How does one discover and understand truth in the Bible?

[SSTeacher]

It seems to me that the Reformation doctrine of Sola Scriptura and its cognate variations of Prima Scriptura and SOLO Scriptura cannot of themselves authoritatively define truth so their proponents are forced to suppose they have it before they even pick up a Bible. But if truth is merely supposed then error could well be true. So the inevitable conclusion seems to be that the Reformation doctrine of Sola Scriptura and its attendant variations make objective truth completely inaccessible because they treat truth and error as equals and shunt both into the nebulous realm of what people suppose or have always understood to be true or not true.

So how does one discover and understand truth in the Bible? There seem to be a limited number of avenues. Which of the following makes the most sense to you, and why:

a) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to me through my pastor who helps me to understand Biblical truth by presenting and explaining it to me in sermons.

b) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to me through my Sunday school class wherein I listen to my Sunday school teacher who is able to draw out Biblical truth and help me understand it during class discussions.

c) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to me through our small group whereby I’m led to perceive and understand Biblical truth through the opinions voiced by the people therein.

d) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to me when I read the Bible for myself and use the footnotes in order to discover and understand the Biblical truth that is hidden in the difficult verses and passages.

e) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to me when I read the Bible for myself and when I read Bible commentaries so as to compare the opinions of different commentators in order to arrive at an understanding of Biblical truth.

f) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to me when I read the Bible for myself using the footnotes in order to discover and understand the Biblical truth that is hidden in the difficult verses and passages and whenever I read Bible commentaries for the same reason and whenever I attend courses on personal Bible study methods and listen to the lecturer presenting and explaining Biblical truth thus helping me to understand it.

g) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to me only through the inspired text of the Bible itself so because I recognize that Bible commentators and Bible lecturers aren’t inspired I read a Bible in isolation without reference to the notes, books or opinions of fallible human beings since all that’s necessary for understanding Biblical truth is me, Jesus and the King James Bible.

h) I believe the Holy Spirit speaks with the same voice to all Christians through the Church, which is how we got the Bible in the first place, so I don’t have to rely upon my own understanding but am able to look with confidence to the Church to explain to me not only what is true but also what is not true.

Reasonably,
Mick

 

[StillWondering]

I know this does not directly answer your question but I wanted to participate. Note that I’m a learning Catholic, in no way do I know what is going on.

I believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to me in my daily activities and admonishes me to do what’s right even if I resist. Often I fail to listen. What happens then when I read the bible, it gives me a stern slap in the face when I see again what I should have listen to in the first place when I do not listen. Or occasionally I get a big smile when I read the bible if I did listen to the Holy Spirit. These feelings I believe are also from the Holy Spirit.

 

[SSTeacher]

I know this does not directly answer your question but I wanted to participate. Note that I’m a learning Catholic, in no way do I know what is going on.

I believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to me in my daily activities and admonishes me to do what’s right even if I resist. Often I fail to listen. What happens then when I read the bible, it gives me a stern slap in the face when I see again what I should have listen to in the first place when I do not listen. Or occasionally I get a big smile when I read the bible if I did listen to the Holy Spirit. These feelings I believe are also from the Holy Spirit.

StillWondering,

Thank you for your post.

Appreciatively,
Mick

 

[Publisher]

Friends(my branch of Quakerism anyway) see the Bible as a record of humanities search for God…and a glimpse into that moment in time that such beliefs about God flourished.

Friends beleive that any understanding of the Bible is to be rooted and understood in light of Jesus of Nazareth. Friends believe that any understanding of the Bible is rooted and grounded not in it’s stories of miracles…but in it’s call to “love one another”…“feed the hungry”…“clothe the naked”…“do good”…“as far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men…”

When seeking to understand the “deep things of the Spirit”…it is the Spirit Himself who reveals Truth to the human heart.

Yes, many interpretations exist…for the Bible came to us in layers upon layers of tradition. The writers of the Bible did not write as a single voice…but as each struggling to convey the Truth of what they had come to believe about God.

Those writers of the New Testament sought to explain in writing the experience they had concerning the man Jesus. The fledgeling Christian community struggled to hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit.

It is not some magical book…it points to the Light…it is not the Light itself.

From “Faith & Practice” of Philedephia Yearly Meeting…" Given the Bible’s importance in shaping the ways Friends have expressed their experience of the Presence and leading of God an its power to illumine our worship and our vocal ministry, we are encouraged to know it well.
We do not, however, consider scriptures, whether Hebrew or Christian or those of other religous faiths, to be the final revealtion of God’s nature and will. Rather, we believe in continuing revelation. This term emphasizes our ongoing communion with the Living God, our expanding sensitivity in our relationships with one another, and our growing knowledge of the universe."…"It offers the words to express the guidance that can flow from our responsiveness to the Light Within, as in Amos’ call that we “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream”, as in Jesus’ citing the two great commandments and as in Paul’s injunction that we speak the truth in love. Yet more importantly, the Bible offers us hope, as in Jesus’ assurance: “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you shal find; knowck and it shall be opened to you.”

 

[Reuben_J]

I know this does not directly answer your question but I wanted to participate. Note that I’m a learning Catholic, in no way do I know what is going on.

I believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to me in my daily activities and admonishes me to do what’s right even if I resist. Often I fail to listen. What happens then when I read the bible, it gives me a stern slap in the face when I see again what I should have listen to in the first place when I do not listen. Or occasionally I get a big smile when I read the bible if I did listen to the Holy Spirit. These feelings I believe are also from the Holy Spirit.

Great post for someone who says he’s a learning Catholic!

You are almost at it. BTW, welcome to the forum.

Mick (the OP), I would say the truth of the Bible is not hidden. It is simple to understand by itself and when it is not so very clear, the understanding of it is kept in the treasure of the Church Magestrium through the Sacred Tradition. The truth is already revealed by the Holy Spirit to the Bible writers and the Church is only keeping and protecting that truth. Some of us have impediment in listening to that Church and as a result not able to open the the mystery of the Kingdom. Something about like little children is required at times.

The Holy Spirit empowers and strengthen a believer in living the life as espoused by the Bible. The Holy Spirit is good at this - he corrects and affirms us through the word of God. He protects us through the word from the lies of the Evil One (the word being the sword of the Spirit). He inspires us through the word. We need to discover that ourselves sometimes, but honestly, the truth in never hidden from God’s children.

God bless.

 

[Jesus_123]

Lectio Divina (divine reading) . . .

*For my soul *. . . the Benedictine Oblate Formation Booklet of the Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania here in the United States has been an absolute . . . treasure . . . of insights regarding the holy daily reading of Sacred Scripture . . .

These wise monks share from their vast . . . **Order of St. Benedict’s **. . . centuries of insight and practice regarding understanding . . . *the wonder *. . . of in-depth experience of reading Sacred Scriptures . . . about the treasure they call . . . “**Lectio Divina **(divine reading)” . . . which deals with the literary level of holy writings in Christendom believed to be especially blessed and anointed of God . . . of which the **Holy Bible **is the highest order . . . unique above all other writings as the Holy :bible1: Word of God . . . and as such . . . when prayerfully read . . . as understood to be written through men by the Holy Spirit of God . . . the **True Author **of the **Holy Bible **. . . our Wonderful Counselor . . . who is abundantly available to help regarding the reading and understanding of same . . . it will always bear good fruit . . . The recommended method is that we . . . *slow down radically *. . . when reflecting on Sacred Scripture . . . so as to . . . open up freely . . . to the treasury of holy insights and holy wisdom contained therein . . .

“It is the monastic insight that reading, if it be authentic, cannot be undertaken simply with the eyes and the mind. Rather it must involve the whole person: mind, heart, body and spirit. It is reading NOT so much for information as for formation, that is, for encounter with the living God in this moment in such a way that one’s heart catches fire and one’s life is transformed. … In St. Benedict’s day reading a sacred or spiritual text was practiced not so much for the sake of ‘information,’ but rather in order to be ‘formed’: that is, to be inwardly changed or shaped. … If we are to rediscover St. Benedict’s insights, we must read … in a spirit of Lectio Divina …” Thus the aim of ‘reading’ … (i.e., pondering the verses … in a slow , prayerful way) is to dispose ourselves to welcome God’s ever-present grace and His efforts to conquer our hearts and transform us more and more into a holy people, other-Christs.”

Below is a sharing from our Benedictine Spirituality Forum regarding **Lectio Divina **. . . by Kristen our moderator . . . regarding a new book out covering this holy way of reading Sacred Scripture . .

**
“If
Lectio Divina**
is effectively promoted,
this practice will bring to the Church
– I am convinced –
a new spiritual springtime.”
–Pope Benedict XVI

One of the most vital and beautiful aspects of Benedictine spirituality is Lectio Divina, the prayerful reading of sacred texts. Dr. Tim Gray (a seminary professor and co-developer of The Great Adventure Bible study) makes this ancient practice practical for anyone seeking spiritual growth and holiness in his packed but slender book

Link: [Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (http://www.catholiccompany.com/cath...cripture-Change-Introduction-to-Lectio-Divna/).

In fewer than 130 pages, *Praying Scripture for a Change *introduces the concept of Lectio Divina, and then logically devotes a chapter to each of the five “rungs” of the “ladder” of Lectio Divina: lectio (read), meditatio (meditate), oratio (pray), contemplatio (contemplate) and operatio (apply). The chapters include “walk-through” examples of the different rungs. This book is an easy read, but best done slowly, doubling back over rich passages. …

I was also impressed by the:* Imprimatur by Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, well-known to be faithful to the teachings of the Church

• many quotes from Pope Benedict XVI
• use of the trusted RSV-CE translation of the Bible
• author’s use of humor (including citing St. Augustine’s pre-conversion prayer: “O Lord, make me chaste. But not yet.” [p. 18])

This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina.

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . Holy Blessed St. Benedict+
. . . guide and direct+​

 

[SkinnyJay]

H, final answer.

The reason why is because I know I am not even close to knowledgeable enough to understand the Bible and all it’s special teachings in my lifetime. So I listen to what people before me say on the subject. I still read and learn to appreciate the truths on my own, listening for the Spirit but in the intervening time it takes me to get to the subject and study it I believe what the Church professes.

 

[jrtrent]

Item h is the obvious answer. Luther, in his larger catechism, tells us the Holy Ghost speaks to us through the Church (“He first leads us into His holy congregation, and places us in the bosom of the Church, whereby He preaches to us and brings us to Christ.”), but I see items a, b, and c as subsets of h, and, depending on the particular study Bible and/or commentaries and/or workshop you’re using, d, e, and f might by subsets of h also. Only g would necessarily be excluded as a legitimate way to discover and understand Biblical truth. Reformed theologian Louis Berhkof in his Systematic Theology stresses the fact that the correct understanding and interpretation of divine revelation “can only result from the continual prayers and meditation, from the study and struggles, of the Church of all ages.” He says no one Christian and not even one generation could ever accomplish the task, but that we must build on the foundation laid in the historical creeds of the church.

 

[ferdie]

It is hard to discover and understand the truth in the bible. One needs guidance. If we are to understand and discover all the truth in the bible, then we need teachers, guidance from approved authorities, and I think it doesn’t matter how smart we are, we all need guidance. Not all are prophets, teachers, apostles, etc.

 

[thirdn6]

h is my answer.

My short explanation…

When I was a child my parents always wanted me to show obedience and respect. Even when I was in elementary school we were graded in obedience, respect, patience, godliness, industriousness, etc. Of course I’ve had low grades . My mother always took me to church with her and so it occurred to me gradually that she herself was also obeying what she had learned from the Church. We were poor. I always remember she’d tell us that there was nothing that we could inherit from them (my parents) but the virtue of godliness. Now- I am so grateful.

When I was a child I do not know what was ‘theological’ truth and what was not. No way. A HS classmate then gave me a bible. I read it patiently from the first page to the last. Was I looking for truth? No. I don’t know I’d have to. I learned about some biblical history (confirmed in our history subject in school), about Jesus- his life, death, and resurrection, and why there is a Catholic Church. I did not look for truth but searched for knowledge, wisdom, virtues, and godliness in the scripture. That’s what I did.

I figured I could not in any way interpret on my own difficult passages in the bible. Then I began to read more from other books what the Church teaches and what was considered heresies. I began to appreciate the authority of the Church- that the Holy Spirit really abides in her and to guide her to all truths until the end of time. That means she will continue to evolve in order to determine what is good for the flock and what is not good. Now that the spirit of worldliness is all over the place truth became important. And when I go back to my bible I’d find that it speaks of future false prophets and deceivers. Deceivers of many - even of the elect! And so whom will I believe? Certainly, only what the Catholic Church says is only what I will believe.