The indications of a revival of
interest in the study of the
Bible are numerous and
encouraging. They are to be
found in the increase of private
and devotional reading of the
Scriptures, the improvement of
lesson helps for the Sunday
School, the more conscientious
preparation of the lesson among
teachers in such schools, the
increase of exegetical
preaching, the organization of
courses of Bible study in young
people's societies in nearly all
religious bodies, the increase
of correspondence Bible work,
the creation of Biblical
departments in colleges and
universities, the establishment
of Biblical instruction in
connection with state
universities, and the
organization of clubs and
circles for the study of
Biblical literature as
possessing equal attractiveness
with English and other
literatures.
The study of the Bible is absolutely
necessary to the development of the Christian life. The facts [7]
which the Scriptures present are basis of faith in the Christ and in the whole
series of providential events which prepared the way for his final
disclosure of the life and purposes of God. Only by acquaintance with these
facts and the prophetic, devotional, and horatory discourses and meditations
to which they gave occasion is one able to understand the Old and New
Testaments as the records of our holy faith. The necessity of a daily return
to the Scriptures as a means of spiritual nourishment and culture is the
more apparent when one notes the fact that a great part of our religious
life is made up of activities. This is true of the young people, whose
organizations with their various committees and departments lay emphasis on
service; it is true of the maturer members of the church, before whom is
constantly placed the responsibility for the active ministries to which the
gospel calls; and particularly is this true of missionary workers, pastors,
teachers and others whose lives are consecrated to Christian service. Where
the visible ministries of the church are so largely devoted to the
expenditure of spiritual vitality there must be some means of nourishment
and recuperation. This is provided in the reading and study of the Word of
God, and the atmosphere of prayer in which these privileges should be
enjoyed. The nourishment of the Scriptures is as necessary to the spiritual
life as that of food to the body. [8]
This hand-book is designed to afford
suggestion and assistance to those who desire a fuller and more accurate
knowledge of the Bible. It gives a brief summary of facts regarding the
making and the purpose of the Bible; its chief divisions; short sketches of
the various books, serving as introductions to their study; and various
other material of an interesting and helpful sort to the reader and student
of the Bible. The book has its purposes and its limitations. The former has
been noted. The latter was set by the desire to put all the material into
such a brief and convenient form that the little volume could be in reality
what its name implies, a hand-book, constantly kept at hand for reference
and suggestion.
A few suggestions as to a method of Bible
reading and study may be found profitable.
1. Use the Revised Version of the Bible if
possible. It is much superior to the Authorized or King James Version, not
only because of its better interpretation of particular words and passages,
but because the translators of 1881-1884 availed themselves of many
principles of interpretation unknown to those of 1611. The Revised Version
is not perfect, but it is a long advance over its predecessor and is
gradually coming to take its place with those who desire to possess the best
version of the Scriptures. There may be a feeling of reluctance on the part
of those who have long used the older translation at [9]
the thought of giving up its familiar phrases, but one who has before him the
most of his career as a Bible student cannot afford to deprive himself of
the advantages resulting from the used of the Revised Version.
2. The Bible should be studied with a good
map at hand for constant reference showing the localities, which were the
scenes of the events recorded. If possible some good work on Biblical
Geography should be at hand. One is never able so thoroughly to realize any
event of which the Bible speaks, i. e., to make it real to himself, as when
he visits the spot in person, or by the assistance of good description of
the place, or possesses even a map to show its location and relation to
other localities. Almost any good edition of the Bible, either of the
Authorized or the Revised Version, contains a set of maps. They should be
constantly used till the student is thoroughly acquainted with Biblical
localities.
3. Some general plan of Biblical chronology
should be used for frequent reference. No system thus far devised is
altogether satisfactory, because the writers of the Bible were not
particularly concerned about dates and give them usually in relation to
other events, so that one is often able only to approximate the real time of
an event. The chronology employed in the margin of the Authorized Version
was that of Archbishop Ussher, and has been found quite [10]
unsatisfactory in many particulars as judged by light thrown, especially on Old
Testament events, by recent researches among the records of nations with
which Israel came into contact. An outline chronology of the leading periods
and events in the Biblical history is given in the appendix to this
handbook. Exactness of date is neither possible nor necessary in many cases,
but a plan of dates relatively correct should be mastered by every student.
4. The gradual character of the Biblical
revelation should be firmly impressed in the beginning of any study of the
Scriptures. The divine purposes were disclosed only as they could be
understood. A nation was chosen to be the channel of that revelation, and
its education was to that end; not for its own sake, but for the world. The
Old Testament is the record of that national discipline. Not everything
could be taught at once, but only step by step could advance be made.
Progress is seen through the whole of the Old Testament dispensation in the
disclosure of truth and its embodiment in character, in preparation for the
appearance of the Christ. The New Testament is the record of his
manifestation to the world; of the gradual spread of the Gospel, and of the
helps to the progressive realization of the Christian life.
5. The student should seek such familiarity
with the books of the Bible that their names, groupings [11]
and contents can be instantly recalled. These items are all important. The
knowledge of the names of the books of the Bible in their order is
indispensable and easily acquired. To assist in the possession of this
knowledge, and to render it still more accurate and detailed, it should be
remembered that the Old Testament books fall into three groups, which,
speaking in general terms, may be called (I) historical, 17; (II) poetical,
5; (III) prophetic, 17; 39 in all. In the New Testament there are also three
groups; (I) historical, the Gospels and Acts, 5; (II) didactic, the
Epistles, 21; (III) apocalyptic, Revelation, 1; 27 in all, a total of 66 in
the Bible. Then in the study of a particular book its plan and contents may
be secured. The ability to "think through" a book, i. e., to recall the
general line of through its chapters, is the only knowledge that can satisfy
the real Bible student.
6. The memorizing of portions of Scripture
is a practice that should be followed, and whose results will be most
satisfactory both as a means of a better understanding of the Bible and as
aids to the religious life. The habit of committing to memory a passage of
Scripture daily is easily acquired, and presently the mind is stored with
the most precious utterances of the ages.
7. References in the New Testament to
passages in the Old Testament should be carefully searched [12]
out, and incidents narrated in different places should be compared. This may be
done with the aid of the references found in the Authorized Version, but
unfortunately the system there adopted often runs to fantastic lengths,
references being sometimes given on the basis of quite superficial
resemblance. One's own references, neatly set down on the margins of his
Bible in the light of careful study, will always be found the most helpful.
8. In short, the ability to do one's own
study and come upon one's own results is the goal of all methods. Notes of
work done should be made. Condensations and paraphrases of passages may be
made with profit. "A lead pencil is the best of all commentators." A
note-book should be in constant use. Results may be written on the margin of
the Bible page in ink. Many systems of "Bible marking" have been devised.
Few are of any value except to those who devise them; but any good method of
preserving results, worked out by the student himself, will prove of value.
9. The use of any helps that may be within
reach is advisable. But they should be used as helps, and not usurp
the place of the Bible itself. After all, it is the Bible we are to study,
and no mere study of books can compensate for a failure to study first and
constantly the Book.
10. The use to be made of this hand-book
will [13]
suggest itself to every student. In taking up the study of any book, read that
book carefully. Then read the material on that book in the following pages.
After this read the material on the other books of the same group, that the
surroundings of the particular book may be obtained. From these readings a
knowledge of its date, or that of its events, will be secured, which may be
supplemented by the chronological material furnished in the appendix. Then
read the book through at a single sitting if possible, to get its leading
ideas. After this make an outline of its contents, and lastly turn to the
questions on the book in the appendix and write out full answers to them.
The results of such a use of this little book will render it of value to
every one so using it, and will amply justify its preparation.
HERBERT
L. WILLETT. [14]
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