Is the Bible Open to Interpretation?

The shema proclaims in Deuteronomy 6:4 that “Adonai… our God… is one.” Yeshua teaches us in Mark 3:25 that “if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot be made to stand.” And Paul declares in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “every Scripture is God-breathed.” So if God is one—undivided—and the Bible is the written word of God, then why do we think that there can be more than one legitimate interpretation of the Bible? Why do we believe we have the permission to disagree with one another about what the Scriptures say? Read more

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The One Bible Question You Should Never Ask

Anyone who’s ever read the Bible knows that while the word of God holds the answers to the deepest, most profound questions of our lives, it can also leave us asking more questions. But as we continue to seek the truth and to know every answer that can be known, there’s one question that anyone who truly wants to understand the Bible must avoid asking. It’s a question whose answer is not only antithetical to the truth, but often a challenge to the authority of God Himself. It’s a question that isn’t satisfied with what the Bible says, so it reaches beyond the word of God to deduce an answer for itself. Read more

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Are We Supposed to Take the Bible Literally?

Should we take the Bible literally? Well, that depends on what “literally” literally means. Do we mean that God—who is our rock—is literally an actual rock? Or that Yeshua—who is the door—is literally an actual door? Or by “literally” do we mean we believe that God literally created the universe in six days, that Moses literally received the stone tablets from God, and that Yeshua literally died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended to heaven, actually saving us from death, and providing a real way to live with Him forever? Read more

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Secondary Sources: More Harm Than Good?

In the world of Bible study, there are several types of great tools, such as Concordances and Lexicons, to help us successfully navigate the teachings of the Bible. Beyond these, many people also rely on secondary, extra-biblical sources for their study, knowledge and understanding—and for good reason. There is an inordinate amount of Bible-related information that is simply not contained or well-developed in the Bible. But the problem is that, when it comes to understanding Scripture itself, many will mistakenly turn to secondary sources first, rather than to God’s word. Secondary sources make it extremely easy to find answers to biblical questions… perhaps, too easy. Read more

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The Best Way to Interpret Scripture

The Bible—the written word of God—is perfect and true. But sometimes, it’s not exactly easy to understand. So when we come across a word or concept that doesn’t quite make sense, or it seems contradictory or inconsistent, we might need some help figuring it out. And the very first place we should look to help us understand anything we read in the Bible is… Read more

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Why Bible Study Tools?

There is only one way to get the biblically correct answer to every single Bible question: we must first ask ourselves, “What do the Scriptures say?” But the problem with the Bible—if you can call it a problem—is that the information we’re looking for is often spread out and sprinkled in various places, which doesn’t exactly make it easy to find. So when we need help navigating the Scriptures in order to readily and thoroughly search what they say, then it’s time for us to turn to Bible study tools.
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Is Yeshua Really Both God and Man?

The Master Yeshua is unlike any man who ever walked the earth for the very reason that He is exactly like every other man… and yet, not at all. It’s this fully God/fully man paradox or “dual nature” that has perplexed and frustrated both the faithful and the skeptic since the beginning. The biblical fact of Yeshua’s simultaneous, unmingled deity and humanity is more than just a theological side note or curiosity—it’s at the heart of the message of the Good News. Because without one or the other, He can be neither our savior nor our example. Unless He is both, He is not the biblical Messiah who can save.
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Does the Bible Mean What It Plainly Says?

Sometimes we don’t particularly like what the Scriptures say, or, for some reason, we think there must be more to it—that it can’t be as simple and straightforward as it appears. So instead of just asking the question “What do the Scriptures say,” we start asking ourselves, “Is that really what that Scripture says?” or, “Is that all that that Scripture says?” and our search for the truth becomes an exercise in misinformation.
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Why We Need “Context” to Understand the Bible

We see it in the news all the time: a politician is quoted as saying something incorrect or offensive; a video captures something blatantly racist or unjust. But only later do we find out that what was reported was only part of the story. When we learn more about what was said or what happened—both immediately before and after what seemed so offensive or unjust—it often turns out that those short clips were taken out of context. Then, once we see everything in context—with all the surrounding facts and information—it completely changes our understanding. Or, at least, it should. Read more

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Which Bible Version Has the Right Translation?

Many believers aren’t particularly discriminating when it comes to choosing a Bible translation. We’ll often choose one because we like the way it reads, or because it’s the version our pastor or rabbi uses—making it easier to follow along during the sermon—or simply because someone told us it was good, based on any number of criteria. All of these reasons are certainly worth considering, but the problem is that not all Bible translations are created equal. There is a great deal going on in the background in each Bible version that isn’t always obvious to us as end-users.

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