2007-03-25 14:12:49 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Read it and go ask a pastor or priest(someone who studies theology).
2007-03-25 14:15:21 · answer #1 · answered by liker_of_minnesota 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What do you want to understand more?
Most of the bible is self explanaitory. Although some Christians claim you cannot understand it without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Quest study bible is a good bible - for the most part. They make the same errors about Jewish scriptures that a lot of Christian bibles do. But it is good from the aspect that it explains a lot of the history and traditions that may seem foreign to us now.
If you would like to understand the OT better - then look for books written by Jews. These are usually friendly reads - meaning that they explain things clearly and simply. Another book would be the Bedside Torah, which goes over Torah and gives three different perspectives on each part.
For the NT there are reams of books out there - from those that cover just the gospels, to the letters of Paul to the whole thing. I perfer a bible that has sidenotes to start off with first. It's simplier, you can read and learn while you go.
2007-03-25 21:21:18 · answer #2 · answered by noncrazed 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a Bible commentary of some kind, and a Bible dictionary. I'd stay away from study Bibles. Even The Bible for Dummies or The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible would have more information than one of those. Also, a parallel translation of two or more translations might be helpful.
2007-03-25 21:25:54 · answer #3 · answered by RabidBunyip 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you can -get a study bible. I recommend a couple:
NIV Study Bible (not the TNIV)
Ryrie Study Bible In NIV or NASB, (not KJV its too hard to read)
Also get a NLT (2004) in a cheap paper back for clarification if you get hung up on something. The NLT is very easy to read, but is not best for study. The Study Bibles have explanatory notes at the bottom of the page that are a great help. Read slow, don't try to cover too much at one time-take notes. There are many online sites where you can download study outlines. Be careful not to get caught up in weak denomination or cult. Baptist sites are good, as well as Presbyterian, and R Schneb recommended a Calvary Chapel site-they are good, actually they are very good, and straight as an arrow. That should get you going-
good luck-
2007-03-25 21:29:19 · answer #4 · answered by John S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every time, before you read the words of God the Bible,Pray and ask the Lord to allow you to understand what it is you read, and to allow you to understand the things that you are reading about, and he will, That is what I do and it works, And visiting churches that are teaching the bible, Sunday school, and Bible studies,are good sources too, What is really great is to gather with 2 0r more and see the difference in what, each receives in the words of the Bible.It shows me where ones spirit is with the Lord, When i first started to read the Bible it was all real confusing to me, but if you ask to be allowed to understand, what it is you read, It is great, and a wonderful Journey, and it teaches you how to survive all trials and tribulations, you will face in life, and keeping our Spirit as if we had a spirit of a child, And trusting in Jesus and believing that Jesus is the Son of God, God bless you through your journey... and Israel and all
2007-03-25 23:39:53 · answer #5 · answered by patricia 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Read each book from beginning to end. Don't skip around. Don't look for verses that say what you want to hear. Hear what the verses say in their context.
Some look at a verse and say "I know this is what it says, but I think it means..." Don't try to twist the verses to make them say something different.
One example, Jesus said "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16)
Many say a person believes, is saved, and then he shall be baptized. They go into long explanations telling what Jesus "meant". This view, however, is not what Jesus said. It is not in the same order.
What would Jesus have said if he had meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"? I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said. I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
To understand the Bible, study it! Don't be content to just study about the Bible, but actually study the Bible. Don't be content to just read books that talk about the bible. Read the Bible.
The Bible is its own best comentary. Most often, the context will help you understand difficult verses.
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
2007-03-25 23:17:35 · answer #6 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ask God to open your eyes to understand the bible. He is the only one who can truly help you understand the bible. Then you will get from the passage what you need to hear... not what someone else has gotten from it.
Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
2007-03-25 21:26:04 · answer #7 · answered by childofGOD 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
One way would be to get into a Bible study. Now, if your talking about personal study, I suggest you get a book or two on hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is a fancy word for how we read and interpret the Bible. Two books I suggest would be "Grasping God's Word" by Duvall and Hayes and "Reading the Bible for All Its Worth" by Fee and Stuart.
2007-03-25 21:18:05 · answer #8 · answered by Jason M 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go to www.ttb.org it is a daily Bible study with a wonderful pastor, Dr. J. Vernon McGee. You can listen to him go through the whole bible on his daily radio program or listen to it online. I have listened to him for years. He is kind of a funny speaker but you will learn the bible.
2007-03-25 21:35:00 · answer #9 · answered by angel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Download the e-Sword software from the Freeware section on the Free Stuff page @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/ along with the Albert Barnes commentary and listen to good Bible teachers like Paul Sheppard @ http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/enduring_truth as well as attending a good Bible teaching, Christ honoring, Spirit led church.
2007-03-25 21:23:54 · answer #10 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. We give free Bible studies in 236 countries. All you have to do to start your own personal study is to contact them, either through the following link, or at a local Kingdom Hall. They should be listed in the local phone book. People say things against us, but if you really want to learn what the Bible really teaches, this is the best thing you can do. we will help you and it is free. Pray about this if you are serious about learning more about the Bible, and Jehovah God will guide you.
https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm
2007-03-25 21:20:17 · answer #11 · answered by wannaknow 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋