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 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, 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 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, 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 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

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 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

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

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA