Studying the Word

I have recently been struck by two vastly different ways of studying the Bible, and have come to the conclusion that the majority of Christians have been taught to simplify (albeit unintentional for the most part) their interpretative skills when delving into the Scriptures. It is apparent that the passage of time has allowed many man-made traditions to steep our practices of exegesis, and the result seems to have “dumbed-down” the masses. Let me explain.

It is an obvious thing that as Christians we are to read the Bible – daily, preferred – in order to receive spiritual nutrition to strengthen us as we grow up in the Lord and in His ways. No fundamental Christian would dispute this. However, when one reads the Scriptures, it is paramount to see and hear all that the Lord is saying through the printed words. And I believe this is one area where the Church at large has gone awry.

The Bible is a living Thing, for in it and through it the Spirit works. The Spirit of God is God’s very breath, and the Spirit moved the men of old (all of them, from the author of Genesis to the author of Revelation) to pen the words that they did. The original writings are Spirit-guided, Spirit-laden – the very Spirit of God. The Bible is alone in this category, for no other book can lay this claim. Therefore, as we partake of this printed word, we are breathing in the very Spirit of God, which is the Breath of God, which is the Word of God, which is Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible is our sustenance.

However, as was said elsewhere on this site, the English translation of these individual books contains some inadequacies, for the process of many men’s involvement in the translating has contributed to some slants of opinion when choosing accurate English words to describe certain Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic words and phrases. Because this is so, we are to diligently read the Scriptures as a whole and compare each book with the Whole of the Book, as well as compare each book with each other book. We are to study individual words, phrases, contexts, and such with this idea in mind; through this process the Spirit of God will lead us into all Truth… using the Word Itself. That is why we must study.

But what I have seen concerning this process has led me to believe that many Christians forget this, or they simply don’t put the preeminence on the Book that it should hold. If indeed we believe the above paragraph to be true, we would in no wise take lightly even the smallest of words, or breeze over even the most troubling of historical accounts, and would be most cautious to not dismiss every angle of every verse presented. In this paramount task, we would perhaps be overwhelmed (which is why, possibly, many become lazy and complacent in this duty). But what else are we to follow if we cannot put first and foremost in our daily lives the very Living Word of God? Do many perchance find their current copy of People magazine or the latest fiction best-seller to be more worthy of their time? Or, what I believe to be the case, have the masses of Christians simply traded in their scholarly fortitude for the more easily attained moral generalities, such as can be found from any ethicist or philanthropist, regardless of their theological basis? I fear the latter is the case.

Take, for example, the story of the Rich Young Ruler as found in Matthew 19:16-30. The story, in short, is about a man who approaches Jesus with a question. He asks what “good thing” he must to “obtain eternal life.” The interchange between these two centers around two things: obeying God’s commandments and the giving away of all of the young man’s material goods to get that which he seeks. In the end, the young man finds himself unable to do what is required of him, and so Jesus speaks to his disciples about this unfortunate, and life-altering, decision.

Now, keeping in mind what I have stated thus far, the majority of Christians have been taught to view this story much like they would view an Aesop’s Fable. They would generalize the account and attempt to find its moral directive. Perhaps one would come away with the idea that “It is better to give then to receive,” or “Following Jesus is never easy,” or “A person’s heart-attitude is always foremost, not the deeds,” or even “Money isn’t the problem; it’s the priority of money that is the problem.” While the above statements are most certainly true, and certainly biblical – true exegesis of the account – it is not the primary emphasis of the story. And to leave the account of the Rich Young Ruler with only the above truths would be negligence to the Spirit of Truth that recorded it.

Again read the story of the Rich Young Ruler as found in Matthew 19:16-30. The question that this young man asks the Messiah is crucial, for the entire interchange rests on its answer. While reading the story, one should ask, Why is he asking this question? Is this young man already saved? Why does Jesus answer him solemnly and earnestly with a list of things to do? Notice the equating of certain terms within the story – obtaining “eternal life” appears to be synonymous with “entering into life,” being “complete,” “entering the kingdom of heaven/God,” and being “saved.” Because of this one should ask themselves whether they truly understand each term used, and whether one’s current understanding holds each term as equal in definition as Jesus does. In conclusion of Jesus’ statement to his disciples, He makes certain reference to a reward given to those who follow Him, a reward to be given when the Son of Man returns. Are these not the pertinent details of the story? Should we not pay much closer attention to every word that Messiah speaks, and seek to know the meaning of them? I ask this in all earnestness.

The Word of God is alive, being the essence and breath of God Himself. If we so carelessly approach it with nothing more than the desire to hear a neat little moral package then I fear that we are sincerely in danger of remaining lukewarm as a whole, and dubiously equipped to meet our Judge and King when He returns.