How to Study the Bible, Part 1

Deductive versus Inductive Bible Study Method

One of the most common ways people study the Bible is by picking a topic, like "money," and then, searching the Bible for relevant passages.  This is called deductive Bible study.  You are deducing, from the topic you've chosen that the biblical passages you've stringed together must somehow fit together.  This is top-down reasoning.  Another way to say this is that you start with the whole and move to the parts--the general to specific.  

Certainly, there are benefits to this approach, like systematizing the Bible's view on the character of God.  But it also has many pitfalls.  For instance, if you were trying to prove that the Bible endorsed slavery, and were looking for texts to support this conclusion, you'd realize pretty quickly that you have two options: a) bend and twist the Bible to say what it doesn't say, or b) change your conclusion. 

In order for the Bible to come alive with meaning, we need another approach--one that lets the Bible speak for itself.  Often, this approach is called "Inductive Bible study."  Inductive Bible study often focuses on only one particular passage of Scripture at a time, and often includes a thorough process of observation, interpretation, and application. I recommend a step-by-step process: prayer, observation, interpretation, and application. This post starts with observation and interpretation--and in another post, I'll present application. 

Step 1: Prayer

Step 2: Observation

In the classic story, "Agassiz and the Fish," a student chronicles his encounter with his professor, Agassiz, and the fish he was to study.  Agassiz tells the student to observe absolutely everything about the fish.  Unfazed, the student begins jotting down all the possible observable details and returns it to his professor. Dissatisfied,  Agassiz requires the student to take the fish yet again. Each time the student looked at the fish, he noticed more and more details emerge.  This process continued for a whole semester-long, until finally, the student no longer needed to see the fish, for he could envision it using only his mind! Pleased with the results, Agassiz permitted the student to study what he originally sought out to learn--insects.  

The point of the story is that observation is an essential step for investigating.  The student had to learn that to be a good scientist, one has to patiently notice details that others would not so easily observe.  

Observation is the first step in effective Bible study.  It seeks to describe what the author is saying.  At this point, all you're doing as the reader is asking the 5 Ws and an H--who, what, where, when, why, how.  Besides this, there are some things to look for:

1. Keywords and phrases that are repeated

2. Contrasts and comparisons 

3. Expressions of time and when events take place

4. Geographic locations and shifts in setting

5. Transition words and terms of conclusion: therefore, so that, as a result of, and, but, in order that, thus, etc..

6.  Themes that appear throughout the book and chapter.  For example, the Gospel of Matthew carries the theme of authority and Christ's power.  

Step 3: Interpretation

Observation tells us what a text says.  Interpretation tells us what a text means. Several factors allow us to eventually derive meaning:

1. Context, Context, Context - The first step in deriving meaning is to determine context.  To get context, ask: What happens before the passage you're study? What happens after? What happens in the whole book where the passage is located?  Finally, How does the passage I'm studying fit into the whole Bible? 

2. Let Scripture interpret Scripture - If a passage appears to say something contradictory to something else in Scripture (i.e. God's sovereignty and human responsibility), simply remember that Scripture is God breathed, therefore it doesn't contradict itself. No part of the Bible undermines another part. In the end, it's better to be humble than to think you know more than God. 

3. Don't base your doctrine on vague passages of Scripture alone (i.e. Mark 16:9-20). 

4. Interpret Scripture the way the author intended - If the Bible says that God created the world, then the author most likely intended to mean that God did in fact create the world.  As you read through the Bible, you'll see that it puts to use a whole spectrum of genres, imagery, and symbolism.  We need to take these major differences into account when trying to understand the Bible's meaning.    

5. To look for the main message of a passage, ask "How would I teach this to a 5-year-old?" This will help you summarize big truths in brief statements while also challenging you to retain the biblical truth. 

6. Keep in mind that the Old Testament is pointing ultimately to Jesus in the New Testament.  

7. Maintain the same attitude the New Testament has of the Old Testament.  When reading the NT, ask these questions: How is this passage a fulfillment of promises from the OT? How is the NT different or similar to the OT teaching?  In what way does the NT clarify and reveal something from the OT? 

By looking for these details, you'll be able to find the meaning of a biblical passage.  With enough practice, you'll commit these steps to memory, all the while, making your Bible study time a very meaningful experience.  These are the first three steps in effective Bible study.  In the coming days, I'll discuss the fourth step, which is application.