Bibliology - Lesson 3 by O. B. (Oscar Brian) Mink

The Word Of The Lord Is Tried One way in which the Bible differs from other books is; the Bible not only invites investigation of its testimony and claims but actually encourages and challenges those who study its pages to subject it to any or all tests by which fact is ascertained. However, we need to keep in the forefront of our (believer's) mind this fact; even native intellectual supremeness is NOT qualified to set in judgment on the Word of God. The most honest thing the natural man can say about the Word of God is, "It is foolishness unto me."

Figurative Language Used In Scripture

Another proof showing the absolute necessity of a spiritual mind for correct understanding of the Bible is; a great portion of the Scripture is written in figurative language. Christ used the terms, "deaf and blind" to show the natural man's utter inability to comprehend the things of the Spirit. (Matthew 13:15-16 & Luke 6:39). Christ refers to His word as the "Water of Life" in His dialogue with the Samaritan woman at the well, but the woman thought He meant some kind of water that would quench her natural thirst. She said to Christ, "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw." (John 4:15). This lowly Samaratin woman and the learned Nicodemus (John 3) misconstrued the figurative language of the Master. So it is with the learned and unlearned in every age. The natural mind is destitute of all ability to understand the word of God, regardless of any and all other ability it may possess.

Study And Obedience - Conditions For The Saved

    There are certain conditions which must be met by the regenerate person before a healthy and consistent growth in grace and knowledge of Christ can be realized. Study of God's word, and obedience thereto are necessary ere proper spiritual maturity can be experienced. Let us illustrate this truth by referring to a practice in the military.
    The Army trains a man for weeks in the art of jungle survival. His life depends on the interest he has in this training. They teach him about the edible and inedible foods indigenous to the area. They teach him about the poisonous snakes and insects and how to treat bites from them. They instruct him to protect himself from the wild animals native to the area. They inform him where safe drinking water can be found, etc., etc. In order for a person to profit from the course of study, he must be serious about the whole, matter. He must believe the word of his instructors. He must be consistent in attending the teaching sessions, lest he miss something of vital importance. He is to make sure he has clear understanding of the subject matter. But diligence in study must be under girded by obedience in the field, else all the diligent study is vain. Before a child of God can know the things of the Spirit as he ought to know them, a prayerful and serious study of the Scriptures is required. But the most dedicated student will profit nothing apart from obedience to the commands of Holy Writ.
   John 7:17, "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine ..." Growth in spiritual stature is dependent on obedience to God's revealed will. "All Scripture is given ... for instruction in righteousness," i.e. obedience. The command of Scripture to the child of God is; "grow up," (Ephesians 4:15, I Peter 2:2, II Peter 3:18), and the indispensable ingredients for spiritual growth is study of God's word and obedience to the Divine precepts. Read Luke 6:47-49 and see how plainly Christ presents the need for study and obedience.
   (Luke 6:47-49) "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: {48} He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. {49} But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."

The Perfect Book And The Perfect Teacher

John 14:26, "But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you ..."
God has given to His people the perfect Book and the perfect Teacher; the Bible and the Holy Spirit. This truth should serve to work in the believer's heart a great spirit of humility. The Bible is God's temple of truth in the world. To open the Bible with the right attitude is like opening a door or veil into the presence of God. The door is straight and narrow and few there be that find it.

Systematic Study

    There must not only be a reverent and humble spirit toward the word of God, there also must be, for the greatest profit, a systematic study of the word.
    II Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
    Confusion and error abound in contemporary Christendom. One of the chief reasons is; professing Christians (including ministers) halfheartedly and superficially study the Bible. Consequently, professing Christendom knows little, to nothing, about Bible doctrine. And sad as it is, it is yet a fact, most professing Baptists are no better off than Christendom, so-called. Every Baptist should know why he is a Baptist and should be able to support his position by Divine precept. Many Baptists get embarrassed when asked to cite Scripture for the reason of their belief. Embarrassment is the inevitable fruit of a loose and superficial study of God's word.
   I Pet. 3:15 "... be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you the reason of hope that is in you ..." To comply with what the Holy Spirit commands in this test nothing less than a dedicated and systematic study of the Bible will suffice.

Divorce Erroneous Conceptions

    Sometimes it is not easy to leave off something a person has esteemed as truth, or some practice that has been with us for many years. But every thought and practice that cannot be supported by the word of God should be dropped without a moments hesitation. There is no greater barrier to spiritual growth than wrong views regarding Bible Doctrine.
    Another thing that hinders spiritual growth is moral dishonesty. I Thessalonians 4:7, "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." God will not bless an immoral life. On the contrary, He will chasten and rebuke the unclean person. When the Christian becomes morally dishonest his spiritual knowledge starts an accelerated decline, and he becomes a prime candidate for destructive heresy.
    Fornication, drunkenness, gambling, etc., should not be so much as mentioned among the saints, except to bitterly denounce them. But one does not have to be guilty of these to be immoral in God's sight. Anything that stands in the way of regular Bible study, though it be as honest as a family picnic, is in God's sight, immoral. Especially so when it stands in the way of worship in the official assembly of the saints.
    Note again John 7:17, "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." The order in this text is; do then know, doing precedes knowing. In the intellectual sphere, man does because he knows. In the spiritual realm, man knows because he acts in obedience to God. This truth is demonstrated in proper stewardship of our material blessings. We do not give because we have, we have because we give. Naaman the Syrian learned that obedience to God was a sure route to the storehouse of Heavens blessings (II Kings 5:14). The more we obey God the more God will reveal Himself to us, but He shuts the door of wisdom against those that rebel against Him. The flames of truth are ignited by the torch of obedience, and the more fires aglow the greater the light.

Mockers In The Last Time

    The Bible, in prophecy, spoke and warned of the coming of mockers (Jude 18). Plainly stated, in the end of the age worldly wise men will make fun of the Bible and ridicule those that follow its teachings. This prophecy is fulfilled in our present day and as the consummation of this age draws nearer the mockers will become murderers of God's people (Matthew 24:9).
    As disciples of Christ what counter measures can we take against these mockers? Walk in obedience to the spiritual light you now have. Pray for further Divine illumination, and walk in obedience to the full measure granted.
    God has placed a singular weapon in the hand of the believer. It is the "Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." The more we use this sword in fighting against our old nature, the more skilled we become in, the over-all battle against sin.
    A hunger and thirst for righteousness coupled with a desire and prayer for spiritual wisdom is the Divine formula whereby the child of God can become a formidable power against evil, for God has promised both on the conditions of desire and request, (Matthew 5:6, James 1:5, I John 5:4). When in our life the Inspirer of the Word of God becomes our Interpreter of the Word; then shall we walk safely and not stumble.

One Verse Summation

Titus 2:7,"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity."
Let us believe the word of God, know why we believe it, and remember that a true and honest walk empowers our talk.

Questions
Lesson - 3

1. What tests is the Bible critic encouraged to subject the Bible to for substantiation of it's claims?

3. Is the figurative language of Scripture a proof showing the necessity of Spiritual mind for correct understanding of the Bible?

4. What two conditions must be met by the regenerate person before growth in grace and knowledge of Christ can be realized?

5. Which book is the perfect book? And who is the perfect teacher of the perfect book?

6. Confusion and error abound in professing Christendom, what, is one of the reasons mentioned in this lesson which contributes to, or helped in to cause this condition?

7. What method of study is necessary in order to realize great profit from the study of Scripture?

10. What is the Divine formula constituting the believer a formidable power against the forces of evil?