Thursday, August 7, 2008

"Methods of Bible Study"


PREAMBLE:

This is a Bible Class from Bishop Taliefero entitled Methods of Bible Study.
Under Bishop Taliefero I wrote over 600 pages of Bible class notes from 1978 to 1985. No computers no lap tops, just a total dedication to learning from one of the greatest Bible teachers I have ever known.
I want to share some of “Taliefero’s Notes”, so others can receive these treasures of teaching and knowledge from the Bishop.
Below is the Bible class from November 6, 1979, on “Methods of Bible Study”, which is a follow up from the previous year on “Principles of Bible Study.” Originally, I wrote the notes with pen and ink. Thank God for technology today to be able to reach the masses of people to share the Bishop’s great spiritual and intellectual knowledge of the Word of God.
Enjoy the Bible class as taught by Bishop Taliefero in November 1979.
Jarrett L. Perdue Sr. 8/7/08

 
BIBLE CLASS TEACHINGS – NOVEMBER 6, 1979
INSTRUCTOR & PASTOR: DISTRICT ELDER C.H. TALIEFERO
NOTES & RESEARCH OF WORDS BY STUDENT J.L. PERDUE SR.
 
DISTRICT ELDER TALIEFERO’S TEACHING ON
“METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY.”

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Key words: STUDY, APPROVED, WORKMAN, ASHAMED, RIGHTLY, DIVIDING.

 

STUDY
Greek- spü-dä'-zō To use speed, to make effort, be prompt or earnest. To endeavout, to labour.
APPROVED
Greek - do'-kē-mos – Acceptable, be of good reputation, be accounted.
WORKMAN
Greek - er-gä'-tās a toiler, a teacher, a labourer.
ASHAMED
Greek - ä-ne-pī's-khün-tos having no cause to be ashamed or embarrassed.
RIGHTLY
in a straight manner, upright, correctly.
DIVIDING
Greek - or-tho-to-me'-ō to make a straight cut. To dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message).




EXPOSITION OF 2 TIMOTHY 2:15
The care of the born again believer must be to approve themselves unto God, to be accepted of Him, and to show that they are so approved unto God. In order to do that there must be consistent spiritual care and spiritual systematic and a love for the study of God’s Word.
We are all workmen in the Body of Christ. Workmen that are unskillful, unfaithful, lackadaisical, do have need to be ashamed. However those in the Body of Christ, who are faithful and keep to the work of the Lord and take understanding God’s Word seriously, need not be ashamed.
According to the Apostle Paul’s explanation to Timothy the work we must do is to rightly divide the Word of truth. We are not to originate a new gospel, which Paul speaks against in Galatians 1:6-9, but to rightly divide the gospel that has been committed to the followers of Christ.
The Word which should be promulgated, taught and expounded is the Word of truth in which God is the author. It requires a love for studying God’s Word, wisdom, care and concern for God’s people.
 

17 METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY
THE THEME: INNOVATE – MOTIVATE – EDUCATE
WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY AND HOW.




  • (1) INDUCTIVE
  • (2) SYNTHETIC
  • (3) ANALYTICAL
  • (4) CRITICAL
  • (5) BIOGRAPHICAL
  • (6) HISTORICAL
  • (7) THEOLOGICAL
  • (8) LITERARY
  • (9) RHETORICAL
  • (10) GEOGRAPHICAL
  • (11) SOCIOLOGICAL
  • (12) POLITICAL
  • (13) CULTURAL
  • (14) SCIENTIFIC
  • (15) PHILOSOPHICAL
  • (16) PSYCHOLOGICAL
  • (17) DEVOTIONAL


(1) INDUCTIVE
The process of discovering explanations on the basis of observations on a number of particular facts. Example: In 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, the Apostle Paul used Inductive Philosophy to show the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
  • 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
  • 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
  • 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
  • 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
  • 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
  • 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
  • 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
  • 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

(2) SYNTHETIC
A taking together. Combining established principles (rules) and propositions to draw a conclusion. A whole of a subject matter made up of parts. Example: Hebrews 6:4-6, talks about being enlightened and then falling away.


HEBREWS 6:4-6
4 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,"
5 "And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,"
6 "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
 
The Synthetic Method is used when the principle of context-before and after is used. Verses 1-3 and 7-20.
HEBREWS 6:1-3
1 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,"
2 "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
3 "And this will we do, if God permit."


HEBREWS 6:7-20
7 "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:"
8 "But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned."
9 "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak."
10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
11 "And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:"
12 "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
13 "For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,"
14 "Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."
15 "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."
16 "For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife."
17 "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:"
18 "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:"
19 "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;"
20 "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
 
(3) ANALYTICAL
The process of studying the nature of a thing to determine its essential features. To examine and give the essence of.
Example: To analyze an argument; to analyze a poem.

The Analytical Method is to have a precise understanding of the Scriptures in order to receive a solid conclusion.
Example: Analyzing Acts 17:26 "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;"
The word "blood" in this verse if from the Greek "haima", which is defined as "the seat of life". It does not matter about our ethnic background and nationality, we are all from the human race. We all dwell, that is, we inhabit, all the earth.  No one in God's sight is superior or inferior.


(4) CRITICAL
Involving skillful judgment as to the truth of a matter. Example: Criticism of the Old and New Testament involves questions of authorship, time of writing, literary structure and contents. The study of these questions can prove of great value of the understanding of scriptures. Along with that the studious Christian must maintain and be controlled by a balanced judgment and recognizing God as the divine author and the approx. 40 different writers as the spiritual vessels.

(5) BIOGRAPHICAL
A written account of a person’s life. Example: The 4 gospels of Jesus Christ.


(6) HISTORICAL
Records of past events. Relating to history as opposed to legend or fiction. Historical authenticity. Historicity.

(7) THEOLOGICAL
The study of God, His attributes, and relations to man and the universe.


(8) LITERARY
Study of writings in which expression and form in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest are characteristic or essential features as poetry, romance, history, biography and essays.


(9) RHETORICAL
The art of influencing the thought and conduct of one’s hearers. Example: in Nehemiah 8:1-8 with emphasis on the 8th verse. Ezra, who was known as a leading expositor of the Law of God stood in a pulpit or tower of wood and spoke to a great multitude of people and influenced their thought and conduct. Verse 8 states:” So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”


(10) GEOGRAPHICAL
Referring to certain locality in reference to its location in relation to other places such as climate, relief, soil, vegetation, population, land use and industries.
Example: Some of the journeys of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • [A] From Nazareth to Bethabara – Matthew 3:13. Place where Jesus was baptized by John. Matthew 3:13-17.
  • [B] From Bethabara to the wilderness of Judea – Matthew 4:1. Place where Jesus was tempted by Satan. Matthew 4:1-11.
  • [C] From wilderness to Bethabara is where 5 disciples were enrolled by Jesus. John 1:38-51.
  • [D] From Bethabara to Cana – John 1:43. This is where the water was changed to wine. John 2:6-10.

(11) SOCIOLOGICAL
The study of the origin, development, organization and functioning of human society. Group behavior. Example: In Genesis, different cultures derived. One culture through the line of Seth and the other through the line of Cain.


(12) POLITICAL
Characterized by policy. A course of action adopted for an office, community, church, city, government.


(13) CULTURAL
Development or improvement by education or training. The sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings which is transmitted from one generation to another.


(14) SCIENTIFIC
The study dealing with the body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.
EXAMPLE:

ASTRONOMY (celestial objects; stars, planets, comets, galaxies)
  • 1 Corinthians 15:41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.”
  • Job 26:7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.”

METEOROLOGY - (Temperature, Air Pressure, Water Vapor)
  • Job 28:25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.”
PHYSICS (Energy, Force, Chemistry)
  • 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

(15) PHILOSOPHICAL
The study of the truths of principles underlying all and being (or reality). The word is used only once in the scriptures in Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
In this context it refers to Jewish sophistry – fallacious method of reasoning. The Apostle Paul was using this in a particular instant. He was referring to philosophy that is of worthless speculation which is not based on scriptural presuppositions.
However we must understand the scriptural philosophy of Biblical history, morality and living daily the born again lifestyle. An example would be the book of Proverbs.


(16) PSYCHOLOGICAL
The scientific study of the behavior and experience of living organisms. Sigmund Freud stated there is a fundamental conflict between individual desires and society demands.
The gospel contains our individual desires which we must understand in making up the Body of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 12:12-27



(17) DEVOTIONAL
Dedication, consecration. Earnest attachment to a cause. The ready will to perform what belongs to the service of God.