Why Study How To Study?
Recently I found myself ready for a new book and thought I'd try a different approach to selecting it. I am an elder at my church and, with that in mind, asked our Senior Pastor what he would recommend for me. I was mildly disappointed when he recommended I read something on hermeneutics - how to interpret the Bible. Not sure what I was hoping for, but this wasn't it. Felt like I was asking for an exciting adventure, and got told to go sit in a boring lecture hall for 6 months. Fighting for my freedom I explained that I had already read, "Knowing Scripture" by RC Sproul, and have been happily and properly studying the Bible for many years now. Didn't work.
He responded by saying that we can never stop learning in this area; that the interpretation of Scripture is so fundamental that, for the rest of our lives, we should be refreshing ourselves on the principles and practices of correct study. So, with no small feeling of guilt, I humbly purchased: "Protestant Biblical Interpretation", by Bernard Ramm. That sense of guilt propelled me deep into the first chapter as soon as it arrived... and no further. For the next 6 months it sat on my shelf, crying out silently, "You need me!" I got busy with other things.
A few weeks ago we were interviewing a man in our church who has been recommended as a future elder. He had taken the theological exam and we were zeroing in on a couple of sections - particularly the one on hermeneutics. This man actually has a deep passion for biblical interpretation, so the discussion was rich and though-provoking. And, even though I was sitting in a classroom 30 minutes from my home, I could hear Bernard Ramm calling out to me from beneath a growing layer of dust. What sealed the deal for me was when Jerry (aforementioned Senior Pastor) reiterated the vitality of sound hermeneutics. He said something to the effect of, "Correctly understanding God's Word is the most important thing we can do. It's the only thing that keeps our church from ultimate disaster."
Of course, such understanding is equally vital to every Christian. You may not ever teach a class, but your own life depends on correct interpretation. The Bible is essential to knowing who God is, who we are, what He expects of us, how He feels about us, and what He has done for us. That puts a premium on getting it right. Unfortunately, we are by nature far more prone to getting it wrong. We love shortcuts and hearing God speak clearly in His own words requires we take the long route. There are many reasons given for avoiding this type of learning, but as Sproul says, the primary one is that we are lazy. I've been lazy for the last 6 months, and it's time to put my work boots on.
I'm thinking that what will follow is a few posts that highlight some of what I'm gleaning from the book. Hopefully it inspires you to dig in and do the same.
He responded by saying that we can never stop learning in this area; that the interpretation of Scripture is so fundamental that, for the rest of our lives, we should be refreshing ourselves on the principles and practices of correct study. So, with no small feeling of guilt, I humbly purchased: "Protestant Biblical Interpretation", by Bernard Ramm. That sense of guilt propelled me deep into the first chapter as soon as it arrived... and no further. For the next 6 months it sat on my shelf, crying out silently, "You need me!" I got busy with other things.A few weeks ago we were interviewing a man in our church who has been recommended as a future elder. He had taken the theological exam and we were zeroing in on a couple of sections - particularly the one on hermeneutics. This man actually has a deep passion for biblical interpretation, so the discussion was rich and though-provoking. And, even though I was sitting in a classroom 30 minutes from my home, I could hear Bernard Ramm calling out to me from beneath a growing layer of dust. What sealed the deal for me was when Jerry (aforementioned Senior Pastor) reiterated the vitality of sound hermeneutics. He said something to the effect of, "Correctly understanding God's Word is the most important thing we can do. It's the only thing that keeps our church from ultimate disaster."
Of course, such understanding is equally vital to every Christian. You may not ever teach a class, but your own life depends on correct interpretation. The Bible is essential to knowing who God is, who we are, what He expects of us, how He feels about us, and what He has done for us. That puts a premium on getting it right. Unfortunately, we are by nature far more prone to getting it wrong. We love shortcuts and hearing God speak clearly in His own words requires we take the long route. There are many reasons given for avoiding this type of learning, but as Sproul says, the primary one is that we are lazy. I've been lazy for the last 6 months, and it's time to put my work boots on.
I'm thinking that what will follow is a few posts that highlight some of what I'm gleaning from the book. Hopefully it inspires you to dig in and do the same.
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