How many times should someone read the Bible before teaching/forming strong opinions?

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1still_waters

Guest
#1
#1
I notice there are a lot of people with really strong opinions on things in the Bible.
Often I find myself wondering, "How many of these people have read the entire Bible? How many of them have read it more than once?"

Then that question leads me to thinking, "How many times should someone read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on what's in the Bible? How many times should one read the Bible before they go about teaching, arguing, debating about stuff in it?"

I'm not talking about the simple fact of "Jesus is the only way to salvation."
That's a simple given thing even the newest believer should be firm on.
So let's exclude that issue from this debate/discussion.

Outside of having a strong opinion on Jesus being the only way to salvation, how many times should one read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on things, and how many times should one read the Bible before they go about debating/teaching/etc, said strong opinion/views?
 
M

mrb29678

Guest
#2
#2
Good point! We are all imperfect man
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#3
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
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#3
1still_waters said:
I notice there are a lot of people with really strong opinions on things in the Bible.
Often I find myself wondering, "How many of these people have read the entire Bible? How many of them have read it more than once?"

Then that question leads me to thinking, "How many times should someone read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on what's in the Bible? How many times should one read the Bible before they go about teaching, arguing, debating about stuff in it?"

I'm not talking about the simple fact of "Jesus is the only way to salvation."
That's a simple given thing even the newest believer should be firm on.
So let's exclude that issue from this debate/discussion.

Outside of having a strong opinion on Jesus being the only way to salvation, how many times should one read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on things, and how many times should one read the Bible before they go about debating/teaching/etc, said strong opinion/views?
Click to expand...
Once you’ve read the Bible cover to cover, I think the important thing is that you obey the commandments of the Lord. Reading the Bible over and over isn’t going to help if you don’t obey those commandments.
 
Mo0448

Mo0448

Senior Member
#4
Jun 10, 2013
1,209
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#4
Reading the bible cover to cover does not make one more knowledgeable or in any way more godly or in any way more understanding of God's plans in their lives. I have read the bible 6 times front to cover (we used to sit together as a family, and go through the yearly bible calendar), however this in no way makes me any more dignified or understanding of his word than anyone else. In fact it wasn't until about two years ago, almost a decade after having read the bible so many times, that I truly began to understand and grasp God's love for each one of us. In many cases reading the bible many times only fueled my legalism. Thank goodness God put me in my place :)
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#5
#5
i got shot the otherday for saying IMO
thing is ive only studied for 40 years and
am not ready to be dogmatic yet....but i like
to dialogue about it.:cool:
 
1

1still_waters

Guest
#6
#6
Mo0448 said:
Reading the bible cover to cover does not make one more knowledgeable or in any way more godly or in any way more understanding of God's plans in their lives. I have read the bible 6 times front to cover (we used to sit together as a family, and go through the yearly bible calendar), however this in no way makes me any more dignified or understanding of his word than anyone else. In fact it wasn't until about two years ago, almost a decade after having read the bible so many times, that I truly began to understand and grasp God's love for each one of us. In many cases reading the bible many times only fueled my legalism. Thank goodness God put me in my place :)
Click to expand...
You're kinda skirting the question. :p
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#7
#7
does my skirt cover?:p
 
Mo0448

Mo0448

Senior Member
#8
Jun 10, 2013
1,209
15
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#8
1still_waters said:
You're kinda skirting the question. :p
Click to expand...
My apologies still_waters! I guess what I meant to say it did help develop my character in many ways and thinking back to it today it truly broadened my understanding of scripture and how to associate with it granted I was blessed with an amazing memory. I believe though that without love and understanding of the scripture one could read it a thousand times and not be able to draw anything from it. I feel that it wasn't until I began to ask the right questions and ask for a closeness with Christ, a better relationship that I didn't begin to see things in a whole new fresh way.

If i'm still beating around the bush, let me try to make myself clearer. Its not necessarily about the number of times but about the interest and desire you have in learning more. Some individuals are content with the sole focus on Christ is salvation and nothing else matters. I want to know more understand more the bible has to also be analyzed in a historical cultural book; whereas some traditions arose do to cultural perception of the time (which I did not really see or perceive until much later in life). While I still believe I may be rambling on my answer is IT DOESN'T MATTER how many times to be honest. What really matters is your interest in discussing and having dialogue on the material. Perhaps the more you read it the more you'll want to learn more so I guess it may influence the desire to teach/dialogue on it. Gosh tougher question than I thought! :p
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#9
#9
I agree with that.....a person could read the bible 1000 times and still be totally off.
some of them are in institutions and great cult leaders.

Also its true that proper hermenuetics would be essential, along with studying all other points of view
to test your opinion

Also as Dave said walking in obedience is essential...assuring your sinful flesh isnt out of fellowship
with the author and revealer of scripture leading to a selfish or biased opinion.

And when all done dialogue still should be in humility both to give and take to share and learn
when in dialogue of scripture...
 
stefen

stefen

Senior Member
#10
Jun 14, 2013
105
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#10
I know that my dad completed several times. he is 56 now. But i didnt at-least once. as jeremiah, ezekiel.. etc seems to be not entering into mind.

I read New testament alone so many times.

But there is no restriction that only the people who completed it can teach or preach. I think disciple peter was not educated much. but have preached to thousands..
 
superdave5221

superdave5221

Senior Member
#11
Jul 28, 2009
1,409
31
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#11
1still_waters said:
I notice there are a lot of people with really strong opinions on things in the Bible.
Often I find myself wondering, "How many of these people have read the entire Bible? How many of them have read it more than once?"

Then that question leads me to thinking, "How many times should someone read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on what's in the Bible? How many times should one read the Bible before they go about teaching, arguing, debating about stuff in it?"

I'm not talking about the simple fact of "Jesus is the only way to salvation."
That's a simple given thing even the newest believer should be firm on.
So let's exclude that issue from this debate/discussion.

Outside of having a strong opinion on Jesus being the only way to salvation, how many times should one read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on things, and how many times should one read the Bible before they go about debating/teaching/etc, said strong opinion/views?
Click to expand...
Hey Stillwaters,

I can only speak about my experiences. I read the bible all the way through 7 times early in life, and I was still agnostic. I didn't learn a thing. I came to the table with the wrong attitude. God didn't speak to me, because I wasn't ready.

About five years ago, I decided to pick up the bible again, and this time to study it, with an open mind, with the attitude that maybe there is a God, and that He speaks to us through the bible. What a difference!! With almost every page I was reading the bible for the first time it seemed. God was speaking to me through the words on the pages.

After this, I decided that I wanted to learn more. I had an insatiable desire to know as much as I could about God. And so I began to study systematically. I took a course in hermenutics and exegesis. I began studying in Grudem's Systematic Theology, and followed that with Erickson's Theology. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know. From this knowledge, I developed some pretty strong opinions on things. My postings in this forum are evidence of that.

And so, I went from having no opinion, (apathy), after 7 readings to having strong opinions after the 8th reading.

And so, in answer to your first question, I would have to say it is indeterminate. It depends on your dedication to study and your willingness to trust in God and His Word, and to act on it in your life. I will say this, after 8 readings, it appears to me to be more important to study doctrine systematically, rather than reading the bible from start to finish.

Now as for teachers. Teachers have a greater responsibility. They really need to immerse themselved in the Word, and to be living a life as salt and light. That doesn't mean that they are sinless, but that their lifestyle is consistent with one who has clothed themselves with Christ. (Actually all of us should be living that way). Teachers need to be especially careful that they are teaching the truth.

Consider what Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3:10. Jesus has just explained a basic of the gospel and Nicodemus is clueless. Jesus says, "and you are the teacher of all Israel and you don't know this?" Now Nicodemus was an expert in the law, (I am guessing that his knowledge would be like reading the bible 200 times), and yet his teaching was insufficient. Now I realize that he only had the O.T. Scriptures, but Jesus' response indicated that he should have known what He was talking about.

So what was Nicodemus' problem? It wasn't one of knowledge. It was a problem of discernment. His discernment was clouded by the traditions of his day. He had to put his full trust in God and reject those traditions that were leading him astray. This has nothing to do with how many times you read the bible, but with faith, and living a Christian life and trusting in Jesus with all things.

Therefore, the answer to your second question is also indeterminate and depends on the individual.

Finally, in Romans 12 Paul speaks of gifts according to grace. One of these gifts is the gift of teaching. I would suppose that if God has granted a gift of teaching through grace to someone, then that person is more than likely to be more successful and require fewer readings than those not having this gift.
 
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A

Abiding

Guest
#12
#12
i said dave...i meant resurrection33:eek:
 
S

SparkleEyes

Senior Member
#13
Mar 23, 2013
771
21
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#13
4,560,302,289 times.

Seriously, how about using a different, more educated, approach to form opinions. :cool:
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#14
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
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#14
Stilly makes a good point that we should all read the entire Bible.
 
D

doulos

Guest
#15
#15
2Th 2:10-11 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

It does not matter if one reads the Scriptures a million times, if they do not love the truth they shall be sent strong delusion and believe a lie as a result. If one does love the truth and diligently studies they will shew themselves approved by rightly dividing the word of truth.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
 
leastofthese

leastofthese

Banned
#16
Jun 16, 2013
8
0
0
#16
hey man, its not how many times you read its about surrendering to what it teaches, which takes a lifetime, trust me iknow.
 
Q

Quickfire

Guest
#17
#17
let look at what the bible says 1 john 2:26 i am writing this to you about those who are trying to decieve you.
but as for you christ has poured out his spirit on you.
As long as his spirit remains in you.
you do not need anyone to teach you. For his spirit teaches you about everything and what he teaches is true, not false.
Obey the spirits teachings, then and stay in union with christ.
yes my children remain in union with him so that when he apears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the day he comes.
You do know that christ is righteous; You should know then, that everyone who does what is is right is gods child
 
Q

Quickfire

Guest
#18
#18
1 timothy 2: 2:6 god wants evreyone to be saved and that is why i was sent as an apostle and a teacher of the gentiles to proclaim the message of faith and truth," i am not lying i am telling the truth. in every church service i want the men to pray, men who are dedicated to god who can lift up there hands in prayer, without anger or argument.

timothy 2 god wants you to live a quiet and peacful life this is good and it pleases god our saviour
 
RedTent

RedTent

Banned
#19
Oct 31, 2011
8,200
182
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#19
I am often blown away by children too young to have read the bible at all and have a profound understanding of God.

I think it isn't how many times we have read God's word, it goes much deeper.

It is my opinion (got that?) that much understanding of the OT has been hidden from the gentiles since the resurrection. We read it, but through the eyes of the age we are living in, when it is told through the lives of people who lived long ago. Archeology and the ability to read ancient language has opened up the OT to scholars and is sifting down to us common folks through learning about the people. God used the lives of those people to tell us about Him, we need to know about the people God speaks to us through.

There are Christians who absolutely know everything so they can't take advantage of that. There are Christians who learn of it and go back to bible understanding as it was before Christ, so it doesn't help them know God. And there are Christians who look for God in all scripture, who know Christ well, and say this gives me a more complete understanding.

My conclusion is that there are many things that make us mature enough to teach, but it all stems from being obedient and open to God's teaching. And always open to growth in knowledge.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#20
Nov 24, 2012
30,712
3,651
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#20
The more I learn of God the more I realize I don't know that much of Him.
 
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