Understanding the Bible

For the readers of the bible, and they that are followers (doers) of what the scriptures expounds as the way of life, it must be an experience that many views and diverse understandings to various portions of the scriptures is prevalent amongst the Christendom community.

A perfect example is the difference in belief on the nature of Jesus Christ (whether he is fully God or another creature, the first of all creation) due to the wordings of the world's famous verse of John 3: 16. In this verse, the bible says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." To many Christians, this verse explicitly explains that Jesus is God because He is the Son of God, but to Jehovah Witnesses Christians, Christ is seen to be the first begotten creation (son) of God.

The above and many others have been interpreted differently by bible readers, some depending on individual convictions whereas other due to convictions of the preachers, pastors and bible scholars that led them to appreciating the bible and texts they read; while others, and probably the majority, will understand a given text of scripture due to selfish (personal) interest.

It is my aim to state here some five basic broad ways I would like to advice all bible readers as universal principles of understanding the bible as a book rather than a collection of books, with assumption that the reader already accepts the bible as the word of God.

First, there is the perspective of the bible being an historical book, explaining both the past dealings of the people of the ancient nation of Israel, the nature and culture of its government, and the role they played and were to play in the world's economy and culture. The bible especially the Old Testament should be read with understanding of what particular interest God had to the children of Israel and the reasons for the actions recorded for them or against them.

It is of importance also to know how the emergence of Christianity is connected to the nation of Israel. What work did the people called Christians share in common with the Israelites and why they were preferred flock after Jesus had come on earth. This will lead to understanding of the letters written by the apostles to the Christians of the first century.

Most important aspect of understanding the theme of the bible is to read it in light of the great controversy being fought between God and Satan, the reason for the controversy and how both sides are planning to win the war. What mechanisms does Satan want to apply in swindling the human beings in believing that God is wrong and what measures has God put in place to counter the schemes of Satan.

Then when it comes to reading the particular portion of the scripture, it is necessary to understand the background of that particular writing. Dangerous is it to pick a verse and read it, interpreting it out of context, and believing it to be what it seems to say before understanding the broad picture of its contextual writing. For example, it would be necessary to understand about the Christ as a person before rushing to John 3: 16 and make unnecessary conclusions. It would be prudent to read and analyze every section of scripture, and if possible, other canons of history that speak of Christ before applying and interpretation of His person based on a single verse(s).

Finally, avoiding forced application of what we think or been told to believe of a subject to a section of scripture that is found to sound as if it has some say to the subject. It would be wise not to think of Christ as the subject of Proverbs 8 because the chapter deals with wisdom rather than Christ. It would also be prudent not to apply the prophesies of Ezekiel 38 and 39 to modern world because there are no portions of that prophecy that suggests such an application. Have a good reading of your bible.