Becoming a theologian: Rightly handling the word of God

As we continue to become theologians and as we realize that the Bible is our starting point for knowing God and knowing about God, we must realize that it is important to correctly handle God's Word. In other words, we must make sure we don't use it - or part of it - inappropriately.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

We're not reading the Bible in the original language(s) it was written in

• We are reading from translations which means that we're not reading the original texts. Thus, the words we see, are a person's or a group of people's interpretation of what the original words mean. Sometimes, an original word in the Hebrew or Greek may be translated into many different English words or several different Hebrew or Greek words may be translated to the same English word.
• This means that if we're having a hard time interpreting what Scripture is saying, we may need to consult someone or something that knows more than we do about what the words in the original language mean.

The world has changed a lot since the Bible was written

• When the Bible was written, a lot of things that we take for granted for living our daily life did not exist: there were no cars, telephones, TVs, computers, interstate highways, and many other things.
• Thus, when we read things in the Bible that sound strange to us (like Jesus washing the disciples feet), we may need to read other books called commentaries to help us understand what was happening.

Context is important

• Context means understanding the big picture around what we are reading.
• If we read just one sentence of Isaiah 56:12, we can read "Let us drink our fill of beer!" Does that mean we should drink beer until we're full - until we can't drink any more?
• If we look at this in context by reading what's around it, we find that this is said by wicked people who according to verse 11 "lack understanding." In other words, the people who are saying this aren't very smart. With that in mind, do you think everyone should go out and drink beer until they are full?

Even though Scripture has clarity and we can understand it, we need to make sure that we are studying it carefully so that we know we're doing what God wants.