Key Thought: Interpreters of the Bible cannot completely divest themselves from their own past, experiences, and preconceived notions and opinions. But the Holy Spirit can open up and correct our limited perspectives and presuppositions when we read with an open mind and honest heart. May 9, 2020 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 24:36-45.. Ask … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 24:36-45. What prevented the disciples, who were very familiar with Scripture, from seeing the true meaning of the Word of God, even when events predicted in it had unfolded before them? No one comes to the text of Scripture with a blank mind. Every reader, every student of Scripture, comes to the Bible with … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 24:36-45; 1 Cor. 12:10, 1 Cor. 14:26; Acts 17:16-32; John 12:42-43. Memory Text: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV). To read the Bible also means … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: In the chapter on Biblical Interpretation in the Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology, read the sections on The Analogy of Scripture: “Scripture Is Its Own Interpreter”, The Consistency of Scripture, and The Clarity of Scripture, pages 64-66. Read chapter 20, “Bible Teaching and Study”, in the book Education, pages 185-192; “The Primacy of the Word” in Selected Messages, book … Continue reading –>
Study Bibles for the most part can be a huge blessing. However as a young Bible worker back in the 1990’s I found them to be very challenging. Numerous times I would begin Bible studies with someone who knew very little about the Bible. They would run out to a bookstore in the community and … Continue reading –>
Read Isaiah 8:20. Why is it always important to refer back to the biblical “law and testimony” as the norms for our teaching and doctrine? What does this mean for the ministry of prophets who have not become part of the biblical canon? When we talk about sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Seventh-day Adventists are inevitably confronted with the … Continue reading –>
Only because there is an underlying unity of Scripture can the Bible function as its own interpreter. Without such unity, Scripture could not be the light that reveals its own meaning, where one portion of Scripture interprets other portions and thus becomes the key to understanding related passages. Read Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44-45. How does Jesus refer … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Sola Scripture implies fundamental principles of Biblical interpretation for a proper understanding of God’s Word. As Protestants, we maintain the Bible as the ultimate doctrinal authority. May 2, 2020 1. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 4:8-12. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. … Continue reading –>
Any appeal to Scripture alone makes little sense if the text of the Bible is unclear in its meaning. Read Matthew 21:42; Matthew 12:3, Matthew 12:5; Matthew 19:4; Matthew 22:31; Mark 12:10, Mark 12:26; Luke 6:3; Matthew 24:15; and Mark 13:14. What does Jesus’ repeated referral to Scripture imply regarding the clarity of its message? The biblical testimony is unambiguous: the Bible is sufficiently clear … Continue reading –>
The Bible and the Bible only. What do you think of the statement in this week’s lesson guide that as “Protestants, we must maintain the Bible as the ultimate doctrinal authority.” Of course this is a reassuring creed for our church to follow: The Bible and the Bible alone. Should we work to bring fellow … Continue reading –>
