Bible reading tip #8 Let it challenge your view of God

Posted on May 8, 2015May 8, 2016 by Matthew Laker

The bible reveals who God is.

Growing up there was a little saying that went like this, “The bible is, “Basic Instructions before leaving earth.”” Now there are a number of things wrong with that saying as well as a few good things. However, it shaped my view of the scripture, and in a way closed me a little to its power.

One negative was in viewing the bible as a means to know how to act. It definitely does reveal a lifestyle for God’s people, but what is the motivation? At times, I would read the bible to know how to act. Then ever so slightly I began to believe that God will accept me if I act a certain way.

However, the gospel is about a God who loved me before I was a following him. The gospel calls us to holiness, but only after Jesus has my heart. The gospel reveals that my motivation for living a holy life does not come out of the need to be accepted. Jesus is already there. It comes out of who God is, what he has done and who I am in Christ. By the way, fulfillment in Christ deals with our need for acceptance.

What if as you read scripture you change the lens a little? What if it has less to do about how you should act, and points us to what to believe and how to think? For example, I obey because of who Jesus is, and not in order to be accepted.

Please hear me, I believe there is a lifestyle that Jesus calls us to. We cannot just go live how we want. I do believe that to follow Jesus means one limits his or her life. Then, in this limitation a wholeness is experienced, or we are on the way to experiencing it. The scriptures do reveal a lifestyle that is expected of a child of God. For example, one aspect is living a generous life. However, the motive is based on who God is and who I am in him. Often one is not living the gospel life because there is something they are not believing to be true about Jesus.

As you read the scriptures, let it challenge you about who you believe God is? What if you let scripture challenge how you think? Our actions come out of what we believe.

Jesus said to a group, “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside all will be clean” (Matthew 23:26).

There is a sense here that this group of Pharisees’ motivation was all wrong. There was a wrong belief which resulted in destructive behaviour. There was a wrong understanding of who God was and the life he was calling them to.

What if the scriptures are directing us on how to think? How we think or what we believe will drive how we act. We will not see the fruit Jesus speaks about if our thinking or belief does not align with who he is and who we are in him.

Therefore, as you are reading the bible, ask these questions:

How is this passage challenging my belief about who God is?

If this is true about God, then how does this direct how I live? What is my motivation for that?

Bible Reading Tip #7 – Help with application in the Old Testament

Posted on May 1, 2015April 26, 2015 by Matthew Laker

For some, the Old Testament seems scary. As you read through the Old Testament, you may find it difficult at times to apply the text.

This week’s Bible reading tip is more of a question to ask?

It comes from Peter Enns “NIV Application Commentary on Exodus”

“What is the connection between the meaning of a text in its original setting and the effect of the resurrection of Christ has on our understanding of that meaning? (p.22)”

As a Jesus followers we use those two paths to help understand the Old Testament passages.

Two steps outlined

1. First we allow the text to speak for itself

Based on the surrounding text and movement of thought found in the words, we seek to understand what is being said. There may be small exceptions, but generally the text will reveal enough for us to get the big picture.

Questions to ask:

What is the text revealing about God?

What is the text sharing about who the people of God are or what God is calling the people to?

The starting point starts with the text itself, not our circumstances.

2. In light of the resurrection of Jesus, what changes?

How does the gospel inform our understanding of the story in the Old Testament?

An example would be found in the Old Testament, the temple. The place people go to meet with God. The gospel reveals that, Jesus is now the temple, a better way to meet God the Father.

Romans 15:4 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Don’t be afraid of the Old Testament, but following the example of the apostles reflect upon it through the lens of Christ/gospel.

Bible Reading Tip #6 Translation Help

Posted on April 17, 2015April 14, 2015 by Matthew Laker

What is the best bible translation to use?

This is a question that often comes up as people study the bible.

I remember the first time I realized that Jesus probably did not speak to the disciples in the same language in which they wrote the letters of the New Testament. Translation was already taking place, but I believe guided by the Holy Spirit. It was not as cut and dry as perhaps I once thought.

Translating from one language to another is not easy work.

Ken Schenck, Dean and Professor of New Testament at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University, writes:

“There is no one correct translation from one language to another. Look at an interlinear. The word order is different from one language to another. The possible range of meanings for words and phrases from one language to another is different, meaning that all translation involves interpretation. You should use multiple translations to get a better sense of the possible meanings and issues of the original. Fallacies: words do not have just one meaning (one meaning fallacy) or one core meaning that plays itself out in every instance of the word (lexical fallacy).” (http://kenschenck.blogspot.ca/2015/01/biblical-paradigm-shifts-1.html)

There is great challenge in translation, but not enough challenge we can’t understand it. We do need to have some grace for the challenge of translation.

I can only speak English, but my French speaking friends have informed me the difference in words used as one translates. For example, on products people are selling or printed material handed out by the city. In translating, one wants to point in the same direction, but one cannot translate word for word from one language to another.

Canadian Bible Society Translation Director, Hart Wiens, gives some pointers as well:

He writes:

“ No one translation that is perfect or best for everyone…”

“As one who has spent my life working in Bible translation I know how often it is impossible to find one way to render the rich and varied message of a Hebrew or Greek text in the Bible. For my own study and meditation, I enjoy reading the Bible in a variety of versions because I find that each one helps to bring the message to light and make it sparkle.”

The best bible translation is the one you pick up. Some will have more of a word for word (this is actually impossible given how translations work; . however some translations do their best.). Some translations are more of a thought for thought, while others paraphrase. I believe each translation has its place.

I grew up using the NIV and still often use that version even today. However, to be honest, that has more to do with tradition than anything else. I do find myself reading other translations in order to gain a better perspective on the bible.

As I close, this may be of interest to you. A quick guide to bible translations from the Canadian Bible Society in their magazine, “Word at Work” winter 2010 edition – http://www.biblesociety.ca/sites/default/files/WAW_Winter2010.pdf

Bible Reading Tip#5 : Audio bible

Posted on April 10, 2015March 30, 2015 by Matthew Laker

Have you ever considered using an audio bible to improve your bible engagement?

This week’s bible reading tip is to consider using audio bibles to help you engage the scriptures in a fresh way. This is not a reading tip, but rather an engagement tip.

I remember one small community I lived in, a number of churches got together to read through the whole of scripture. People signed up to read sections and not everyone was there all the time. As I sat and listened to the scripture being read, it seemed fresh. I also imagined this was as close as we could get to when the letters where first received. Not everyone could read and so the letter was read to the community. Today we have the blessing of being able to have someone read to us whenever we want. We can find many places online that have MP3’s of different scripture passages.

Check out a few here:

Consider using audio bibles to help you engage the scriptures in a fresh way.

If you want to freshen up or kick start your bible reading, then audio bibles are a great option in your bible reading.

Read Here: 6 ways using an audio bible can help you engage scripture.

What has been your experience with audio bible reading? Have you found better ones than others?

6 Ways Audio Bible can help

Posted on April 3, 2015March 30, 2015 by Matthew Laker

The Wall Street Journal reported that some initial research points out that audio books are more “emotionally engaging than silent reading, particularly for men,” says Guy Story, Audible’s Chief Scientist.”

That may or may not be true for you. However, audio bibles can be a great way to help you engage scripture more.

6 ways using an audio bible can help you engage scripture:

1. Great way to first begin.

If you are new to the bible this can be a great way to start. It can even help with some of those crazy names you will read. Are you new to the bible, or know someone who is? Consider starting with an audio bible.

2. You’re not a reader

Many people just do not crack open books. This may be a great way to help “crack open” the bible.

3. Listen while you do other tasks

You could listen to scripture while you walk, have your morning coffee, do the dishes, or on the bus as you go to work. The more you hear the word in an active listening role, it will make an impact in your life.

4. Great for Auditory learners.

An auditory learner depends on hearing and speaking as their strongest way of learning. Some where I read that auditory learners make up about 30% of the population (I could be wrong though, so please let me know). If this is you, audio bibles can be a great tool. You can also listen when you cannot see. For example, you could try right before bed with the lights off. If you fall asleep, that is ok.

5. Hear it again with fresh ears

Listening to someone read the bible can allow us to hear things we may not otherwise hear. Perhaps the Book of Proverbs may be the hardest to listen through; however, many of the publishers are getting professional story tellers to read. Perhaps there are more, but my sixth way audio bibles can help you engage scripture more is:

6. Combine it

Listen to the bible while you read along. Take these two learning styles and work to get the best out of both of them.

Generally, for most of us the audio bible will not take us away from physically reading the bible, but it may for some.

If you want to freshen up or kick start your bible reading, then an audio bible is a great option in your bible reading.

What has been your experience with audio bible reading? Have you found better ones than others?