Helping ordinary people learn to study the Bible
If you participated in this year’s Bible reading challenge, and you’d like to enter the drawing to win the ESV Scripture Journals, New Testament, or a one-volume reader’s Bible—this is your last chance to fill out the form below. The winners will be selected and contacted tomorrow.
At the prodding of my co-blogger Ryan, I’ve recently been pondering the centuries-old practice of citing Bible verses to support theological statements (theological proof-texting). We’ve done our fair share of it on this blog. But perhaps you can help me further think this practice through.
Please read the excerpts below, and let me know (comments, contacts, or emails are fine): What is the difference in how they use the Scripture?
I’m not asking about the difference in theology; that will be clear enough. My question is one of methodology. How does one excerpt’s manner of using proof texts differ from another’s? I believe they do, in fact, differ. The question for us to consider is: How?
Excerpt #1:
The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature, [John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:20; Phil 2:6; Gal 4:4] with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; [Heb 2:14, 16-17; 4:15] being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. [Luke 1:27, 31, 35; Gal 4:4] So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. [Luke 1:35; Col 2:9; Rom 9:5; 1 Pet 3:18; 1 Tim 3:16] Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. [Rom 1:3-4; 1 Tim 2:5]Source VIII.II.
Excerpt #2:
Jesus’ opposers accused him of making himself equal to God. (John 5:18; 10:30-33) However, Jesus never claimed to be on the same level as Almighty God. He said: “The Father is greater than I am.”—John 14:28.
Source
Jesus’ early followers did not view him as being equal to Almighty God. For example, the apostle Paul wrote that after Jesus was resurrected, God “exalted him [Jesus] to a superior position.” Obviously, Paul did not believe that Jesus was Almighty God. Otherwise, how could God exalt Jesus to a superior position? —Philippians 2:9.
Excerpt #3:
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'”
Source
Excerpt #4:
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
Source
You’ll see that excerpts 1 and 2 form a pair, and excerpts 3 and 4 form a pair. Each excerpt makes a point and uses one or more Bible verses to support that point. Each pair uses the same Bible to make contradictory points.
But I ask: What is different about about how the quoter in each pair uses the Scripture? How is their methodology for proof-texting distinct from one another?
If we’re not careful with our methodology for proof-texting, we run the risk of using the Bible to serve our own ideas, rather than conforming our ideas to those of the Bible. Or, as I believe English preacher Dick Lucas has said, we use the Bible the way a drunk uses a lamppost: more for support than illumination.
Can we identify a methodology for proof-texting that assists conformity of our ideas to the text rather than conformity of the text to our ideas?
Justin Taylor recently shared the video below on his blog, with the title: “If You Have Ever Been Tempted to Take Your Bible for Granted, Consider Watching This Video.” Very fitting.
Check it out:
Perhaps you’ve heard that God will never give you more than you can handle. That, when life turns against you and sin bares its fangs, you can get through it with enough courage and persevering faith.
Context matters. When we learn to read the Bible properly—and not merely as a collection of quotable quotes or inspirational sayings—we’ll find that some of our most familiar sayings aren’t actually in the Bible.
First, we should deal with the fact that the larger biblical witness clearly contradicts the statement that “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
Just ask Job, whose vexation at his condition was heavier than the sand of the sea (Job 6:2-3). He would prefer to be crushed than to have to handle his situation any longer (Job 6:8-9). He loathed his own life (Job 7:16) and wished God would lay off him long enough that he could swallow his spit (Job 7:19). And these things all come from only one of his speeches!
Just ask the psalmist (perhaps David), who also asks God to look away from him so he can smile again (Ps 39:13).
Just ask Jonah, who was so completely unable to handle what God gave him that he figuratively died from it (Jon 2:1-3), and later wished he could literally die (Jon 4:8-9).
The consistent biblical witness is that: God gives people more than they can handle so they will learn to trust that only he can handle it. The common aphorism that “God won’t give you more than you can handle” is triumphalistic nonsense that fails to account for the common human need for lament through deep suffering.
The phrase “God won’t give you more than you can handle” won’t show up in a Bible keyword search. Just try it. This mistaken sentiment typically arises from a superficial reading of 1 Cor 10:13, which warrants a closer look.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor 10:13)
This glorious verse sets up Paul’s chief command in this passage: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Cor 10:14). How did he get here?
In this section of the letter (beginning with 1 Cor 7:1), Paul answers a number of questions the Corinthians had asked him in a letter. In 1 Cor 8:1, he takes up the question of what to do with food sacrificed to idols—a major source of meat in the Corinthian market.
In chapter 8, he gives a preliminary answer that knowledge is important and helpful: There is only one God; therefore eating meat that was sacrificed to a non-existing entity doesn’t really matter. However, what’s even more important than true knowledge about the spiritual realm is love for other believers. If eating this meat might tempt someone back into worship of those idols, don’t do it. Therefore, we can restrict our liberty (due to mature knowledge) at times to serve others.
In chapter 9, Paul uses himself as a positive example. He restricts his liberty, his right, to get paid as a minister. He does this out of love, so he can preach the gospel to more people.
Then in chapter 10, Paul uses Israel’s wilderness generation as a negative example. They took their privileges and liberties for granted. As a result, they fell into idolatry and immorality, and God removed their right to life.
Paul’s point is simply: Liberty + selfishness = idolatry and death. But liberty + love = greater gospel impact on people’s lives.
In this context, he states that “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” In other words, don’t look down on the characters of Scripture as boneheads. You’re no different than they! You think you can eat meat sacrificed to an idol and not get sucked back into idolatry? You think you’re beyond this? You should remember you have the same inclination toward pride and self-trust as the ancient Israelites. And that temptation will lead nowhere good.
“God…will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.” He doesn’t say he won’t give you more than you can handle. He says that whatever temptation you face will always have an escape. The rock that is Christ still follows you through your wilderness, pronouncing blessing and spewing life. When you can’t handle your circumstances, don’t forget that he can.
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Context matters.
Thanks to Andrew J for the idea for this post.
For more examples of why context matters, click here.
Perhaps you just finished speed-reading the entire Bible. Or perhaps you’ve drifted from other New Year’s resolutions and you could use a fresh start to your Bible reading.
Matt Schneider has some great advice for you to consider.
Often people ask for God to speak to them, to give them signs, or to make himself known to them while ignoring regular Bible reading. This is unfortunate. If we want to hear from God, to know him more and more and to see his works in the world, we can do no better than regularly listening to him in Scripture for our entire lives.
Schneider then explains four approached people might take to develop the habit of daily Bible reading. The most important this is to do something. Perhaps one of these ideas can help you to refresh your vision and renew your practice.
Perhaps you’ve heard that this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 118:24)! But what makes today any more joyful than another day? And has God not made all the other days?
Context matters. When we learn to read the Bible properly—and not simply as fodder for tired slogans—we’ll find that some of our most familiar verses have a surprising power to change our lives.
I’ve written before on Psalm 118, where I analyzed the poem’s structure and flow of thought. I won’t repeat that material here, but will assume it and move directly to the verse in question.
Psalm 118:19 begins the victory parade for the returning, victorious king. He starts at the gates of Jerusalem (Ps 118:19), gathers a crowd (Ps 119:20), moves up toward the temple (Ps 118:26), and ends up inside the temple complex at the altar for burnt offering (Ps 118:27b).
It is during this homecoming parade—right where the celebration moves from the lips of the king (the singular “I” and “my” in Ps 118:19-21) to the responsive cries of the people (the plural “us” and “our” in Ps 118:23-27)—that the people proclaim God’s great joke. Their king, who had been rejected by the warring nations surrounding him (Ps 118:10-13), now takes his rightful place as the cornerstone of God’s world-building project.
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is Yahweh’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Ps 118:22-23)
It is at this moment that they beg God to save them (Ps 118:25) and offer a sacrifice to take their place (Ps 118:27).
This day—the day of salvation, the day of praise and thanksgiving for rescuing them through their rejected king, the day of lavish feasting—is the day Yahweh made (Ps 118:24). They have much reason to rejoice and be glad, for their God has had the last laugh against their enemies.
Yet another such day would come. The Jews sang Psalm 118 annually at the feast of the Passover, which explains why it was on their minds when Jesus rode through the gates of Jerusalem like a returning king (Matt 21:9). This also explains why this psalm was on Jesus’ mind when he went to inspect the temple (Mark 11:10-12).
There was a feast on, but these people couldn’t even recognize the one they were supposedly celebrating (Mark 14:1-2).
King Jesus rides through the gates and up to the temple, but he receives no blessing. He never binds the festal sacrifice to the horns of the altar (Ps 118:27); instead he reinterprets the sacrifice around himself and what he’s about to do (Luke 22:14-20). Then he becomes the sacrifice himself.
And this king is not rejected by the surrounding nations. He is rejected by his own people (Matt 26:63-66, John 1:11). And in this way salvation comes to the world (John 3:17, Rom 11:11-12).
“Save us, we pray, O Yahweh! O Yahweh, we pray, give us success!” (Ps 118:25).
Now this is something worth celebrating. This is the day the Lord has made. This is a day that can change your life. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Context matters.
Thanks to Elizabeth H for the idea for this post.
For more examples of why context matters, click here.
We’re in the final stretch of this year’s reading challenge. If you’ve taken up the challenge to read the entire Bible in 90 days, your deadline to finish is 90 days after your start date and not later than March 31, 2019.
For more information on the Bible reading challenge, including official rules, see the announcement.
We’ve had 13 entries so far, and a few completed the reading in 10-20 days. So it’s not impossible for you to still complete the challenge between now and the end of the month! And in completing this challenge, one person read the entire Bible for the first time!
When you finish, simply complete this Google Form to enter the drawing for a complete set of ESV New Testament Scripture Journals.
Perhaps you’ve seen the face paint or placard at an athletic event: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Sometimes the mere reference “Phil 4:13” is enough to inspire. Perhaps you’ve drawn on this verse to motivate your best efforts and deep confidence. But is that what Paul had in mind when he wrote it?
Context matters. When we learn to read the Bible properly—and not merely as a collection of proof-texts for personal inspiration—we’ll find that some of our most familiar verses speak to situations we hadn’t considered.
Phil 4:13 ends a paragraph where Paul expresses joy at how concerned the Philippian church has been for him. And their “concern” was expressed through financial support of his ministry (Phil 4:15-16, 18).
Paul rejoices at their concern for him, but he wants to make sure they know that he is not in grave need (Phil 4:11). His need is not great because he has learned to be content in whatever situation he finds himself. He knows how be brought low, and he knows how to abound. He can handle plenty and abundance. He can handle hunger and need (Phil 4:12).
In other words, in all circumstances, he has learned how to be content with his lot, and to make it last as long as it must. How can he do this?
Because the one who strengthens him enables him to do it. He can survive any and every situation without panicking or being anxious. So these are the “all things” he can do: plenty and hunger, abundance and need. He can do (live with) them all, for whatever he has is just enough.
We know from the historical context that the Philippian Christians were not wealthy people themselves. Their generous contributions to Paul were given as a test of affliction, despite their extreme poverty (2 Cor 8:1-2). Though they have expressed their “concern” for Paul by giving generously, Paul has his own concern: that they may have given even beyond their means (2 Cor 8:3). This gives him a great opportunity to spur on the wealthier Corinthians to greater generosity. But it leaves him in a tough spot with the Philippians.
Is it really in their best interests to continue giving to him when they have greater need than he does?
So it’s likely that one of Paul’s motives for writing to the Philippians was to ask them to stop giving! He makes his request in quite a roundabout way, so as not to communicate any lack of gratitude.
Paul wants the Philippians to know that, while he is tremendously grateful for their donations, he does not need them to keep giving for him to continue in ministry. In case they fear he’ll go bankrupt without them, he wants them to know that the Lord Jesus strengthens him to endure both plenty and need, making the most of his available resources.
Context matters.
Thanks to Alison and Daniel for the idea for this post.
For more examples of why context matters, click here.
In this brief video, Jen Wilkin answers the question: Isn’t Jesus enough? Can’t I love him without reading the Bible? Wilkin shows how the question sets up a false dichotomy and proposes an impossibility.
Nils Stahl (2019), public domain
Christian parents have a great privilege and a weighty responsibility. We must teach and show our children how to trust and follow Jesus. What an important calling! (And what a reminder of our need for God’s grace!)
Whether we do so well or poorly, we’re always discipling our children. This happens around the table, in the park, and on the way to school. And it certainly happens at the weekly corporate worship service.
How should we worship God? Why do we sing, or give, or celebrate communion, or pray? Why do we listen to someone talk for thirty minutes? These are natural questions for children to bring to their parents.
The sermon is probably the hardest part of a Christian worship service for young children. And because of this, the sermon is a big source of tension in families and stress for parents.
Here’s an encouragement to parents: Hang in there! Keep going! Your kids will grow and mature, despite all evidence to the contrary. And the approach you take to the sermon—even from a young age—really matters.
I’ve written before about how to help your children listen to the sermon. In that article I focused on what to do before, during, and after the sermon. In this post, I’ll provide a practical tool to use during the sermon.
If a church offers a nursery and parents decide that is the best option for their young children, that is great! Nursery workers at a church offer a vital and life-giving ministry. The rest of this article will address children who stay in the worship service.
As children move past board books and snacks to puzzles or drawing, parents can tie the activities into the sermon. Every little pointer can train children to listen and pay attention.
After a few more years, parents can encourage a mixture of coloring and note-taking. A thoughtful preacher or children’s ministry director might even provide activity sheets for children that incorporate the sermon’s Bible text.
When children are able to write on their own and listen for longer stretches of time, parents can teach them to take notes during the sermon. A note-taking sheet provides an activity while also training children to listen and record important truths.
As a father, I try to instruct my children in age-appropriate ways. Understanding their limitations is crucial, because demanding too much is a recipe for frustration all around.
I’m not expecting my children to understand the sermon completely. I don’t require adult-level processing of the information they hear. I’m not as concerned about the present as I am the future.
I want to develop good habits in my children. I hope they come to the sermon with eagerness and expectation. I pray they will give attention to the Bible and honor God as they attend corporate worship.
If my children hear and remember enough of the sermon that we can discuss it later, that is a victory. Even small snippets of truth can be great fodder for conversation.
Finally, I want my children to learn the practices of mind and body needed to worship God during the sermon. I want them to discern what is true to the Bible and to respond with joy and obedience. These are all learned behaviors that I’m praying my parenting efforts encourage.
Here is the document I created for my seven-year-old daughter. We have been using it weekly for several months. Since she cannot process the sermon quickly enough to take copious notes, her sermon sheet has space for both notes and drawings. For her, this mixture is great; she’s been engaged through the whole sermon since we started using these.
But I designed this document to be helpful for you. You can make a digital copy and edit it for your own situation. Create more space for drawing or note-taking, or add an element I omitted. Talk to your children and make adjustments as needed.
A few final notes about the document itself.
Consider this document a starting place; nothing is one-size-fits-all. But I hope this worksheet will encourage parents, grandparents, children’s ministry directors, and pastors to pray and help the young ones in their churches learn how to be attentive during the sermon.
