Brief note on Inductive Bible Study

I recall listening to Andy Rooney comment on how the Bible didn’t make sense to him. He said something to the effect that he reads a chapter or two and then is confused and quits. Back when I was a kid I started to read the Bible, starting in Genesis and by the 5^th chapter I would put it down. My early experience I would have agreed with Mr. Rooney, who I think speaks to a lot of people’s experience. If you choose to read the King James Bible you will have to deal with old English from the time of Shakespeare as well with reading a book with 40 different writers over about a 2000 year old time span. Many of you have different native tongues and I am not familiar with your translations in your languages. I would think there have been translations that are up to date with your language.    

What I have discovered is the Bible can be understood and most people like Mr. Rooney like myself as a young man have only read parts of the Bible.  Mr. Rooney wrote that he had 20 bibles and 6 Korans.  I have access to 50 + bibles and I have read two translations of the Koran. I am reading the New Testament in Greek and I am reading the Old Testament for the 12^th time. My favorite translations are the NASB, NKJV, and the NIV. My search to understand the Bible has included professional training and a life time of loving reading theology and Biblical subjects.

For me the best way to study and read the Bible is from the inductive method of Bible study. The tools you will need are your eyes, an easy to read font and layout of the Bible. The Bible should be laid out where you can see clearly the paragraphs. You have six friends, who what, where, when, how and why. As you read let the context answer your questions. Read each book in its entirety. Some of your questions will be answered as you read other books of the Bible. Each book has its own theme and purpose. I would read the gospel of John first. John’s purpose is found in 20:30, 31.

Read the Bible as you would read any other book. The actual words are to be understood like any human language. There are symbolic meanings in the Bible, but you will see that in the context. Poetry in the Bible like the Psalms are structured to compare or contrast ideas and are all based on real experiences of the writers. The Bible records the weaknesses and ugliness that is found in human life without condoning it. It tells the truth of its heroes, and speaks to the human condition that is as fresh as today’s newspaper. Keep this in mind as you read. I cannot overstate this, but to understand and know the Bible you have to read it for yourself. Much like sitting on the couch, to become a walker you have to walk. There is no other way. If you can’t read, then listen to the Bible.  

As a child my grammar was bad. I am afraid I still have lots of room for improvement. Be aware of grammatical rules. There are sentences, paragraphs with main ideas and support sentences. As you go along look for the big ideas. In time you will be able to pick them out. As I follow the logic of the context, who, what, where, when, how and why unfold themselves.  The more you observe the easy will be you interpretation and application of the Bible.

Sherlock Holmes used the inductive method to solve crimes. It helped that the author of the mysteries made it all fit together, as good fiction should. But he gives a quote helpful to understanding the Bible, “You see, but you do not observe.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (Sherlock Holmes) A Scandal in Bohemia, 1892. Holmes, In this case he loses to the woman, Irene Adler but the principle is solid. Rooney and I saw the Bible and gave up. We need to observe the Bible and understand. The Bible helps us believe in a “God who is there and is not silent.” Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer informs us. Or our unbelief blinds us from what it says.

Amazing

Belief and unbelief are huge in understanding the Bible, but Holmes gives us another factor which we all can understand. Many of us when it comes to the Bible pull a quote or two but as to the rest of it, we are lazy. We don’t understand the Bible because we have not taken the time to dig into it and search it for its meaning and application. Proverbs 2 says, 4 “If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;  2:5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.” Nothing beats careful reading and study. If I told you there was 500,000 dollars of gold 10 feet under your garage and had proof of it you would find a way to dig for it. A lot of work but you would have an easier time in retirement. The work would be worth it. The treasures of the Bible would be worth it to discover a personal relationship with God, help in the times of trouble, and eternal life. There are other things like forgiveness, peace of mind, a blueprint for living, improved health and relationships. Aren’t these things worth it? The best little book on the Inductive Bible Study is written by Oletta Wald, The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study.