Why Study the Bible?
My experience in practicing Christian Apologetics has shown that most people today, even Christians, do not understand what the Bible actually teaches and this has resulted in an epidemic of Biblical illiteracy.
Is there an epidemic of Biblical Illiteracy in our culture today?
On an episode of “Cash Cab” (a TV game show) two young ‘twenty-something’ adults were answering difficult questions with ease as they rode along attempting to win the grand-prize. They were well on their way when the host of the show asked this: “Name one of the Gospels in the New Testament?” The two contestants looked at each other in bewilderment, asking for a shout out (meaning they could pull over and ask someone on the street) a young man on the sidewalk stopped and thought for a few minutes, then said, “you could try John?” His uncertainty along with theirs was enough to cause your heart to sink. They won the contest, but only on a guess.
“My own experience teaching a class of new college freshman every year for the past 15 years suggests to me that although students 15 years ago knew little about the Bible upon entering my classes, today’s students on average know even less about the Bible.”
-Kenneth Berding, New Testament Professor, U.C. Irvine
Does God give us reasons to know the Bible?
Here are a few…
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” -Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NIV)
We can cross-reference Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40 as He gives the Great Commandment referencing the Old Testament (notice an emphasis on using our minds):
“And He said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Solomon teaches us this principle in the Proverbs:
“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” -Proverbs 7:1-3 (NIV)
Paul and Peter both teach the importance of knowing Scripture:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.” -1 Peter 1:22-25 (NIV)
Something to think about:
Food for our physical bodies vs. food for our spiritual bodies—are there similarities? Studies suggest that eating six small meals a day might be the healthiest way to maintain blood sugar levels and proper weight. If we compare that to the way we feed our spiritual bodies might we be in spiritual famine?
Jesus used only the Word of God to respond to Satan. When he was tempted, after forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus’ said, “Man shall not live on bread alone but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” -Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
Jesus’ spiritual body was strong because He knew Scripture.
Think about how often we feed our spiritual bodies. How about our spiritual muscles? What can we do to develop them so that we are strong enough to do battle when the battles come?
How do we begin a training program?
One way we can train is by studying and using the Word of God in its right context.
The Bible is not a one time only read it is a lifetime commitment that every Christian should invest in on a daily basis.
If you are new to the Bible get to know Jesus first with the four eyewitness accounts in the New Testament Gospels (Matthew-Mark-Luke-John), and then book of Acts that covers the journeys of the first followers of Jesus. Then go back to the beginning and read the Old Testament with a look out for Jesus’ coming as the reason for every story and event that runs through all 39 books, Genesis to Malachi, leading up to the Advent of Messiah. Commit to a lifetime of Bible reading and study as you continue through the New Testament and back to the Old again and again. You will be in awe at the new things you learn each time!
Going Deeper:
Here are a few book recommendations (very easy reads) that can help you with your studies:
“The Essential Bible Companion,” by John H, Walton, Mark L. Strauss and Ted Cooper Jr.
“Knowing the Bible 101, A Guide to God’s Word in Plain Language,” by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
“How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth,” by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart
Reflection:
- What are the things that are keeping you from Bible study (or spending more time with God’s Word)?
- What are some questions you have about Bible study or the Bible itself that you would like to explore?
- Write out a plan that will help you improve your Bible study skills. Include a set time for daily reading and a plan to study with others. (If you are already doing this is there any area for improvement?) Pray about your plan.
Bible Study:
Each week we will do a study in the book of Romans to practice our Bible study skills. This week read (or re-read) Romans chapter 3, then answer the following questions:
- It was common practice for Rabbis to ask questions as part of their teaching. Paul does this a lot throughout the book of Romans. Paul asks a series of questions in 3:1-9 to help us to understand the point of the Law. Summarize the answer found in 3:10-20 (the key is in verse 20).
- Why do we need to obtain righteousness? (3:21-23) Copy 3:23 as a memory verse.
- How has God justified us? (3:24-26)
- Are we saved (justified), by works or by faith? (3:27-31)
- What good is the Law, or what purpose does it hold for Christians then?
Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Christianity”
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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