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How to Study the Bible In the
Beginning Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for 1instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be fully qualified, and fully furnished unto every good work.2—2 Timothy 3:16-17, RVIC We should study our Bibles to correct our characters and to direct our Christian activities. Study which is not applied is worse than a waste of time. Hence, the first article is Bible Study with a Purpose. To understand Scripture there are six approaches to study. The three concerning studentship are: w What does the Scripture say? w How does the Scripture fit what is said before and after? w What do related Scriptures say? The three concerning scholarship are: w Do history, archaeology, or science help? w Do high-quality ancient manuscripts give a better text than the KJV? w Is there a better translation of the Hebrew or Greek? Only a minority of Scriptures are significantly influenced by scholarship, so the more important approach is usually studentship (which is appropriate to all Scriptures). These elements of Bible study, and how to use them, are addressed in the next five articles: Text and Context, The Use of Cross-References, History and Science, Benefitting from the Ancient Manuscripts, and When Better Translation Helps. In these articles many different texts come in for special scrutiny, although not all should be changed, and no one theology is the beneficiary of all corrections. By context, 2 Peter has each world made up of a heavens and an earth, but planet Earth will remain to host a new world. “Adoption” is explained by cross-reference to Galatians. More than a hundred English-language Old and New Testament translations are compared for accuracy on pages 25-27. (See also the Sept./Oct. 1996 The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom, “How To Choose a Bible Translation.”) Using Concordances and Lexicons, identifies good Bible study helps and how to use them. Finally, the most important aspect of Bible study is addressed in Putting Study into Practice. The rest is up to the reader.
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