Comments on: Magic Books, Grocery Lists and Silent Messiahs: How rightly approaching the Bible shapes the entire Christian Life.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:55:39 +0000

Check out the new TNIV with no chapters and verses at http://thebooksofthebible.info/main.php

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:14:41 +0000

Michael,

One of your best. Quick question. How do you see this approach best working itself out in a small group study setting.

Ciao!

By: Chris Taylor

Chris Taylor — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:11:09 +0000

Hey Michael,
We had to write commentaries on the Mark passage about Jesus calming the storm in a class at church, and I was the only one who went with the “who is this that controls the waves” theme, so I’m glad to see that I didn’t miss the point.

Excellent writing as always! Keep up the good work that helps so many of us out!

By: Lorna

Lorna — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 11:52:46 +0000

such an interesting post and wonderful comments. I’m in outstanding company.

Just wanted to add that a) I hate proof texting and B) uses scripture to beat up people

And then pick up something in a comment
A major componant for Faberez (one whole chapter) is how the preacher/pastor should spend time in prayer about the sermon to be preached.

I wonder if that’s part of the problem, many pastors have little time for prayer and what’s more congregations are busy people too. Christianity has become a Sunday only exercise, and while folk may dip into their scriptures the intimacy, and time with God in prayer is not always there.

as I said the discussion here is a bit out of my league, so please don’t shoot to kill

By: Fighting for a Lost Cause.net

Fighting for a Lost Cause.net — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 20:40:04 +0000

[...] home fighting contact archives rss Saturday, December 3rd, 2005 :: 3:39 PM “Or, for further example, say someone is facing a troubled marriage. He reads and discovers a sentence in ‘Walden’ that says, ‘I did not speak to another person for over a month.’ From this, he concludes that God is telling him to not argue with his spouse. The fact that this is a universe away from what Thoreau meant with that sentence would be irrelevant. This is how we would be using ‘Walden’ as a ‘magic book.’ Recognize the method? I think we all do. [...] This isn’t a book of plans, principles and magic bullets for life’s problems. It is the New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [...] it is possible to be so microscopic that you do miss the most obvious point of all.” (>>) [...]

By: myles

myles — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

this is an unrelated comment, but your email isn’t working for some reason. i tried to write you back about collaborating, but it keeps getting kicked back.

By: imonk

imonk — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Working on my end. Don’t know what the problem is.

Write me at mspencer-AT-oneidaschool.org.

By: ftcmnc

ftcmnc — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Michael,

It sounds like you are advocating a whole, part, whole approach to understanding the bible. In other words you look at the whole of the bible, then look at individual parts and see how they relate back to the whole bible. Is that true? I know I like that approach to learning any subject.

The magic book and grocery list approaches to understanding the bible seem to appeal to those looking for Godly answers to various problems in their daily lives. They want answers now that they can use but neither of the approaches listed seem to work. What do you say or teach to those who want to know how to read and apply the bible to the problems we all encounter in this life?

Finally, I haven’t seen Dr. Fee’s book, but I would like to recommend “Talk Thru the Bible” by Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa.

By: Mark Whittinghill

Mark Whittinghill — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

I concur with recommending Dr. Fee. How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth was very helpful. He would be a good recommendation for Charismatics, as I believe he is Charismatic himself.

By: imonk

imonk — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Yes, he was AofG.

On where we start in understanding the Bible. It’s kindof a chicken/egg argument. But if I were explaining it, sequentially, it would be:

1. Read the book. Hear every author in his own context and in his own situation as best you can.

2. Note when you get to the Final word that lights up the rest of the book. (John 1, Hebrews 1)

3. Read the NT with Christ in his proper place. Hear what the New says about the Old.

4. Now go back and see how the Final Word illuminates the entire Bible. (NT interprets the Christological aspect of the OT.) Luke 24.

So…yeah.