. Putting the stories side by side, it is illuminating and fascinating to see how one writer deals with a particular passage more comprehensively but another barely mentions another episode. Which parables and miracles are in one Gospel but not another? The edition of Throckmorton is generally acknowledged. Concordances: This is a book which not only defines words but traces every reference to a word or phrase in the whole Bible! Young’s Analytical Concordance is particularly recommended.
Websites:
These are sites which not only include online versions of the above bible study tools, covering various translations and paraphrases, with powerful search engines, but they often include prayers, articles and other useful resources. The following I find particularly helpful:-
Crosswalk – many articles of “faith seeking understanding” in practical issues.
NT Gateway – points to thought-provoking academic sites.
Wikipedia (not just theology but philosophy/reason, morals/ethics, science and many other matters) – an open and honest forum, in my view.
I particularly recommend Christianity: The Complete Guide (ed. John Bowden) for its fascinating exposition of church history and of contemporary faith issues. I trust the above will be encouraging rather than daunting – you may even come to appreciate a return to your local library services (including reference)! They can certainly form the basis of a sound knowledge and speculation forum. But biographies and faith stories should not be discounted – if the writers have been there, they should be acknowledged for contributing to our understanding of what faith entails for real people and life as it is, often perplexing and challenging. That is no reason, of itself, for shrinking from “joined-up thinking” – and challenge! Remember, Jesus came that all might have abundant life! Enjoy!