How To Study Your Bible – Richard F. Ames thebiblesaysthat.com

Arguably the Bible is the most important book ever written. Within its pages is the meaning and purpose of life, principles for true success, fulfillment, happiness, and health. It explains why our world is in such confusion and danger and reveals the very plan of God. Daniel Webster, congressman and Secretary of State under Presidents Harrison, Tyler and Fillmore made the dire national warning “if we and our posterity neglect [the Bible’s] instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity”. What other book holds that kind of power? Though this nation’s neglect and fate may be out of our control our own understanding of the Bible is well within our grasp. This article provides practical principles to use in our approach to studying the Bible. The biggest takeaway is to view the Bible as a single and complete work. This leads one to use the Bible to interpret itself, vetting out topics and studying them in context. As is evident with so many subjects, like Law and Grace, when these steps are not taken, as Peter said, there “are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” (2 Peter 3:16)