Comments on: Don’t Study the Bible http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/ Church Planting Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:00:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Anthony http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-629 Anthony Tue, 20 May 2008 13:09:26 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-629 But we must keep in mind that the Bible is an ancient document, several of thousands years old, and rooted in rhetorical situations and the socio-economic culture and perspectives of the day. I think that we must study the Bible to see what its authors are saying, in the context of their life and times, and thus apply it to our own lives. Not to say that the Bible is living and active, I totally agree! But we can't ignore the fact that the Bible is an ancient document and lots of scrutiny in the matters of historical, social, and cultural context should be given to it. I'm not embracing Higher Biblical Criticism, only that we should be smart when we approach it. But we must keep in mind that the Bible is an ancient document, several of thousands years old, and rooted in rhetorical situations and the socio-economic culture and perspectives of the day. I think that we must study the Bible to see what its authors are saying, in the context of their life and times, and thus apply it to our own lives. Not to say that the Bible is living and active, I totally agree! But we can’t ignore the fact that the Bible is an ancient document and lots of scrutiny in the matters of historical, social, and cultural context should be given to it. I’m not embracing Higher Biblical Criticism, only that we should be smart when we approach it.

]]> By: How to study the Bible « IMAGINE http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-600 How to study the Bible « IMAGINE Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:47:40 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-600 [...] Posts Don't Study the BibleJoshua Tree ClimbNOVA Church Plant - IMAGINE the VisionBe a Disciple; NOT a christian - part 1Be a [...] [...] Posts Don’t Study the BibleJoshua Tree ClimbNOVA Church Plant – IMAGINE the VisionBe a Disciple; NOT a christian – part 1Be a [...]

]]> By: ronklabunde http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-97 ronklabunde Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:23:21 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-97 Edna - I am glad to read that this has encouraged you. God is continuing to work this concept in my own life. Edna – I am glad to read that this has encouraged you. God is continuing to work this concept in my own life.

]]> By: Edna Sherwood http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-96 Edna Sherwood Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:11:47 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-96 I have been a Christian for many years and read the Bible daily, but never thought about it in the terms of letting the Bible study me. What an awesome concept! That's what I need to let it do for me. I have been a Christian for many years and read the Bible daily, but never thought about it in the terms of letting the Bible study me. What an awesome concept! That’s what I need to let it do for me.

]]> By: ronklabunde http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-78 ronklabunde Sun, 01 Jul 2007 09:09:28 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-78 Aaron - this is powerful man. I appreciate how you have brought applied knowledge back to love - the essence of all the commands of God. We have all heard the old saying - "Knowledge is Power". Not so true. The saying needs to be modified, "Applied Knowledge is Power". When we consider this from a Biblical perspective the power of the resurrection at work within us. Aaron – this is powerful man. I appreciate how you have brought applied knowledge back to love – the essence of all the commands of God.
We have all heard the old saying – “Knowledge is Power”. Not so true. The saying needs to be modified, “Applied Knowledge is Power”. When we consider this from a Biblical perspective the power of the resurrection at work within us.

]]> By: Aaron http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-75 Aaron Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:56:20 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-75 To be sure, knowledge is good,.. it is the culmination of facts and ideas that lets us know where we stand before God almighty. It comes from the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7), is nurtered through discipline ((Prov 12:1), is the stablizing companion to zeal (Prov 19:2), and is a kind of aroma, testifying to the Lordship of Christ (II Cor 2:14). Yet, without love, it only puffs us up (I Cor 8:1-3) and amounts to nothing (I Cor 13:2), and we can be decieved by false knowledge; empty chatter that results in a fruitless ministry, and eventually cult doctrines (I Tim 6:20-21). So what we gain by letting the Bible study us is not in conflict with knowledge, but is the fruit of true salvation --Love. Knowledge, though good, pails compared to Love. Love is what builds us up. It is what gives us hope in ministry, and hope for the world. It is what draws us to our Father, and to the human race he created. Love is what confirms our knowledge, and shows us how to act on it. Love never fails. Where there is knowledge, it will pass away (I Cor 13:8) "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love surpasses knowledge --that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:19) Allowing God's Word to disect us is the first step in learning how to truly love. To be sure, knowledge is good,.. it is the culmination of facts and ideas that lets us know where we stand before God almighty. It comes from the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7), is nurtered through discipline ((Prov 12:1), is the stablizing companion to zeal (Prov 19:2), and is a kind of aroma, testifying to the Lordship of Christ (II Cor 2:14). Yet, without love, it only puffs us up (I Cor 8:1-3) and amounts to nothing (I Cor 13:2), and we can be decieved by false knowledge; empty chatter that results in a fruitless ministry, and eventually cult doctrines (I Tim 6:20-21). So what we gain by letting the Bible study us is not in conflict with knowledge, but is the fruit of true salvation –Love. Knowledge, though good, pails compared to Love. Love is what builds us up. It is what gives us hope in ministry, and hope for the world. It is what draws us to our Father, and to the human race he created. Love is what confirms our knowledge, and shows us how to act on it. Love never fails. Where there is knowledge, it will pass away (I Cor 13:8) “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love surpasses knowledge –that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19) Allowing God’s Word to disect us is the first step in learning how to truly love.

]]> By: Lesley http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-73 Lesley Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:55:14 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-73 totally agree... I think that is what is lacking in churches (the institution). Instead of increasing our building size, activities, and programs, we should be increasing our heart capacity with Christ and showing his growing presence in us in our lives. totally agree… I think that is what is lacking in churches (the institution). Instead of increasing our building size, activities, and programs, we should be increasing our heart capacity with Christ and showing his growing presence in us in our lives.

]]> By: ronklabunde http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-72 ronklabunde Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:11:34 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-72 Good question. Shouldn't it be for the transformation of their lives. When I listen to someone preach or teach (this person in most cases has a seminary education), I want it coming from their heart - not that their knowledge isn't important, but knowledge needs to flow from a transformed heart. I also find that the Spirit of God is more active in my life when I am talking with someone who lives their message. They may possess new perspectives (knowledge), but this knowledge has almost no credibility without a transformed life. Perhaps the present seminary model needs to be overhauled in most Biblical institutions. Dare I say that most churches in America need this same overhauling. Good question. Shouldn’t it be for the transformation of their lives. When I listen to someone preach or teach (this person in most cases has a seminary education), I want it coming from their heart – not that their knowledge isn’t important, but knowledge needs to flow from a transformed heart. I also find that the Spirit of God is more active in my life when I am talking with someone who lives their message. They may possess new perspectives (knowledge), but this knowledge has almost no credibility without a transformed life. Perhaps the present seminary model needs to be overhauled in most Biblical institutions. Dare I say that most churches in America need this same overhauling.

]]> By: Lesley http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-71 Lesley Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:02:49 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-71 I do agree with what you are saying, but then what is the point of people going to seminary or schools that teach you about the Bible.. or church even? I do agree with what you are saying, but then what is the point of people going to seminary or schools that teach you about the Bible.. or church even?

]]> By: ronklabunde http://ronklabunde.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-68 ronklabunde Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:35:09 +0000 http://ronklabunde.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/dont-study-the-bible/#comment-68 Lesley, you ask, "If we don't study for knowledge, how do we know how God wants us to live and what He demands of us?" If we allow the Word of God to study us, then in the process, we will discover how God wants us to live. Studying for knowledge - usually produces knowledge with little life change - the image of a spiritually obese Christian. By letting the Word of God study us (as defined in this blog), not only do we get to know (or gain knowledge of) the master surgeon, but our true identity is restored, and living obedient to the master becomes natural. Why? Because we begin living in His image, which is how we are created to be and live in the first place. In short, studying for knowledge gives us knowledge. But by letting scripture study us, we are transformed into the image of our Creator through knowledge and obedience. Lesley, you ask, “If we don’t study for knowledge, how do we know how God wants us to live and what He demands of us?”

If we allow the Word of God to study us, then in the process, we will discover how God wants us to live. Studying for knowledge – usually produces knowledge with little life change – the image of a spiritually obese Christian. By letting the Word of God study us (as defined in this blog), not only do we get to know (or gain knowledge of) the master surgeon, but our true identity is restored, and living obedient to the master becomes natural. Why? Because we begin living in His image, which is how we are created to be and live in the first place.

In short, studying for knowledge gives us knowledge. But by letting scripture study us, we are transformed into the image of our Creator through knowledge and obedience.

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