Category Archives: Bible

It’s not your father’s Bible…

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There was a time when I basically had one Bible that I used all of the time. It was a New International Version that had been given to me by some friends in California (whose pet dog had chewed up the Bible I received for high school graduation). I would always have the Bible with me and would use it for devotional reading, personal study, class preparation, as well as teaching and preaching.

Those days are gone. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’ve embarrassed myself at times by arriving somewhere to teach class or to preach and discovered that I didn’t bring a Bible with me! I no longer have a trusty, go-with-me-everywhere Bible.

Here are the main ways I read the Bible now:

  • Accordance: I use the Accordance program on my Mac for most of my work in preparing classes and studies. In the basic setup, I have 5 versions open side by side: New International Version, Dios Habla Hoy, King James Version (with Strong’s), English Standard Version, Reina-Valera 1960.
  • Bilingual New International Version-Nueva Versión Internacional: A friend in Stockdale, Texas, gave me this Bible. I use it for preaching on Sundays. There are copies of this same Bible available to those in attendance, and I can refer to passages by page number as well as chapter and verse.
  • BibleGateway.com: I use this site at times for a quick lookup of a passage. I also use it to print out the main text for my sermons. (Larger font works well for my middle-aged eyes)
  • PocketSword: I use this Bible app on the iPod when I’m teaching class at ACU. I often don’t have a convenient way to carry a full text, and this electronic version works well. Plus it’s easier for me to read without glasses. (Funny how that is becoming a recurrent theme in my choice of Bibles)
  • NIV Study Bible: Even though I have the full text of this study Bible within the Accordance program, there are times when it is helpful to look at an actual book

How about you? Has your method of reading the Bible changed over the years? Has your Bible version of choice changed at all? Do you think the next generation will be reading the Bible in traditional book form or some other format?

The Bible and change

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We’ve been talking about what we would change about the Bible. I find it to be an interesting idea to think about. However, we know that things don’t work that way. We are in no place to make changes to God’s Word.

The very points at which we wish to make changes to God’s Word are the points in which we need to change.

We need to place ourselves under the Word. Rather than seeking to master the Bible, our task is to learn to be mastered by the Bible. We have to humble ourselves and seek to grow in understanding rather than trying to mold the Bible to our views.

It’s a lesson I need to be reminded of time and again.

Changing the Bible

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I was really impressed with the comments yesterday. I’m almost embarrassed to throw my thoughts into the mix, especially because they’re not nearly as spiritual as some of those made yesterday. Still, I started this, so I can’t really drop out now. So here goes:

  1. I’d smooth over some of the rough edges. You know, the killings, the slavery, things like that.
  2. I’d make sure that the narratives had clearly delineated morals. No ambiguity about who acted justly or whether or not what someone did was a sin. I’d spell it out.
  3. Along that line, I’d have a section of laws to satisfy those who think the Bible should be a rule book.
  4. I would also have a section of “catechism,” spelling out the correct position on major doctrinal issues (and minor ones that everyone treats as major issues)

There’s my remake of the Bible. Any other suggestions?

[Now before anyone gets upset, no, I’m not criticizing the Bible. Again, this is what I consider to be a thought exercise. Apologies if anyone is offended.]

How would you change the Bible?

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I doubt that there is anyone who is completely comfortable with everything the Bible says. Honestly, I have to say that if you are, you probably haven’t studied it enough.

For some it’s the ethnic cleansing passages in the Old Testament? You know, the ones where God commands the killing of every living being, in some cases even the animals.

For others, it’s a certain passage that supports a doctrine they aren’t comfortable with. I actually had some people get upset with me from reading one of the Psalms that talks about worshiping with instruments since our fellowship does not use instruments in worship.

For others, it may even be a command they don’t wish to follow or an outlook on life they wish wasn’t there. Visit the Conservative Bible Project for one group’s creative response to this problem. Don’t like what the Bible says? Change it!

Some would like more straightforward statements on controversial issues. Don’t make us wonder about whether or not Adam and Eve had navels… tell us straight out! End the discussions over predestination and trinitarianism and pacifism and…

What if that were possible? What if you were given the authority to make changes to the Bible? (No, you don’t need to quote the end of Revelation to me. This is merely a thought exercise.] In what ways would you change the Bible? If you were given the chance to design the perfect holy book, what would it look like?

Gutenberg’s legacy: Just me and my Bible

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The rise of the printing press corresponded with a decline in community Bible study. The change wasn’t immediate, but it was a major shift. For centuries, the Bible had been read and studied in groups. In fact, the Bible was originally written to be read aloud, which is why the phrase “hear the word of the Lord” is used so often. When we arrive to the latter part of the 20th century, a large part of Bible study is carried on by individuals in isolation from others.

When the Bible was read and discussed in a community setting, individual opinions were analyzed by the group. While this did not lead to complete consensus, it did keep many strange ideas in check. A certain amount of agreement would be expected, more than what occurs when each is studying on his own.

The proliferation of Bibles that followed the printing press was accompanied by a proliferation of diverse doctrines. One can only assume that community study would have prevented some of the divisions that later occurred. As one commenter observed, while we enjoy the freedoms we have as regards Bible study, we have to recognize the negative aspects of that freedom as well.