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sjanhunen / dokimazo

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How do we divide the Bible? #2

Closed sjanhunen closed 5 years ago

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

We are enjoined to "rightly divide" the Word of truth by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:15. But what does it mean to "rightly divide"? What was Paul actually referring to here?

Even if you have never seen this verse and don't understand what it means to "rightly divide", you divide the Bible every time you pick it up to read it. Pretty much everyone already divides the Bible into two halves, whether they actively think about it or not.

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

Reviewing the verses

Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [2Ti 2:14-15 KJV]

We can ask the question: what does the "Word of Truth" refer to here? And how do we divide in a way that is profitable and edifying to the hearers?

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

The books of the Bible: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_the_Bible

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

Example: who gets the most from watching a movie or reading a book? Someone who assumes every detail is important! If you pay attention to the details and it is a good book or movie, you will be rewarded. If the author did not pay attention to the details, you might be frustrated.

The Bible is filled with details that speak to us on a human level:

Fundamentally, all of these are used as ways to teach us about the central character: Christ.

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

Interesting to note that in 2 Timothy, it was the resurrection that was “wrongly divided”. This was overthrowing the faith of some people. What resurrection was this that they got wrong? Did somebody assume that since some saints were walking around, raised from the dead, that they were in the restored kingdom or in the last days?

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

The NLT translation of Proverbs 3:8 sheds additional light: "Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." This is a good paraphrase of what it means to "rightly divide." We need to rightly divide the Scriptures so that God can show us which path to take. We need to not be unwise, but wise, understanding the Will of God (Eph 5:17).

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

In John 5, Christ’s words to the Jews are layered with meaning (v 39-46). They were searching the Scriptures for life. However, they were missing the fact that these Scriptures were pointing to Christ. Moses was speaking of Christ and was in fact a great prophet.

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

When we rightly divide the Word of God, we will be pointed towards Christ. I think it’s more important to think about direction and guidance than more specifically about “cutting”.

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

When we rightly divide the Word of God, we will be pointed towards Christ. I think it’s more important to think about direction and guidance than more specifically about “cutting”.

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

In Luke 24:25-27, Christ opened their understanding to what the prophets had taught about Him, beginning with Moses! If we want to understand the life, death, and resurrection of Christ more fully, we need to start with the books of Moses!

sjanhunen commented 5 years ago

I believe Moses is critical to arriving at a correct understanding of advanced books like Revelation as well as becoming more solid in our understanding of where that sits today.