As we are studying this week about how to deal with difficult texts I think one solution is to allow for the possibility that God was using what we call a “figure of speech,” which is when a word or phrase is used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect. Maybe even allow … Continue reading –>
Factory Turned Into School By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission A prosperous Seventh-day Adventist businessman wondered how his wealth could be used to improve his hometown, Tiachiv, in western Ukraine. He bought several thousand copies of Ellen White’s Steps to Christ and distributed them to every home in the town of 9,000 people. Then he did … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “What to Do With Doubt?” pages 105-113 in Steps to Christ. Read section 8 in the Document “Methods of Bible Study”, which can be found at www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/bible-interpretation-hermeneutics/methods-bible-study. In the Bible are many mysteries that finite human beings find difficult to comprehend and that are too deep for us to explain fully. … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 17:11, Acts 8:35, and Acts 15:15-16. What did the apostles and members of the early church do when they were confronted with difficult questions? Why is Scripture still the best source for its own interpretation? The best solution to Bible difficulties is still found in the Bible itself. Bible problems are best dealt … Continue reading –>
I have published a couple of posts recently giving accounts of the history of the Bible and its translation, particularly for the English language. You can follow these links to read them if you wish: A Short History of the King James Version Transmission and Translation of the English Bible I purposely left out the … Continue reading –>
The South Pacific Division (SPD) has produced a series of videos about the lesson studies this quarter. The speaker is Dr Kayle de Waal, a theology lecturer at Avondale University College. Week 12_ study this lesson for June 20 from SPD Discipleship on Vimeo. (1)
Continue reading -->Read Galatians 6:9. While Paul speaks here about our persistence in doing good to others, the same attitude is necessary when we deal with difficult questions. Why are determination and patience important in solving problems? Real achievement always requires tenacity. What we obtain too easily we often esteem too lightly. The difficulties in the Bible … Continue reading –>
Here are just two theme hymns, the first being Hymn 272 – Give Me the Bible, followed by Hymn 277 – For Your Holy Book We Thank You. Thank you to the ladies who messaged in and suggested that we could also add the song Ancient Words – if you have the Copyright (CCLI) available for your church or group. Our salvation is … Continue reading –>
Apparent contradictions—possible reasons. Have you ever heard someone say, “The Bible. Oh, it’s hard to understand.” What about errors, mistakes, confusion? What are some reasons for errors or apparent errors in the Bible? If errors are present because the Bible is a book written by and for human beings, how are you and I as fellow … Continue reading –>
Read James 4:6-10 ; 2 Chronicles 7:14 ; and Zephaniah 3:12 . Why is humility important when we try to tackle difficult passages in Scripture? Many people have come to the amazing realization and humbling insight that they are dependent upon something and someone outside of themselves. They have realized that they are not the … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Peter writes that some things Paul wrote were hard to understand. These words are twisted or distorted by ignorant or unstable people to their own destruction. June 20, 2020 1. Have a volunteer read James 4:6-10. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. … Continue reading –>
Have you ever had the experience of coming across a text or set of texts that you didn’t understand, or found difficult to harmonize with other texts or reality in general? It’s hard to imagine that at some time or another you haven’t faced this problem. The question is, How did you respond? Or, even … Continue reading –>
