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КАК ДА ЧЕТЕМ И РАЗБИРАМЕ БИБЛИЯТА

КАК ДА ЧЕТЕМ И РАЗБИРАМЕ БИБЛИЯТА

Получавам много молби от слушатели, които търсят методи и принципи за изучаване на Библията, затова реших, че ще е полезно да изложа някои полезни насоки за всички в този блог.

Една от важните отправни точки за разбиране на Божието Слово е да определим целта, с която го четем. Библията не е учебник по математика, физика, медицина, химия или който и да е друг учебен предмет. Нейната цел е по-скоро да ни научи на истината за Бога, да изяви проблема с греха и плана за спасение. Тя съдържа всички необходими истини за възвръщане на хората към познанието за Бога, което би помогнало да Му се доверят и да преживеят изцеление в сърцето и ума си.

Но да знаем какво е предназначението на Библията – да предава истината за спасението на хората – не е достатъчно. Човек трябва да изучава Писанията с желание да вникне в смисъла им, а не просто да заучава думите.

Преди много години прочетох ценно прозрение от книгата “Притчи Христови”, което наистина ми помогна да разбера това:

Не е достатъчно само да слушаш или да четеш Словото. Който иска да има полза от Писанията, трябва да размишлява върху истината, която му е представена. С пълно внимание, прилежност и размишлявайки в молитва, той трябва да успее да вникне в смисъла на думите на истината и да пие дълбоко от духа на светите пророчества (стр. 59, подчертаването е от мен).

Това е ключът към всяко изучаване на Библията – не да знаеш оригиналните думи, а да разбираш вложения в тях смисъл. Мнозина избират грешен подход и толкова се увличат в спорове за правилната “дума”, че в края на краищата пропускат правилното значение.

Когато пишех “Тhe Remedy” /преразказ на Новия завет/, това беше един от основните принципи, от които се ръководех: Кое е най-точното и прецизно значение? Получавал съм имейли от хора, които не са съгласни с перифразирането ми на определени стихове, защото английските думи, които съм избрал, не съответстват на гръцките. Но не думите са от значение, тъй като думите могат да променят значението си (например помислете как думата “гей”, чието първоначално значение е “весел” е променила значението си през последния век и се е превърнала в нарицателно за нещо негативно). По-важен е смисълът, който се придава, затова винаги съм предизвиквал тези, които имат притеснения относно някой перифразиран стих, да ми кажат какво според тях е значението му.

Това трябва да правим при прочита на цялата Библия. И е особено важно да го правим, когато става въпрос за символи, метафори, сравнения, образи, притчи или други изразни средства.

Ето някои основни насоки, които според мен са полезни за правилното тълкуване на Писанията:

  1. Трябва да разбираме цялостния контекст на Писанието – не само непосредствения контекст, върху който се концентрират много изследователи на Библията и както се казва заради дърветата изпускат гората, т.е. за сметка на тясното послание изпускат цялостното послание. Цялостният контекст е универсален и в него Бог винаги е любов, а Сатана е егоистично същество, което се опитва да унищожи това, което Бог е създал.
  2. Битката между Бога и Сатана не е физическа битка, а битка на идеи, концепции и убеждения – стремеж да бъдат спечелени сърцата и умовете на хората на едната или другата страна. Основните Божии оръжия са истината, любовта и свободата. Основните оръжия на Сатана са лъжата, основаният на страх егоизъм и принудата.
  3. Библията изявява истината относно Бог, Неговия характер и методи, както и плана Му да изпрати Исус, за да спаси човечеството. Тя също така разобличава Сатана като източник на злото, смъртта, болката и страданието и разкрива проблемите, които отклонението от Божия дизайн причинява през цялата история на човечеството.
  4. В старозаветните времена на земята се е водил глобален конфликт между Бога, който е работил, за да изпълни обещанието Си да се роди “Семето”, което един ден ще смаже главата на змията (Битие 3:15) и Сатана, който се е опитвал да се противопостави на Бога, стремейки се да затвори пътя, по който ще се роди Месията.
  5. В древността са се раждали и са живели милиарди хора, но в Стария завет са записани историите само на няколко от тях. Това са били реални хора, които са вършили реални неща; следователно Библията е книга, която е исторически достоверна. Но защо Бог е избрал да запише само историята на малцина? Това е така, защото фокусът на Писанието е планът за спасение. Така Бог е вдъхновявал Своите писатели да записват истории, които са не само достоверни, но и които разкриват глобални истини – и те метафорично представят битката между Христос и Сатана и разкриват плана за спасение.
  6. Ето някои специфични правила за тълкуване на библейските пророчества:
  • Ако една част от пасажа е символична или метафорична, то и останалата част е символична или метафорична, освен ако в текста не са посочени ясни причини за буквалното му възприемане.
  • Библията трябва да се използва за тълкуване на самата себе си (т.е. тълкуванията на символите трябва да се основават на библейските им дефиниции и само ако няма такива, трябва да се прибягва към други дефиниции).
  • Главната тема е за конфликта между Христос и Сатана.
  • Естеството на Божия характер е любов и никога не се променя; следователно тълкуванията никога не трябва да водят до изкривено представяне на Божия характер, различно от любовта.
  • Божият закон на любовта никога не се променя; следователно тълкуванията винаги трябва да са в хармония с Божия закон на любовта.

Останалите Божии закони на дизайна също са неизменими; следователно тълкуванията не бива да нарушават Божиите закони на дизайна на живота.

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Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 76

Warm greetings from Tanzania! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your team at Come And Reason Ministries for the amazing work you do. Your teachings have opened my eyes to deep biblical truths and how to live them out in real life. I started following the ministry back in 2018, and ever since, my walk with God has grown so much stronger. I’ve found freedom from fear-based faith and now live with more peace and trust in Him. I’ve also been sharing what I’ve learned, especially through Bible School discussions. Your lessons are so insightful and well-explained that I try not to miss a single one. May God continue to bless the work you’re doing.
Elisha M., Tanzania, Africa

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 75

Thank you so much for everything you do! Because of all these truths, I’m excited to be with Jesus! I always pray everyday, “COME TODAY, JESUS.” Before finding C&R, I was always praying for delays, “NOT TODAY OH GOD. I AM NOT READY.” I just need to share more, talk more bout this truth, so everybody will be excited for Jesus.

J C Shin

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA