The Bible is a sacred and profound text for millions around the world, serving as a source of spiritual guidance, moral wisdom, and divine revelation. However, many readers approach the Bible in ways that miss its true message or lead to misinterpretation. In this article, we will examine 9 common wrong ways to read the Bible, and offer one better approach that can deepen your understanding and connection with the text.
1. The “Me-Centered” Approach
Focusing Only on Personal Application
A common pitfall when reading the Bible is the “me-centered” approach, where readers begin their study with the question, “What does this mean for me?” This approach often leads to a shallow understanding of the text. While the Bible certainly contains messages that are personally applicable, starting with personal application as the primary focus can skew its original meaning. The Bible’s primary purpose is not to be a self-help manual, but to reveal God’s nature, His relationship with humanity, and the story of salvation through Jesus Christ. By reading the Bible through the lens of personal application first, readers may miss the larger, universal message the Bible conveys.
Solution: Read the Bible in its Larger Context
Rather than starting with how a passage can apply to your life, begin by understanding its original meaning in the context of its time. What was the passage intended to communicate to its original audience? Once you understand the meaning in its original context, you can more accurately apply it to your life.
2. The “Verse-Isolated” Approach
Taking Verses Out of Context
It’s easy to fall into the habit of pulling a verse out of the Bible without understanding the context in which it appears. While verses may appear to offer profound insights or moral lessons, when isolated from their surrounding text, their meaning can be distorted. The Bible is a complex and nuanced collection of writings, and individual verses must be interpreted in relation to the entire book and the broader biblical narrative.
Solution: Read Passages in Context
Rather than focusing on individual verses, try to read passages in context. Look at the surrounding verses, chapters, and even the entire book. This will give you a clearer understanding of the passage’s meaning and how it fits within the broader biblical story.
3. The “Magic 8-Ball” Approach
Seeking Random Answers
Another common but flawed approach is using the Bible like a “magic 8-ball,” where a reader randomly opens the Bible and points to a verse to get an answer to a specific question. This method, often based on superstition or a desire for immediate guidance, does not engage with the Bible as a sacred text but rather as a tool for quick answers. This approach can result in confusion or misinterpretation, as the Bible is not meant to be used in this arbitrary manner.
Solution: Study the Bible Intentionally
Instead of hoping for random answers, approach the Bible with a clear purpose and intention. Engage with the text systematically, study it in context, and seek understanding over time. Prayerfully consider what God is speaking to you through the text, rather than seeking instant, random answers.
4. The “Moralistic” Approach
Viewing the Bible as a Collection of Morals
Many people read the Bible as if it is just a list of moral rules, guidelines, and dos and don’ts. While the Bible certainly contains moral teachings, reducing it solely to a moral code overlooks its greater purpose of revealing God’s redemptive plan for humanity. By focusing exclusively on moral lessons, readers miss the depth of theological and historical insights that the Bible offers.
Solution: Read the Bible for Its Gospel Message
Rather than simply looking for moral lessons, remember that the Bible is fundamentally a story of redemption. It tells the story of God’s love for His people, His plan to redeem them through Jesus Christ, and His desire for a relationship with humanity. While moral guidance is certainly a part of this story, it is secondary to the overarching message of grace and salvation.
5. The “Doctrinal” Approach
Using the Bible to Prove Preconceived Beliefs
Many readers approach the Bible with a preconceived set of beliefs or doctrines that they wish to confirm. While it is natural to approach Scripture with certain theological convictions, the danger of this method is that it can lead to confirmation bias. When the goal is simply to find support for existing beliefs, readers may ignore or dismiss passages that challenge their views, stunting their growth and understanding of the Scriptures.
Solution: Let the Bible Shape Your Beliefs
Rather than using the Bible to confirm your own beliefs, approach it with an open heart and mind. Let Scripture speak for itself, even if it challenges your preconceived notions. Be open to learning and growing in your understanding of God’s word, allowing it to shape and refine your beliefs.
6. The “Aesop’s Fables” Approach
Treating the Bible as a Collection of Fables
Some readers treat the Bible as a collection of isolated stories, similar to Aesop’s Fables, looking for moral lessons in each story without understanding the larger narrative. While there are certainly stories in the Bible that teach moral lessons, the Bible is not merely a collection of fables. The stories in the Bible are deeply interconnected, pointing to the larger story of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Solution: See the Bible as a Unified Story
The Bible is one continuous narrative, starting with creation and ending with the restoration of all things in Christ. While individual stories have their own meaning and importance, they are all part of the larger picture of God’s plan for humanity. Reading the Bible as one unified story will deepen your understanding of how each part contributes to the whole.
7. The “Grumpy” Approach
Reading Out of Obligation
Sometimes, people approach Bible reading as a chore or a duty, feeling obligated to read it rather than doing so out of desire or love for the text. This attitude can lead to a sense of frustration or boredom, and it can prevent readers from experiencing the transformative power of God’s word.
Solution: Read the Bible with Joy
The Bible is a gift, and reading it should be a source of joy and delight. Rather than viewing Bible reading as an obligation, approach it with a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity to encounter God’s word. If you find yourself struggling to read, try to find ways to reignite your passion for Scripture, whether through prayer, study groups, or personal reflection.
8. The “Indiana Jones” Approach
Viewing the Bible as an Ancient Artifact
Some readers approach the Bible as if it were an ancient artifact, merely a collection of old writings with little relevance to modern life. While the Bible is indeed ancient, it is far more than just a historical document. It is a living and active word that speaks to every generation, offering wisdom and guidance for all aspects of life.
Solution: Engage with the Bible as a Living Text
Rather than viewing the Bible as a relic of the past, read it with the understanding that it is alive and relevant today. The Bible speaks to contemporary issues, offering timeless wisdom for navigating the complexities of modern life. Engage with the text as something that has the power to transform your life and your world.
9. The “Rules” Approach
Searching for Commands to Obey
While the Bible contains commandments and guidelines for how we should live, focusing solely on these rules can lead to a legalistic approach to Scripture. Legalism is the belief that following rules alone can lead to righteousness, which overlooks the deeper message of grace and faith that underpins the Bible’s teachings.
Solution: Embrace Grace and Relationship
The Bible is not just a book of rules; it is a story of grace and relationship with God. Rather than focusing only on what to do and not do, understand that salvation and righteousness come through faith in Jesus Christ, not through rule-keeping. The rules in the Bible are given to help us live in a way that honors God, but they are not the means of salvation.
The Better Way: The Gospel-Centered Approach
Reading the Bible as One Unified Story of Redemption
The best way to read the Bible is through a gospel-centered approach. This means viewing the Bible as a unified narrative that ultimately points to Jesus Christ and His work of redemption. Every book, every story, every passage contributes to this larger story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.
By reading the Bible in this way, readers can see the bigger picture of God’s plan for the world. They can understand that the Bible is not a collection of isolated moral teachings, historical accounts, or rules, but a revelation of God’s love, His justice, His mercy, and His grace. The Bible’s ultimate purpose is to reveal the gospel message—the good news that Jesus Christ has come to save humanity from sin and death.
Conclusion: A Transformative Approach to Bible Reading
Reading the Bible with a gospel-centered focus allows us to move beyond superficial readings or distorted interpretations. It opens our hearts and minds to the transformative power of God’s word. By engaging with the Bible as a unified story of God’s redemptive plan, we not only gain a deeper understanding of Scripture but also grow in our relationship with God. So, if you’ve been reading the Bible in one of the wrong ways, consider adopting a gospel-centered approach. It will deepen your faith and enrich your life.
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