BIBLE 101: STARTING WITH SCrIPTURE

STARTING WITH SCRIPTURE

by Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem (joel@lordoflife.org)

Making sense of Scripture, understanding what’s happening

Bible 101 in any given biblical text, and listening for God’s voice through it all are difficult to do. If you’ve ever felt as though you’re in over your head when you read the Bible or you just don’t know where or how to start—do not despair. You are in very good company. Reading the Bible is not easy. It’s why reading the Bible is a spiritual discipline. As with any other discipline, it takes a high degree of dedication, a willingness to learn, and a deep commitment.

This brief article can’t cover all the aspects that go into reading the Bible, but I’d like to offer a couple ideas about helpful ways to start. First, it’s good to new revised standard version (nrsv):

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! know there are a lot of different Bible translations. The texts of the Bible were originally written in Hebrew (the Old Testament) and Greek (the New Testament). This means that for those of us not fluent in the ancient forms of those languages, we have to read translations.

Each translation has a different theological perspective. That’s not a bad thing; it’s just worth noting that every translation is biased because translators have to make thousands of decisions about how different words and concepts should be rendered in English. While we absolutely affirm that Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, it’s also important for us to be wise and aware about the very human decisions that go into bringing these

inspired words to us today.

Comparisons of 2 Corinthians 5:17 Translations

common english bible (ceb):

So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!

STARTING WITH SCRIPTURE

As far as translations go, the two I’d most highly recommend are the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the Common English Bible (CEB). The New International Version (NIV) is another solid translation. The New Living Translation (NLT) is very easy-to-read.

It’s also a good idea to have a good study Bible. The New Interpreters’ Study Bible and the CEB Study Bible are the two I would most highly recommend. Just remember: the study notes in any Bible are not the Bible itself. They are simply there to help the reader try to make sense of what they’re reading. And remember: all the study notes have a bias, too.

The books of the Bible were written by different authors in different locations over the course of thousands of years. There are details that don’t align

Comparisons of 2 Corinthians 5:17 Translations

new international version (niv):

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! well. There are contradictions. There are ancient ideas and genres that make little to no sense to us today. And that’s all okay. We can ask questions and wrestle with what we read. We can listen for God’s voice and pay attention to what resonates with us. And we stay in community, as we need others as conversation partners through it all.

One modest starting point is to receive the daily devotions in your email inbox (visit lordoflife.org/ hope to opt in) from Lord of Life each day. Each day has a Scripture passage and a related devotion. It’s one way to engage the Bible, hear a word of hope, and turn to your own Bible to read more about the context and larger story of each day’s verses. Yes, it takes discipline, but so do all of the other most rewarding and worthwhile things we do in our lives. Happy Bible reading in the new year!

new living translation (nlt):

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Online all translations: biblegateway.com Online devotion resource: luthersem.edu/godpause From the International Bible Society, listen free to the complete New International Version (NIV) Audio Bible (narrated by acclaimed actor Max McLean): biblica.com/resources/niv-audio-bible-listen-online-for-free