. II Analysis and Inductive Reasoning
. We begin our Bible study with certain assumptions, which are
statements about the Biblical data we are about to face. By
applying deductive reasoning, we make a decision concerning each
particular piece of data.
. But our approach from then on is analytical. That is, we
first separate a passage of the Bible into its constituent parts,
then by applying inductive reasoning to every piece of data, we
gather the particular pieces together to make a whole or
conclusion based upon a careful study of each piece.
. Before we proceed, one point must be stressed. The first step
in Bible study is READ THE BIBLE. Actually, this step is only
obvious intellectually, since in practice it is often neglected.
Sometimes we are lazy; sometimes we think we know what is says
already and don't bother to read it; and sometimes we have
something that seems more urgent at the time. However, there is
no substitute for reading the Bible.
. Reading does not mean that our eyes have traveled over all the
verses and arrived at the end of the passage. Reading means
slowly, carefully reflecting upon each verse. We must get in the
habit of holding a pen or pencil as we read, and mark our Bible.
We underline, draw arrows from one word to another, make a mark in
the margin next to something we might want to concentrate on
later.
. Also, reading does not mean that we read the passage once. We
should become so familiar with it that we have certain facts
already fixed in our minds. A day or so before we seriously begin
to analyze a passage we should read it many times over, then
ponder it from time to time before we actually sit down to study.
this procedure will help to insulate us from the influence of
wrong ideas that might creep in before we begin. Furthermore, if
we read the passage ahead of time, we will see the big picture,
which will help us avoid missing obvious points and guide us in
the right direction later on.
A. Inductive Bible Study Must Begin With ALL the Data.
. This point grows out of the fact that the whole Bible is one
piece of truth (Matthew 4:4, I Timothy 3:16). No matter where we
find a word or idea, if it is in the Bible we must take it into
account.
. This is an extremely important step. Probably most errors are
caused by not including one or two items that were omitted in the
analysis prior to making a conclusion. We use this principle
every day. When we can't find the keys to the car in the morning,
do we just sit in a chair and decide not to go to work? No! We
look for them. We make sure we have considered all possibliities
before we draw a conclusion and then act upon that conclusion. A
good scientist will be sure not to reject any data even though at
the time it doesn't seem relevant.
. Related to the fact that all available data must be
incorporated in our analysis is the fact that only those items
that are in the Bible can be trusted as reliable facts. The
exclusive inventory of data is contained within the Bible alone,
as we read in John 17:17 and Revelation 22:18. Since all the data
within the Bible comes from one source, God, He is therefore the
authority we have to support the reliability of the facts at hand.
Data from any other source comes from an unknown authority. No
matter what anyone claims to the contrary extra-Biblical
information does not come from God. Incorporating such data in an
analysis will necessarily modify our conclusions. Therefore our
analysis, no matter how carefully and skillfully done, cannot be
trusted.
. Finally, we must keep an open mind for missing data. All the
pieces count. So we cannot, as humans with limited ability,
assume we have at the first try properly included all the data.
Whether we have or not is not important in the beginning of our
study. We must strive to do so, but we must always keep our
conclusions tentative until enough time has gone by for us to be
reasonably sure that we have not overlooked any relevant items.
. Now then, how do we go about gathering the data? The answer
is, through observation. Observation is a skill, an acquired
skill, acquired through hours of practice. Observation is not a
matter of just looking at something, but recognizing the value of
a piece of data or of the importance of a relationship between
different pieces of data.
. We greatly increase our powers of observation when we know
ahead of time what we are looking for. It is a lot easier to find
something when we have seen it before. Therefore we must sharpen
our observational skills by becoming familiar with how the Bible
is written. We will then become expectant observers and be more
likely to find something in a passage.
. The variety and intricacy of expression in the Bible is a
delight and the foundation of its beauty. And yet all the
literary forms which we find in the Bible are really nothing more
than a summation of all their verses. We must not be overly
impressed by these literary forms of expression for they must
still be studied objectively. The poetry of the psalms or the
rigorous logic of Romans are composed of verses, one after
another, that must be analyzed for their content. Essentially
they are data banks. We do not rest our case on a form of
literature. Rather we compare the details of a verse with details
in another part of the Bible, no matter where they are found.
This approach is the foundation of an analytical inductive study
of God's Word. For example, we know that the expression in John
1:29, "Behold, the Lamb of God," is a figure. We can decide for
ourselves that Christ is not an animal. Nevertheless only a
careful analysis of the Bible can help us know what we are to
think about the word "Lamb."
. There are so many things to find in the Bible that it will not
be possible in this discussion to list them all. But perhaps the
following list of suggestions will help as we begin our personal
study. Eventually we will learn to recognize things that reoccur
as we do our own research.
. l. We must learn to recognize comparsions. The Bible often
puts together things that are similar in order to add to our
understanding. Some words associated with, but not limited to,
the concept of comparison are: "even so," "so," "as," "likewise,"
"neither," "nor." For example, in II Samuel 18:32 David understood
very well the gruesome comparison which the messenger used to tell
him that his son Abaslom was dead. Also in Matthew 5:48 we read
about the perfect standard of God which we must meet, and attained
only by those in Christ. Sometimes the comparison can be between
two negative things, as we read in Isaiah 59:6.
. 2. Contrasts are also important to notice. A great deal is
learned about one thing by showing how much it is not like
another. Contrasting is essentailly putting together two
opposites in order to point out their different characteristics.
Words that are sometimes associated with contrasts are: "but,"
"however," "rather." Notice, for example, how the great cursing of
God in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 are introduced and separated from the
first 14 verses of that chapter by the little word "but" in verse
15. In another example, the contrast displayed in Ephesians 2:4-5
gives us a reason to rejoice.
. 3. The Bible also contains expressions which emphasize
purpose. There is a reason God wrote the Bible. It is therefore
not surprising to see His plan and purpose expressed many times in
His Word. Sometimes, but not always, the words "that," "in order
that," and "because" are associated with purpose. The concept of
purpose is rooted in the fact of design. God designed the
creation and His salvation. And through the Bible's expressions
of purpose we learn about God's plan. For example, the word of
God expressed in Ephesians 5:25 is seen to be deliberate and
purposeful by the following verse (verse 26).
. Furthermore we learn about God's motivation for doing what He
sets out do do. For example, in Ephesians 1:4 we read that God
shows us His salvation, with not only a plan in mind, but also the
desire that we would be "before Him in love." Furthermore, in
verse 12 the same chapter we see that God is motivated to carry
out His plan of salvation so "that we should be to the praise of
His glory."
. 4. We must learn to recognize conclusions that are frequently
expressed in the Bible. Words like "therefore," "wherefore,"
"thus," "so," are clues that that verse contains a conclusion.
For example, Isaiah 59:16 concludes with the fact that God Himself
must save the human race from sin, since no man was found to do
the job. In another example, Romans 3:20 is the conclusion which
is based on all that has come before.
. 5. We must notice the Bible's use of repetition and
restatement of the same facts in different ways. These two
concepts are exceedingly common in the Bible. They are like the
concept of comparison, yet more explicit.
. Many wrong conclusions have resulted from separating ideas
that are really repetitions or restatements of the same concept.
For example, Psalm 85:1-4 is not a list of different blessings
which God gives, but restatements of the same blessing, namely,
salvation from sin. Therefore the phrases, "Thou hast been
favorable unto the land," "brought back the captivity of Jacob,"
"forgiven the iniquities of Thy people," and "covered all their
sin," are all statements of the same thought. To support this the
psalmist in verse 3 rejoices that he does not have to face the
wrath of God. The real issue of Psalm 85 concerns the spiritual
matter of salvation from sin and its consequent judgment from God.
. Similarly Romans 4:25 is not talking about two different
things. God is not dissecting His plan of salvation by
associating "delivered" with "offenses" and "raised again" with
"justification." In other words, Jesus was not first delivered
(crucified) in order to take care of our offenses and then raised
again so that we could be justified. The removal of our offenses
and our justification are all one thing. Furthermore, they are
dependent upon one complete work of salvation which included both
the death and resurrection of our Lord. In fact, Romans 5:9
rearranges two terms, making justification a result of Christ's
shed blood (delivered). We can get into serious trouble when we
try to separate things that are really different views of the one
idea.
. 6. Sometimes there is a progression in logic that needs to be
recognized. For example, if it is true that nothing can separate
us from the love of God, as the last verses of Romans 8 boast, why
then was the nation of Jews cut off? The answer is found in
Romans 9, 10 and 11. There is therefore a natural, logical
connection between Romans 8 and the following chapters.
. This concept of progression in logic illustrates the danger of
taking the New Testament chapter divisions too seriously. These
chapter breaks are not inspired and can sometimes be a hindrance
to our understanding of a thought that follows from one chapter
into another. For example, the discussion between Jesus and His
disciples in John 13:31 flows smoothly into Chapter 14 without a
break in logical continuity. In John 13:35-37 Peter asks first,
"Whither goest Thou?" and second, "Why cannot I follow Thee now?"
The answer to the first question is found in the next chapter,
Chapter 14, verse 2. Jesus is going to the cross. The answer to
the second question is found in Chapter 14, verses 3-6. The
disciples could not follow Jesus now because He had not yet gone
to the cross. After He had died He would return and show them the
way to go.
. Sometimes the concept of progression is not dealing so much
with a strict logical discussion but rather with a sequence of
events as they commonly occur in the world. For example, Psalm
84:5-7 can be seen as a description of the progress which a
Christian makes through the world. First of all, the phrase,
"whose strength is in thee (God)" in verse 5, when compared to
Exodus 15:2, is seen to be a statement of a person's salvation.
This is supported by the other phrase, "in whose heart are the
ways of them," which is another way of stating that Jesus, the
Way, is in his heart. In the next verse we find that the
Christian journey takes us through the valley of Baca, or weeping,
and this identifies with the trials a Christian must experience in
his pilgrimage. (Compare II Timothy 3:12). But as the journey
continues into verse 7, we see the Christian victorious as he goes
from strength to strength. And finally, at the end of his
journey, he dies and appears before God in Heaven.
. 7. We must learn to recognize the expressions which convey
summary or which convey a principle. Sometimes the Bible helps us
by tying all the different threads of a passage together into one
small statement. That is called a summary. A conclusion is a
particular statement that necessarily follows the logical
argument. A summary, on the other hand, simply restates all the
different parts of the argument in one simple sentence. For
example, verse 27 is a summary of the 12th chapter of I
Corinthians. Everything Paul has been discussing concerning the
details of the different parts of the church really boils down to
the fact that the church is one body of Christ and that the body
is composed of different, equally important members.
. A principle is similar to a summary in that it is a straight-
forward statement of fact. But unlike a summary, it can stand
independent of all the rest of the Bible. A principle is simply a
statement of fact as God presents it, sort of a Bible maxim, like
those found in Proverbs. Principles are not modified by anything
else in the Bible; they are always true in every case, just as
they are read. For example, I Corinthians 4:2 is a statement that
is always true.
. Sometimes principles function as a summary when they come at
the end of a discussion. At other times they function as a thesis
statement, when they lead into a discussion. For example, Romans
8:1, as well as Colossians 3:1, are thesis statements which the
following chapter expands and illustrates.
. 8. We must learn to recognize illustrations in the Bible.
Illustrations and examples abound. They clarify the logic in a
passage and help to apply the principles that God lays down. Two
good illustrations are found in the 12th chapter of Hebrews, one
in verse 2 and the other in verses 14-17.
. 9. We must also be on the lookout for explicit definitions
that the Bible sometimes makes. These definitions are important
because they give terms certain specific meanings and these terms
can then be used as clues to unlock more obscure passages. the
verses in Psalm 119.105 and I John 5:3 contain two of the many
definitions found in the Bible.
. 10. It is important to observe the grammar of a passage. What
is the subject of the sentence? Which nouns are the objects of
the verbs or the prepositions? What are the tenses of the verbs?
What are the modifiers of the verbs and nouns? What is
significant about the prepositions?
. ll. Context is all the verses that surround the part of the
Bible in which we are interested. The context of a verse is the
neighborhood in which we find it. It is, so to speak, the
environment in which a verse is immersed. We must learn to
observe the verses which come before and after the part of the
Bible we seek to understand.
. By the word context we are referring to the Biblical context
alone. The context can be immediate, those words and phrases that
are only a few verses away. Or the context can be extended,
namely, words and phrases that are in different parts of the same
book or in different parts of the Bible. But the context that
matters is always limited to the Bible alone. Some Bible teachers
say that we should include the historical or social context in our
study of a passage, implying that the norms of the society at the
time the passage was written are important for a true
understanding of that passage. But we must face the fact that
such information is extra Biblical. In other words, the
historical information may be very interesting but it is not
admissible evidence in our evaluation of a passage. One of the
assumptions which is foundational to our study of the Bible is
that the Bible is a closed book. We gather data from the Bible
alone. We must not allow anything other than the Biblical data to
influence our analysis and conclusions.
. The value of context rests upon the premise that each verse in
the Bible is related somehow to the passage in which it is found.
We expect, for example, if most of the verses in a passage are
describing a particular subject, that the rest of the verses do as
well. Context is our frame of reference for beginning to think
out what a passage or verse is teaching. By seeking how it fits
into its surroundings we are studying a passage in context.
. Observing the context in our Bible study helps us in two
different ways. First, trying to reconcile each verse in a
passage with the context keeps us on track and less likely to go
off on wild flights of fanciful thought. We may not think
anything we like about a verse but must somehow compare our
thoughts with what is being said by the verses in the
neighborhood. We do not have unlimited choices when we seek the
meaning of a verse; rather, we are constrained in our options by
the meaning of the surrounding verses. Secondly, the context,
immediate or extended, can give us strong clues to the meaning of
difficult verses. We always learn by going from the known to the
unknown. And the more we understand about some verses in the
Bible, the more it will help us with other verses which may not be
so easy to understand.
. Finally, it is important to keep the right balance of
influence between the immediate and the extended context. It is
natural that the immediate context would command so much of our
attention. It is understandable that the verses right there
before our eyes would impress us so much. Furthermore, we should
expect the logic within the immediate context to flow through the
verse in which we are interested. That verse should somehow make
sense in the immediate context. We must not diminish the weight
of the immediate context in our Bible study. However, it is also
a big mistake to ignore the extended context. Both are
needed. Relevant parts of the Bible that are quite removed from
our verse should be consulted, expecially if they contain words
and phrases similar to those which we find in the verse we are
studying comparing the content of the extended context is nothing
more than gathering all the data. We are applying one of the
fundamental assumptions which we made before we began our
investigation of the Bible. Incidentally, not only do we look for
identical words and phrases in other parts of the Bible, but also
we compare similar thoughts as well.
. A good understanding of the concept of context is necessary
for achieving sound results in our study of the Bible. Serious
mistakes will result from a wrong application of context.
Therefore at the end of this booklet a study in Acts 1 is given to
help us properly fix this concept in our minds. It illustrates
the different ways in which the concept of context can be used.
. 12. The Bible also uses irony, exclamatory expressions, and
many other ways of stating truth. Only as we study the Bible for
ourselves will we grow to recognize these different forms of
expression.
. The list of things that we might find in the Bible is very
long. How can we possibly keep all these things in mind as we
search the scriptures? We cannot. Neither should we expect to.
We only need to find a few things in order to begin our own Bible
study. As we mature, we will get better and better, finding
things which we had previously overlooked. Remember, no one has
so mastered the skill of observation that he cannot improve.
Nothing in the Bible is out of our reach because of our lack of
experience. It simply means that it may take quite a long time at
first to find our answers.
. Our powers of observation increase dramatically when we start
by asking the right questions. The art of Bible study is the art
of asking the right questions. Unless we ask the right questions,
we will not receive any helpful answers. For example, a lawyer
asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29). Jesus never
directly answered his question. Instead He taught him that he
must ask the right question, which was `To whom am I a neighbor?'
(Luke 10:36). We know from verse 25 that he did not obtain the
answer he desired, because he was not interested in asking the
right questions.
. Act like a detective. Challenge the Bible. What does each
word mean? Why do some words appear after other words? Is there
a key verse in the passage? What are the contrasts and
comparisons in the verse? Is there a progression, illustration,
command, promise, warning? Notice the logic in every verse. For
example, in I Corinthians 15:57 God does not say that He gives us
the tools to obtain victory on our own, but that He gives us the
victory. And so the outcome of any spiritual conflict is already
an accomplished fact before we enter into the struggle.
. Remember, the Bible is tough. It can take the sternest
inquiry you give it. It can take it and come out vindicated as a
trustworthy document .
. Furthermore, questions are a wonderful motivation. They
stimulate us to think. We are encouraged to find the answers to
questions we pose to ourselves. By nature we love a puzzle and
questions help us to keep thinking about an issue, even when we
are away from our desk.
. As a warning, do not fall into the lazy habit of generalizing
about facts. We must insist on knowing all the specific and
concrete details. We do not know what will turn out to be
important later on. so make sure to have all the facts in front
of you and work overtime to be sure you get the facts accurately.
Get the names, places and exact relationships clearly in your
mind: who, what, where, when, why, how much, how many, how fast.
These and many more precise questions must be asked. We must not
rest until we find precise answers to them. Only specific and
concrete details will allow us to think clearly about a subject.
. Perhaps at this point we might be discouraged at all the rules
that seem to bury us before we even begin our study of God's Word.
One of the greatest assets for Bible study is our natural
curiosity. By no means should our sense of wonder be extinguished
before we begin. And so it is appropriate to emphasize the
importance of just reading and studying the Bible for ourselves.
There is no substitute for our own personal musings and
reflections, separated from the influence of anything else.
. However, it is very easy to ask questions about a passage. It
is possible to wonder about a million things and never resolve one
of them. Therefore rules have value, for they guide our
curiosity. Rules are the tools that help us find answers to the
questions we ask. In fact, if properly used, rules actually
increase our desire to know and allow us to make the most of the
time we spend with the Bible as we go from one discovery to
another.
. The following is an example of only one possible way to note
some observations in the Bible.
. Observations on Psalm 1
. The following describes only some of the observations which
are possible. This is only a sample. Each student must analyze
and research the Bible for himself.
. 1) The word blessed is further clarified in Matthew 5:3-11;
so a line was drawn to the margin with the Matthew passage written
down for future reference.
. 2) The words walk, stand, and sit form a progression which
is described in the margin. The progression describes a deeper
and deeper entrenchment into sin. Men never stand in one spot.
They either go from faith unto faith or, as we observe here, they
go from wickedness to greater wickedness. Romans 6:19 was written
down to support this observation. The symbol "cf" means compare.
Symbols are a valuable shorthand. We may make up our own symbols,
but the key thing is to be consistent, so that we can understand
years later what we observed today.
. 3) A companion progression was written down at the bottom of
the page because no space was found in the margin next to the
first verse. So "v1" was written down to relate this additonal
observation with its proper verse.
. 4) The word not was circled and a line drawn above to observe
that the contrast is expressed in a negative. The contrast is not
a matter of degree but of kind. This is a heightened contrast and
motivated us to write a few words of application: "there must be
a difference," implying that there must be a difference in
behavior between Christians and non-Christians.
. 5) The word way was thought to be significant. Two
observations were made and a verse was written down to support
each one. Acts 9:2 connects the word way to the Gospel. John 14:6
connects the word way to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The three
dots that form a triangle are a symbol that means "therefore."
. 6) The words but and not were connected since it was observed
that they support each other. The three verbs in verse 1 are
really negative verbs; not explains each one, so that the emphasis
is upon the blessed man and what he does not do.
. 7) The word delight was observed to be significant. The
reference Romans 7:22 was written down to indicate what was
thought to be important about this word. A few words were written
down to suggest a possible insight.
. 8) Similarly, the words day and night were underlined with
the word and circled for further emphasis. Nothing else was
noted, but a line could have been drawn to the word delight and
then to the margin, to indicate a possible relationship, such as:
what we spend time on indicates what we delight in.
. 9) The words like and tree were tied together to point out
the logic in this verse. The psalm does not say the blessed man
is a tree, but rather like or similar to a tree. This observation
is a reminder that Christians are like something else, namely,
Christ. Revelation 22:2 was written down to support this.
. 10) The word planted was underlined with a line drawn to the
words in the margin, "God's doing," which is the observation that
it is a transitive verb. Trees do not plant themselves. They
must be planted by someone else. The reference Psalm 92:11,12,13
was written down without comment for perhaps some future study.
. 11) The word fruit was circled and a line drawn to the margin
to the verses Galatians 5:22,23. These verses were written down
as possible clues for later investigation.
. 12) The word whatsoever was tied to the words "in God's will"
written beneath it. This comment limits the meaning of whatsoever
to those things which are in God's will. The comment is not an
observation but a conclusion which we might make, based on our
past experience with the Bible. We must be careful with comments
like this since they tend to be interpretations. However, they
can sometimes be helpful in analyzing a verse. The symbol "i.e"
means "that is."
. 13) The word chaff was circled. A line could have been drawn
to the word tree in verse 3, to emphasize a contrast. But lest
the Bible page become too confusing to look at, a line was drawn
instead to the margin. This connected it to the observation that
chaff is a dead thing and in that sense the opposite of the word
tree. The verse Ephesians 2:1 was written down to make a
spiritual observation about deadness.
. 14) The word therefore was circled simply for emphasis.
. 15) The word ungodly was underlined, with a line drawn to the
symbol 4X below it. This symbol indicates that we observe the
word ungodly 4 times in this short psalm (vs. 1, vs. 4, vs. 5 and
vs. 6). Sometimes the observation won't mean anything to us at
the time, but just noting it will help us think things out in the
future.
. 16) The verb knoweth was underlined and tied to the verse II
Timothy 2:19 written below the verse. II Timothy 2:19 is a
comment on one possible meaning of that word; and the word
salvation was added to clarify why that verse was cited. Also the
words pres. tense were written to observe that the verb is in the
present tense.
. 17) The word way was circled both times it occurred in verse
6. Furthermore, a few words were added to emphasize that they are
not referring to the same thing. One refers to the way of the
righteous, the other to the way of the ungodly. The symbol "cfv1"
means, compare verse l, which also contains the word way.
. 18) The explanation, "God knows Christ," refers to the
observation in logic. The phrase, The Lord knoweth, refers not to
the righteous, but to the way. The symbol, three dots that form a
triangle, means therefore. This symbol introduces the conclusion
that our security first of all is based upon Christ's relationship
with His Father.
. 19) The word perish is linked to the verse John 3:16; and the
word hell written below it narrows the choices we have in the
future when we return later to analyze this psalm.
. 20) At the very bottom of the page an attempt was made to
grasp an overall picture of Psalm 1. Since both godly and ungodly
men were described, and since their present life as well as their
future was described, the whole psalm was synthesized into one
statement. The statement was hopefully general enough in order
not to steer our minds away from anything else the psalm might be
teaching, and meaningful enough to help us make some sense out of
the many different parts of the psalm.
. At this point it is appropriate to add a word of caution. The
marks and notes in your Bible will cause you to think in the same
way each time you look at the page. These marks are good for
reference if they are well done. But they are bad when we wish to
do some new research on the same passage. Therefore it is wise
sometimes to pick up an unmarked Bible for a fresh look at an old
passage, without any notes or marks to distract us.
B. Inductive Bible Study Progresses With a Plan.
. What do we do with all the data we have gathered? We must
have a plan for anything we wish to do, and certainly for
something as important as God's Word.
. 1) Our plan must include a way of sorting out all the data we
have gathered. First of all, we must acquire the habit of making
lists. Listing the data helps us to discover if we neglected to
take into account all the data. Listing forces us to spend some
time with each fact. Lists help us to acquire a perspective on
the sometimes very complex body of data.
. By perspective I mean that, with a properly written list, we
can see which data is more important or relevant to the issue at
hand. We find that as we study an issue, we will be on the
lookout for specific information, and it will sometimes pop up
from the background in a list. Also a proper perspective includes
the ability to notice common threads that tie many verses
together.
. 2) This leads us to another very important concept:
synthesis. Synthesis is a word used to describe the process of
combining similar things that complete or reinforce an idea, of
which each bit of data is a part.
. When we see what many different verses have in common and are
able to combine them into one group and give that group a label,
we are synthesizing these verses. For example, a synthesis of a
simple compact list of verses, such as Galatians 5:19-23, would
give us the following result: the combination of verses 19-21
with the title "an inventory of an unsaved person's life" and the
combination of verses 22 and 23 with the title, "an inventory of a
saved person's life."
. We can also try to synthesize an extended passage, like one or
two chapters. Let us take John 7 and part of John 8 as an
illustration. First we observe the following. In verse 5 Jesus'
brothers made their own assessment or judgment of Him. In verse
12 the people in general judged Jesus. In verse 15 it was the
Jews' turn to judge Him. And in verse 50 a fourth assessment is
given by Nicodemus. We could give John 7 the following label:
"mankind tries to judge God." Incidentally, notice in this case
how significant verse 24 is.
. Now that mankind has had its day, it is God's turn to judge.
And so we are not surprised that a synthesis of Chapter 8 results
in: "God judges man." Notice the following thread that ties the
verses of Chapter 8 together. In verse 6 Jesus is acting just
like God, who also used His finger to give the law, as we read in
Exodus 31:18. In verse 12 Jesus describes Himself as the Light of
the world. We know from John 3:19 that one of the functions of
light is to expose men's sin. In addition, verses 17 and 18
concerning the testimony of two men is a reference to judgment
rendered upon a sinner and is taken from Deuteronomy 19:15. In
the case of John 8 the two witnesses are God the Father and God
the Son. Therefore we have synthesized a rather large passage in
the Bible and our result has been two groups of verses which
complement each other.
. Synthesis has two important advantages. First, through
synthesis we find the common denominator among many different
verses, and therefore gain an insight into how to understand more
obscure verses within the same passage. Second, synthesis aids
our memory. The labels we put on groups of verses help us to keep
their content and location in the Bible in our minds.
. We must be careful not to misunderstand what synthesis has
provided. We are not making an interpretation about the verses
but simply attempting to gather things together that have
something in common. We must not attach too much significance to
the description we place upon the group of things we put together.
Synthesis is only a method we use to help us manage a large body
of data by combining and labeling some of that data.
. Incidentally, synthesis is an excellent exercise in helping us
to understand some of the big truths in the Bible. For example,
we might try to take a passage of scripture, a chapter, a psalm;
or, when we are really good at it, a whole book, and write out the
main point in one sentence. Finding the common denominator among
a large amount of verses is very hard to do and forces us to see
the forest as well as the trees. It keeps us honest, since we
will not so easily go off on some tangent that is not really
related to the passage at hand. Some people like to synthesize
data by outlining the passage first. From this they can then set
down in one clear sentence exactly the intent of the whole.
. 3) A plan or a program helps to direct our thoughts. If we
deliberately plan to accumulate data related to one idea, we can
work more efficiently as we discard unrelated date. Like
questions, a plan helps to motivate us, to keep us plugging away
at our study, since progress is taking shape before us. The plan
we use is a challenge to us. We are driven to accomplish our
goal..." I will get the main idea of Romans Chapter 8."
C. Inductive Bible Study Continues By Forming a Conclusion Based
On the Data.
. The Bible is not a cookie jar with a mouth too small to
extract anything out of it. We study it because we know there are
things in there for us to find. We can be quite definitive about
what we find if we have done our homework. Conclusions are
expected from our study, and we should be bold to state what they
are within the arena of our available data. Truth is black or
white, right or wrong. God is not a God of confusion but of
order. We can make very specific and detailed statements about
what the Bible teaches. The God of the Bible is a God of detail
(Matthew 10:30). Look carefully at a flower if you do not believe
it. Everything that God does and says has order and purpose. The
Bible is not a collection of stories or mystical obtuse sayings.
It is a unified, carefully structured volume of truth. The
creation is a beautiful integrated whole, with each part carefully
designed for a specific purpose. Therefore we should expect God's
spiritual truth to be just as specific and clearly delineated as
any other of His works.
. When we get this far in our study, we should ask a very
revealing question: "Am I able to explain clearly in my own
words, in one or two simple sentences, what the point is that I
came to?" Remember, when we summarize all the data, we are trying
to distill one truth at a time. If we cannot express it simply,
we probably do not know what it is, or at the very least do not
understand it very well. This kind of test is valid because
writing makes an exact man and reveals in the harsh light of the
next day the durability, accuracy and clarity of the conclusion we
were so excited about the previous night.
. At this point we should be warned not to establish a pattern
in our thinking too quickly. We must make absolutely sure that we
have gone over all the data before we begin to direct our thinking
in a certain pattern. When we make the decision too early in our
analysis that the data requires a certain conclusion, we could
create problems for ourselves. As much as we hate to admit it, it
is very difficult to abandon a decision at which we have
personally arrived. It is very hard to change once we have
settled upon a conclusion, even in the face of evidence to the
contrary. This resistance is rooted in the pride we have in our
accomplishments: "We figured it out ourselves and how dare anyone
question our hard work?"
. Furthermore, snap decisions reduce our effectiveness in
discovering truth by depriving us of the inclination to abruptly
try any new patterns of thought that occasionally show themselves
by surprise. Some of the most interesting and valuable lessons
are learned when we have stumbled upon them as we were pursuing
another unrelated idea. Keeping an open mind for a longer period
of time allows us to take advantage of things that pop up along
the way.
. We must always be willing to change if the evidence presents
itself. Besides, humility becomes a Bible student. After all,
who are we, sinners saved by grace, to show any airs when we study
the Word of our Almighty King? Remember, any insight we do
receive is only a gift of God anyway.
. As a final word about conclusions, we must always keep in mind
that arriving at a clear understanding of a passage and being
satisfied with our conclusion does not mean we know all that is
worth knowing about that passage. We will never exhaust the
content of a passage of the Bible no matter how many thoughts we
have extracted. Therefore we should expect to find other insights
later on and we should welcome the contributions of others.
D. Inductive Bible Study Includes a Test of Our Conclusions.
Always keep in mind that truth will stand the test of scrutiny
of its own accord. Truth is durable. We do not have to worry
about its ability to withstand examination. If our conclusion is
based upon sound study, we do not have to defend it. It will
defend itself. Those who become concerned about challenges to
their position usually argue loudly because that is all it is -
their position. We must have a peace of mind about what we
conclude. If our study has integrity, let it be challenged.
After all, we couldn't be happier if we were found to be wrong and
were corrected in our thinking. And if our conclusion stands, all
praise should be to God for His truth. Remember, God will only
defend His truth. If what we hold is truth, God will see that it
stands the test of time. Popularity means nothing. And if we are
really seeking truth, God will either correct us or make the
conclusion to be a blessing to us and to others.
Not only that, whenever we present a conclusion it should be
the result, if properly done, of much study and time. We must
allow others the opportunity to challenge and struggle with our
conclusions. Not only do we know that God has had to do a lot of
work in our lives to force us to face truth, but also we know that
unless God reveals truth to others, much speaking will not
convince them of our view. We must never compromise, if we have
done our homework. However, we must always gently bring the truth
with an open mind and leave it there if it doesn't make sense to
others.
This step in inductive Bible study means that we must be on
the look-out for ideas that might be in contradiction to what we
have concluded. We must be willing to reconcile our conclusions
with whatever else the Bible teaches. For example, we might
conclude that we take part in our own salvation from the
expression "received Him" in John 1:12. But a comparison with
John 3:27 pulls the curtain back further on God's salvation plan
and shows us that even this response of ours was in God's hand.
1) One excellent way to test our conclusion is to play the
adversary. We might deliberately, in the privacy of our own mind,
so our ego won't be at stake, take the other side of our
conclusion and try to prove ourselves wrong. This step of
inductive Bible study is not taken at once. It might be years in
fact before a serious challenge to our conclusion presents itself.
We must always be willing to face any correction, whether from
what other people point out or from our ever maturing Christian
walk and our understanding of God's Word.
2) It is good to discuss our studies with others. Exposure
will keep our study honest. But whenever we do talk, especially
if it is a new idea for us, we must talk humbly. We dare not
paint ourselves in a corner so that we must seek to save face
somehow when we are shown to be wrong. We all know what kind of
people we are and how prone we are to hold onto something because
we personally identify with it. Our confidence in a conclusion
that we have reached must be based upon knowledge. Have we
personally done our homework on this issue, or do we have a
stubborn loyalty to a teacher, denomination, friend, church, or
whatever? It is better to keep a low profile for a while, until
our conclusions pass at least a few challenges and until a few
months go by without any serious unresolved questions.
3) Another way to test our conclusion is to ask the following
question: "Can I find another passage in the Bible that teaches
the same thing or is my conclusion an isolated case?" We should
be circumspect about the validity of our conclusion if we cannot
find a similar thought elsewhere.
There is a valuable result from testing your conclusion. Many
times in the crucible of defense from a particularly ardent and
skillful challenge, we discover whole new truths. Blessings come
even if the challenge is successful and our conclusions fail.
Remember that as we study God's Word we are visiting with God, and
He is working upon us to shape us as well as show us His truth.
Finally, keep in mind that none of our conclusions, even a
correct one, are so wonderfully perfect that they cannot stand
improvement. Sometimes a challenge will not shake the firm basis
of our conclusion, but on the other hand we can be grateful for
small modifications that tidy up our thinking and help us to
present our conclusions more clearly.
E. Inductive Bible Study Concludes With Application.
Not only do we ask, "What does the passage say?" and "What
does the passage mean?" but also, "What does the passage mean to
me?" We must put legs upon what we study. While we apply
scientific priciples to the Bible in an honest investigation for
specific truth, the Bible is not just another subject to fill up
credits at some school. We are never the same person when we
spend time in the Bible. Furthermore we are responsible for what
we know - in our own obedient walk before God and in our
evangelistic obligation to those around us. We can approach this
last step by asking a series of questions.
1) What does the Bible teach about my personal faith: e.g.,
what do I learn about God, the Father? The Son? The Holy Spirit?
What do I learn about the salvation story? The cross? Hell?
Heaven? Sin? The church? Judgment? Satan? God's will and
decree?
2) What about my attitude? How shall I think because of this
passage? How does this passage have an impact on my emotions?
Fears? Worries? Hates? Resentments? Jealousies? Gratitude?
Friendship? Grace? For example, in Philippians 4:6-8 notice the
word "think" in verse 8.
3) What about my actions? What shall I do because of this
passage? Do I change my habits? Do I stop doing something? Do I
start doing something? How am I supposed to speak now? How do I
handle my time? My resources? Verbs in the passage at hand help
here. For example, Philippians 4:6,7. Notice what you must not
do in verse 6, and what you must do in verse 6. What are the
results in verse 7?
4) Warnings. What sins are pointed out in my life? What must
I do with them? What must I stop doing? What must I start doing?
What must I forsake? What must I hold onto? What sins are mine?
The church's? Mankind's in general? How will God deal with this
sin? For example, Galatians 5:19-26. Notice how strong this is.
We are normally more gentle withn ourselves than the Bible is.
5) Challenges. Is there some job I must do? Is there some
prayer I should make? To whom is the challenge directed? How can
I equip myself to begin? For example, Matthew 28:19,20, I
Thessalonians 5:17.
6) Examples. Is there a life I should follow? Not follow?
For example, Romans 4:12, Hebrews 12:2.
7) Promises. What can I thank God for? What can I rejoice
in? What can I claim as a child of God? Are there any conditions
I must meet first? For example, Acts 16:31, Romans 8:38,39.
To repeat, application means to have the truths of scripture
fulfilled in our lives. We must want to do something about what
we learn. We don't say when we have learned something from the
Bible, "Yes, that's nice; some day I'll write a book about it."
But we say, "Lord, help Thou my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
As an additional thought, it is possible to consider
application as a kind of a test. We can ask, "Does my conclusion
lead me to live a life that is God glorifying?" If it does, my
conclusion could be essentially correct. But experience is a weak
test. From our experiences in life we learn about the
reasonableness of our own conclusions only. We must not make
judgments about Biblical truth based upon our experiences.
While our souls have been saved and are cleansed from sin,
Romans 7:24 emphasizes that we still live in a sinful body. We
cannot altoghether trust subjective opinions based upon our
experience. On the other hand, truth is objective. A conclusion
is right because it is right, not because we can live with it.
Nevertheless, the Bible, being the type of book it is, is meant to
edify us spiritually and glorify God through those who trust and
obey it. Bad Bible study leads to bad conclusions and bad
application. But Bible study conclusions that lead to a God
glorifying life are candidates for being correct.