How to Read the Bible
Lessson 2
Some folks read the Holy Scriptures as if they are a Reader's Digest, full of heart-warming stories, where you mine out the nuggets for the day.
Some folks read the Bible as a book that looks like a chest of drawers. Each compartment has it's own little gadgets & items, but they have nothing to do with what's in the other drawers.
Most folks aren't sure what to do with the Bible. I recognize that the Holy Scriptures are the Words of God Himself. That they were written for "our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)
Attached are some charts to help picture the wholeness of the Scriptures.
The key for understanding the Word of God is: There is one overarching story, & several 'little' stories that flow into it. See Attachment 1 & 2.
As you read the Bible, always be asking yourself these 3 questions: {1} What does this story tell me about God; {2} What does this tell me about what He's doing; {3} & Finally, where does my story fit in?
Finally, Attachment 3 is a chart that shows two very different ways of looking at Scripture. These two different approaches color Bible comprehension and interpretation.
A Comparison of Historic Covenant and Historic Dispensational Theology
|
ISSUE |
COVENANT POSITION |
DISPENSATIONAL POSITION |
Pattern of History |
Covenant of Works with Adam; Covenant of Grace with Christ on behalf of elect (some distinguish between Covenant of Redemption with Christ and Covenant of Grace with the elect). |
Divided into dispensations (usually seven); e.g., Innocence (pre-Fall), Conscience (Adam), Human Government (Noah), Promise (Abraham), Law (Moses), Grace (Christ�s First Coming), Kingdom (Christ�s Second Coming). |
View of History |
Optimistic; God is extending His kingdom. |
Pessimistic: the Last Days are marked by increasingly worse wickedness in the world and by apostasy in the church. |
God's Purpose in History |
There is a unified redemptive purpose. |
There are two distinct purposes, one earthly (Israel), one heavenly (church). |
View of the Biblical Covenants |
They are different administrations of the Covenant of Grace. |
They mark off periods of time during which God's specific demands of man differ. |
Relationship of Old Testament to New Testament |
Acceptance of Old Testament teaching required unless specifically abrogated by New Testament. |
Old Testament prescriptions are not binding unless reaffirmed in New Testament. |
Relationship between Israel and the Church |
The Church is spiritual Israel, in continuity with true Israel of Old Testament. |
The Church is the spiritual people of God, distinct from Israel, the physical people of God. |
Old Testament Prophecy |
Refers to God's people, the Church. |
Refers to ethnic Israel. |
Church Age |
God's redemptive purpose continues to unfold. |
There is a parenthesis between past and future manifestations of the kingdom. |
Role of Holy Spirit |
The Holy Spirit indwells God's people throughout history. |
The Holy Spirit indwells God's people only from Pentecost to the Rapture. |
Baptism |
Unified covenant generally used to support infant baptism. |
Israel/Church distinction often (but not always) used to support believers' baptism. |
Social Implications |
Emphasizes "cultural mandate." |
The only way to save the world is to save individuals; therefore evangelism takes precedence over "social action." |
Eschatology |
Usually amillennial; rarely postmillenial; occasionally premillennial. |
Premillennial, usually pretribulational. |
Millennium |
Symbolic, often identified with present age. |
Literal, earthly 1000-year reign after Second Coming. |
(from Modern Reformation Magazine: www.modernreformation.org)
Worship Times
- Worship
- 10:50AM
- Sunday School
- 9:30AM
- Vespers
- 6:00PM
The Five Solas - The Foundation of the Reformation and Providence Presbyterian (mp3)
Providence Podcast
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy.
Amen.
St. Augustine