Bible Study - Best Practices
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Golden Rules
- Scripture interprets scripture.
- Any doctrine requires two witnesses, at the least.
- Seek scriptural harmony. It's real.
- Never go beyond what's written.
Silver Rules
- Understand biblical words: Study Vine’s/Strong’s for interlinear translations, etymologies, and apply exegesis. In most cases, a word is best defined by Scripture itself. Refer Golden Rule #1.
- Support any given doctrine with more than one Scripture. Refer Golden Rule #2.
- Refer to multiple translations: Since no Translation is perfect, compare the text using multiple types of translations to arrive at the correct understanding of a verse that harmonizes with the rest of the Bible. Refer Golden Rule #3. Translation types:
- Functional Equivalence – E.g. NIV.
- Formal Equivalence – E.g. NASB.
- Free Translation – E.g. The Message.
- Verify earliest available manuscripts to resolve supposedly contradictory verses. Refer Golden Rule #3.
- Avoid reading literal meanings into parables, allegories, and symbolic statements. If you treat a section as symbolic, be consistent and see everything there as symbolic. Avoid considering half of the things there as symbolic and half literal. Vice versa.
- Interpret parables, allegories or symbolic statements not by personal theories, but by using other Scriptures. Refer Golden Rule #1.
- On any given topic, direct statements from Scriptures take predominance over any interpretative Scriptures. Refer Golden Rule #4.
- Read and understand based on context: A text must be understood based on its micro and macro context.
- Treat an epistle as a letter or an email, to be read in one sitting.
- Bear in mind the foundational doctrines of Christianity as listed down in Hebrews 6:1-2 “The elementary teaching about the Christ... foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.”
