Threads from Henry's Web

Tag: scholarship

  • Psalm 119:18

    Psalm 119:18

    Open my eyes and I will see
    Wonderful things from your Torah.

    In my infographic on Seven Barriers to Hearing the Word the third barrier is making your Bible study a scholarly, rather than a spiritual pursuit.

    Now let me be clear that I’m not against scholarship. Reading biblical languages and understanding various scholarly areas of study that relate to Bible study are quite valuable. But as a believer, I take a further step. I am looking for God. Not just theology, but relationship. Not just knowledge but understanding and even friendship.

    The Psalmist knows that there is more to be learned in God’s law (here he uses the word Torah), than just knowing the definitions of words, lists of commands, and proper rituals. There is a deeper meaning to be found, and when you’ve found that, there is one even deeper.

    Keep at it, and you’ll realize you’ll never be finished. There’s always something more. Spirituality is not a matter of attainment, but of continued pilgrimage.

    How will you make yourself available to see new, wonderful things?

  • Link: What Makes Someone a Bible Scholar

    Rev. Jeremiah Gibbs provides an interesting answer. I tend to be more restrictive in my use of the term “scholar.” I use it to describe those who do research and writing that is read and used by other scholars. On that basis, I regard myself not as a scholar, though I would attempt to do all the things Rev. Gibbs indicates, but rather as a consumer of scholarship.

    In addition, it strikes me that those points are a rather good list of how one should interact with information generally. The comparison to what has gone before helps prevent one from making errors already discovered, though I should note that an excessive concentration on what has gone before can prevent one from correcting errors that have become engrained in the past. Being available for criticism in many ways describes a good, open life and testimony. And the search for evidence? That seems pretty useful as well.

    So do these points distinguish the Bible scholar? They should certainly characterize a scholar. But distinguish him or her?