The Holy Bible

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p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
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Goodness knows that people always seem to be discussing what is "wrong" with the Bible here, and, I suppose, that is to be expected. But there must be room on this Forum Page for a thread discussing what is "right" or "good" about the Bible. I'm hoping that we can do this...........but, who knows? There are always detractors.........Anyway, I thought we could offer our opinions of what we find "good" about the Word of God.......the Holy Bible. No specific format.....just our thoughts.

To start, I want to look at the word "strength," and see what Scriptures offer to us........

Psalms 28:7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Isaiah 12:2) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 40:29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

1st Corinthians 1:25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Ephesians 3:16) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 .) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 .) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 .) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Colossians 1:10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 .) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 .) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

2nd Thessalonians 3:3) But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

1st Peter 4:11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

You may choose any word/thought you wish to expound upon..............what you receive from reading the Holy Bible.

God bless.........
 
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one thing that I love about the Bible is it's realness with the people in it. and God as well. the people made mistakes, totally got stuff wrong, let their frustrations get the better of them ( Moses and the water). got down and quit ( Elijah). broke their word (Peter) and so on. but through it all God kept his word and never gave up on them and many more. praise be to Him!!!
 
Without the light of God's Word our minds would be open season to superstitions, confusion, darkness, fear of death and all the other unknowns.We would live a dog eat dog life without hope or purpose...full of meaninglessness.
 
gb9 said:
one thing that I love about the Bible is it's realness with the people in it. and God as well. the people made mistakes, totally got stuff wrong, let their frustrations get the better of them ( Moses and the water). got down and quit ( Elijah). broke their word (Peter) and so on. but through it all God kept his word and never gave up on them and many more. praise be to Him!!!
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wish more people would see this central theme of Gods word and his mercy and salvation.

We would not have so many who never find the strength of God that the op's author spoke of!
 
I'm so happy to see "comments".................wuz beginning to wonder............ :)

God bless you each and every one!
 
crossnote said:
Without the light of God's Word our minds would be open season to superstitions, confusion, darkness, fear of death and all the other unknowns.We would live a dog eat dog life without hope or purpose...full of meaninglessness.
Click to expand...
That is actually not true at all. "The word was God". Without the Word, we simply would not exist. He is all in all.
 
One of the great lessons we learn from the Word of God is "humility." How important is Christian humility to every believer? I know there are a plethora of examples in His Word, but when I think of "humility," these three examples come first to my mind.

Luke 18:10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 .) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 .) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 .) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 .) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

John 13:4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 .) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 .) Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 .) Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 .) Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 .) Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

AND THE GREATEST EXAMPLE!

Philippians 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 .) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 .) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 .) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 .) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 .) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 .) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


(there is so very much Soul food to be digested in His Holy Bible)
 
A wonderful lesson we learn from the Holy Bible is about "love."

1st John 4:7) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 .) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1st John 4:15) Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 .) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 .) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 .) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 .) We love him, because he first loved us. 20 .) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 .) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

John 15:12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 .) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Matthew 22:36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 .) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 .) This is the first and great commandment.
39 .) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 .) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

What a wonderful loving God He is!
 
I love how, every time I read my bible, I find something that applies to the life I am living now. It feels like I am being spoken to directly, instead of reading words that millions of people have read before me and applied to their own lives.

For me, a lot of the scripture I am reading is new. I knew the more popular verses before I was saved--most people in America know the popular verses. I love reading the bible and finding verses that are new to me.

Verses that are positive and uplifting.

Verses that encourage.

Verses about friendship and family and strength.

Verses about humility.

Verses about love, pure and unconditional love from God.





 
Continuing with the lessons learned through the study of the Holy Bible..........let's look at PATIENCE!

Truly one of the most difficult lessons to learn, AND to obey........for a believer to exercise patience. Wow, I surely do struggle with this, and I suspect others do as well. By learning patience, we are able to endure times of trials/tribulations as God works to fulfill His plan for our lives. What does Scripture say?

Psalms 46:10) Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 .) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Isaiah 40:28) Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 .) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 .) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 .) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 .) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 .) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 .) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 .) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Galatians 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 .) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 .) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

James 1:16) Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 .) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 .) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 .) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 .) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 5:7) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 .) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.


I pray that God will increase my patience, but I fear that the best way to "learn" patience is through trials and tribulations suffered.............sigh...........and I may well fail.
 
Continuing with lessons learned from the Holy Bible............

WISDOM:

2nd Chronicles 1:8) And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 9 .) Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 .) Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? 11 .) And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 12 .) Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

Ecclesiastes 7:19) Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
20 .) For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21 .) Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22 .) For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. 23 .) All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24 .) That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 25 .) I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

(so many in Proverbs, just going to list Chapter/Verse)

Proverbs: 1:7-8 / 9:9 / 13:14 / 16:23 / 3:7 / 13:10 / 14:8 / 15:31 / 19:20 / 29:11 / 37:30

Matthew 7:24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:....................

Ephesians 5:14) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 .) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 .) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 .) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.


1st Corinthians 1:23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 .) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 .) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 .) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 .) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 .) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 .) That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 .) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 .) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

James 1:1) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 .) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 .) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 .) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 .) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 .) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

AND MY FAVORITE:

Job 28:28) And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
 
phil112 said:
That is actually not true at all. "The word was God". Without the Word, we simply would not exist. He is all in all.
Click to expand...

I said the 'light' of God's Word, which many cultures have found themselves living in the darkness I described.
 
Even in the very most ancient of laws, they apply to us today if we read them in spirit and in truth. When scripture tells of justice and how to carry it out in our works, it talks of oxen and slaves. We don't have oxen and slaves, so I have heard that makes them obsolete. I don't think it does at all, the spirit and truth it tells about applies to our life today just as it did to the life lived then.

I have heard people say bible teaches grace by works in the OT, so I searched for where God would say that and if God changed His mind about it. There is not one place I could find that idea came from God's word. Scripture in the OT talks more about the works than the spirit, it was before Pentecost although many times it talks of the spirit there. Never once did I find scripture says God saves you based on works, it was always the opposite.

I've been told that God atoned based on the blood of animals, very like the pagan people did when they fed their idols animal blood to curry their favor. Scripture says animal blood was only used as a symbol or shadow of Christ. In Isaiah it says, when people used blood to satisfy God, that he hated those sacrifices. It was only the blood of Christ God ever accepted.

I truly love scripture, every verse of it. The OT explains how we are to live and explains Christ, then the four gospels telling of the wonderful happening of Christ fulfilling and making complete the thousands of years before Him, and the letters trying to make clear just how Jesus completed His work begun on the day of creation and what it means to us.

It is a blueprint for truth in a world often felled with pretend and ineffectual ways of living.
 
What I love is how calming the Bible is for me. When I sit down to read or study, no matter what else is going on, what troubles I'm dealing with, what kind of day I had or what I know is ahead of me, I receive peace. I find comfort. Sometimes I find myself returning to favorite scriptures time and time again but they never fail to deliver.

Speaking of favorites:

Romans 13:10 Love does not harm to it's neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans give you hope and a future.

And, (saving the best for last) Romans 12: 11 & 12 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.

 
Nancyer said:
What I love is how calming the Bible is for me. When I sit down to read or study, no matter what else is going on, what troubles I'm dealing with, what kind of day I had or what I know is ahead of me, I receive peace. I find comfort. Sometimes I find myself returning to favorite scriptures time and time again but they never fail to deliver.

Speaking of favorites:

Romans 13:10 Love does not harm to it's neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans give you hope and a future.

And, (saving the best for last) Romans 12: 11 & 12 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.

Click to expand...

And how about John 14.27? :)

Blessings.
 
Continuing with lessons learned from the Holy Bible................let us consider JOY!

Isaiah 12:1) And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. 2 .) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 .) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 .) And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 .) Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
6 .) Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Psalms 5:11) But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 .) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalms 47:1) O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 2 .) For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. 3 .) He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 .) He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. 5 .) God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 .) Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 .) For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. 8 .) God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. 9 .) The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

Psalms 63:1) O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 .) To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 .) Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 .) Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 .) My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

Psalms 96:7) Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 8 .) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 .) O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. 10 .) Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. 11 .) Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 12 .) Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 13 .) Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Luke 15:7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

John 16:20) Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 .) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 .) And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Philippians 1:3) I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 .) Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 .) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 .) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:


Philemon 1:4) I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 .) Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 .) That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 .) For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.


1st Thessalonians 2:18) Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
19 .) For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 .) For ye are our glory and joy.

1st Peter 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 .) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 .) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 .) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 .) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 .) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 .) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

2nd John 1:12) Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

Romans 12:12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

James 1:2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Galatians 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

2nd Corinthians 7:4) Great [is] my boldness of speech toward you, great [is] my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

Romans 15:13) Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1st Thessalonians 5:16) Rejoice evermore.

2nd Corinthians 8:2) How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Romans 5:11) And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

1st Peter 4:13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Colossians 111) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

1st John 1:4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

1st Thessalonians 1:6) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1st Thessalonians 2:20) For ye are our glory and joy.

Romans 15:32) That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.


2nd Corinthians 1:24) Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

(I know there are many more................but there is surely JOY IN THE LORD!)
 
Hello there,

God's Word is the food of our inner man (the new nature): by reading and digesting it we grow in grace and truth and in the knowledge of God our Saviour. By reading it we are also 'washed' from the detritus that collects within the mind from simply living every day.

'... ... as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;
That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That He might present it to Himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;
but that it should be holy and without blemish.'
(Ephesians 5:25-27)

PRAISE GOD!
 
The question is, what kind of document is the Bible? Is it a narrative document, a historical and cultural document, or is it simply a anthology of morals, ethics, and sorteriologies? A narrative document can be any form of literature that is produced by human intelligence. This can be anything from advertisements to novels to written technical instructions. A narrative document can be fantasy or truth, fact or fiction. Oller would have us believe that in order to understand any narrative we must use human lived experience as the key to unlock the text. Oller claims, without the application of experience, a narrative text can have no meaning or validity and cannot be understood outside the framework of experience. This elevates human experience above the text. This says that textual relevance is controlled only by what we are able to bring to the text experientially. According to Oller, if a text cannot be explained based on human experience it can only be regarded as an artificial discourse of nonsense. This reduces the text to a pseudo document. Any narrative text not measured by experience is viewed as an irrelevant symbolization and foolishness. This is well and good as it applies to documents of human origin, but how would the Bible be regarded in the light of such an appraisal? Should the Bible be regarded as a narrative text? How would this approach affect how we read the Biblical text? How would this affect how we regard human experience in relationship to the reading of the text?

Since human experience is so diverse and varied from culture to culture, it is quite impossible to use experience to derive any coherent meaning from scripture. If we start with human experience, which experience should we use in any given area? Yours, mine, the lawyer up the street, someone we do not even know? Whose experience could be regarded as a viable standard for understanding the Bible? When we apply this logic to the use of human experience, the absurdity begins to multiply exponentially. The use of such a heterogeneous standard would certainly render the Bible as an irrelevant symbolization and foolishness. If we regard the Bible as strictly a narrative text, it may well be appropriate to bring human experience to bear upon the text in order to give it meaning and significance. If however, the Bible is truly a representational document, which it most certainly is, then human experience becomes an irrelevant factor for understanding its meaning. As a solely representational document, the Bible is intended to give meaning to human experience. It is not intended to derive meaning from human experience. This elevates the text over and above human intelligence and makes scripture the controlling document over human history. We must allow scripture to be the defining document for human behavior. It is certain that we can bring nothing from human experience over into the text that will tell us anything about the text. We can never learn anything about how to represent our relationship to this text, to others around us, or to the God who created us if we draw meaning only from our own experiences. The scripture represents the mind of the Creator.
 
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