Morris Inch

How to Study The Bible



Posted: Friday, January 08, 2010

by Morris Inch

Persons err in using an incorrect approach to the study of Scripture. This article attemps a brief guideline as a much needed corrective.

1. Salvation History
Initially, the article sketches salvation history in terms of the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. It then discusses Scripture as event plus interpretation. .

2. Literary Genre
Wisdom literature provides an introduction to literary considerations. Various contexts next invite our attention: concerning the biblical text as a whole and in some particular, faith, love, hope, and life itself. We then touch on such literary devices as metaphor, symbols and symbolic action, idioms and hyperbole, irony and the like.

3. Incentives
In conclusion, we are encouraged to study the text perceptibly, prayerfully, obediently, and on occasion corporatively.

Finally, we should seize on the opportunity to study it corporatively. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us, we were called into community. In all things, we are to glorify God and enjoy him forever---the study of scripture being no exception.

Morris A. Inch is a Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. He is also a past president of the Institute of Holy Land Studies (renamed Jerusalem University College), Jerusalem, Israel. He was awarded an A.B. from Houghton College, M.Div. from Gordon Divinity School and Ph.D. from Boston University. He has authorded about forty books. See his publication website at http:www.ourchurch.com/member/p/publications

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» left by Marijo Phelps
 2 years 114 days ago.
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OK this one got me to join your fan club! Marijo (Mary Jo)
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