"Evolutionizing" Scripture
Boy, talk about a controversial title!
But this is what it is: making scripture my own.
Great and mighty scholars have written scores of commentaries about the Word of God. Verses have been dissected and analyzed and interpreted and transposed. Highly intelligent folks have taken chunks and bits and sections of the Bible, and they tell us what this means and what that means. Many have invested their entire lives in sorting out the Word of God for those with less intelligence or ability.
All fine and good. I appreciate their investment. However.
I am not a great and mighty mind. I am a believer in Jesus Christ, everyday, ordinary, who simply wants with all my heart to understand and apply scripture to my situations, to my issues, and in my everyday ordinary life. Because I have accepted Christ, I have the Holy Spirit resident in my heart. He helps me discern spiritually things too great and mighty for me to comprehend naturally. So, while I appreciate those commentaries, appreciate their dedication and tenacity, their faithfulness ... NEVERTHELESS ... I need revelation, understand, and comprehension of the Word FOR MYSELF. In every day english, and in bites and chunks I can chew and digest and USE.
God is so faithful. Somewhere, someone showed me this exercise. It is a tool that works for me. When I use it, the Word comes alive - real - I see it, I understand it, and I can apply it. It works, every time. The seed doesn't go void (Isaiah 55:10-11) but accomplishes what God intends and prospers in my life, just like God's Word says it will.
Begin with a verse you are already familiar with, maybe one that speaks to your life or current situation. Set yourself a timeframe to study that verse, say a week or 3 days of devotions. You will begin with that verse, and go wherever the Holy Spirit sends you. Write it out double spaced, with lots of blank space around it. Write it out first in your favorite version --- I am a New King James version, but I really like studying side-by-side with both an Amplified and a NIV, just because they both use different words, which often give flavor and insight and connection. Write it out, then lightly underline all the words which illuminate what the Word is saying - verbs, adverbs, adjectives ... describing words, this-is-like-that phrases (metaphors and similies). Read the other versions -- New Living is an interesting read, as well as New American Standard. And, incidentally, go to thrift stores and garage sales for bibles - not only less expensive and very plentiful, lots of times you get cool nuggets from the believers who loved and highlighted before you!
After you have circled, highlighted, or underlined, above the scripture in some blank space write other words that have similar meaning (a Thesaurus or dictionary comes in handy). Then read the Word, with the new words written in. Let it roll around in your spirit like a wonderful bite of cheesecake, or a rich wine. Savor it. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your understanding. Let it settle down in your spirit, then go back and read it again just as it comes right from the Word ... you will be amazed how rich and full it becomes. You will not ever see that word again without the fullness.
I AM NOT ADVOCATING CHANGING THE WORD --- God wrote it, I believe it, that settles it. What I am advocating is cracking the bone to get all the rich marrow out and nourishing my spirit. It works for me - I hope it will work for you, too.
Be blessed!
:) Kim
But this is what it is: making scripture my own.
Great and mighty scholars have written scores of commentaries about the Word of God. Verses have been dissected and analyzed and interpreted and transposed. Highly intelligent folks have taken chunks and bits and sections of the Bible, and they tell us what this means and what that means. Many have invested their entire lives in sorting out the Word of God for those with less intelligence or ability.
All fine and good. I appreciate their investment. However.
I am not a great and mighty mind. I am a believer in Jesus Christ, everyday, ordinary, who simply wants with all my heart to understand and apply scripture to my situations, to my issues, and in my everyday ordinary life. Because I have accepted Christ, I have the Holy Spirit resident in my heart. He helps me discern spiritually things too great and mighty for me to comprehend naturally. So, while I appreciate those commentaries, appreciate their dedication and tenacity, their faithfulness ... NEVERTHELESS ... I need revelation, understand, and comprehension of the Word FOR MYSELF. In every day english, and in bites and chunks I can chew and digest and USE.
God is so faithful. Somewhere, someone showed me this exercise. It is a tool that works for me. When I use it, the Word comes alive - real - I see it, I understand it, and I can apply it. It works, every time. The seed doesn't go void (Isaiah 55:10-11) but accomplishes what God intends and prospers in my life, just like God's Word says it will.
Begin with a verse you are already familiar with, maybe one that speaks to your life or current situation. Set yourself a timeframe to study that verse, say a week or 3 days of devotions. You will begin with that verse, and go wherever the Holy Spirit sends you. Write it out double spaced, with lots of blank space around it. Write it out first in your favorite version --- I am a New King James version, but I really like studying side-by-side with both an Amplified and a NIV, just because they both use different words, which often give flavor and insight and connection. Write it out, then lightly underline all the words which illuminate what the Word is saying - verbs, adverbs, adjectives ... describing words, this-is-like-that phrases (metaphors and similies). Read the other versions -- New Living is an interesting read, as well as New American Standard. And, incidentally, go to thrift stores and garage sales for bibles - not only less expensive and very plentiful, lots of times you get cool nuggets from the believers who loved and highlighted before you!
After you have circled, highlighted, or underlined, above the scripture in some blank space write other words that have similar meaning (a Thesaurus or dictionary comes in handy). Then read the Word, with the new words written in. Let it roll around in your spirit like a wonderful bite of cheesecake, or a rich wine. Savor it. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your understanding. Let it settle down in your spirit, then go back and read it again just as it comes right from the Word ... you will be amazed how rich and full it becomes. You will not ever see that word again without the fullness.
I AM NOT ADVOCATING CHANGING THE WORD --- God wrote it, I believe it, that settles it. What I am advocating is cracking the bone to get all the rich marrow out and nourishing my spirit. It works for me - I hope it will work for you, too.
Be blessed!
:) Kim
posted by godtalker77 at 8:59 AM
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