Understanding the Bible

[Guido]

While many versions of the Bible have been created in modern time, because theologians esteemed it too difficult for readers to grasp the language of the KJV, its language is not a major hindrance to comprehending the text, because readers can use a concordance to learn the words that are not known to them, and because, with practice, they can more easily parse that version’s syntax, though still, they may find it difficult to grasp the meaning of some clauses. The main thing that makes it difficult to read the KJV, which applies to all versions of the Bible, is passages containing a large block of thought and a sentence connecting back to it. This occurs mainly in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Hebrews, where a sentence beginning with the word “therefore” connects back to most, if not all, of the first chapter. Thus, to understand the Book of Hebrews, one must hold large blocks of thought in memory, and must grasp the connection between a sentence and the block of thought that precedes it. But how should one do this? Should they use their working memory or their long-term memory? If the former, how do they build the capacity that is needed?

 

[Deacon]

Minimize distractions - having to read KJV-style English is unnecessary and can be distracting, particularly when there are so many modern language texts available.
Parsing and syntax is hard enough for modern readers, why should you have to learn how they did it 400 years ago?

Pen and paper helps the memory - grab a notebook and keep writing notes.
When you finish reading a passage, review the notes and begin to organize them.
Give it some time - think about what you've observed, meditate, mull over it, dream about it. It's not a race.
When you think you're done, look over a commentary (or perhaps a responsible website), just to insure you're not off track.
Reevaluate the passage again.
Then develop a plan of action - what is the text telling you to do?
Do it!

Rob

 

[Guido]

Minimize distractions - having to read KJV-style English is unnecessary and can be distracting, particularly when there are so many modern language texts available.
Parsing and syntax is hard enough for modern readers, why should you have to learn how they did it 400 years ago?

Pen and paper helps the memory - grab a notebook and keep writing notes.
When you finish reading a passage, review the notes and begin to organize them.
Give it some time - think about what you've observed, meditate, mull over it, dream about it. It's not a race.
When you think you're done, look over a commentary (or perhaps a responsible website), just to insure you're not off track.
Reevaluate the passage again.
Then develop a plan of action - what is the text telling you to do?
Do it!

Rob

Thank you for the advice.

 

[Ben1445]

While many versions of the Bible have been created in modern time, because theologians esteemed it too difficult for readers to grasp the language of the KJV, its language is not a major hindrance to comprehending the text, because readers can use a concordance to learn the words that are not known to them, and because, with practice, they can more easily parse that version’s syntax, though still, they may find it difficult to grasp the meaning of some clauses. The main thing that makes it difficult to read the KJV, which applies to all versions of the Bible, is passages containing a large block of thought and a sentence connecting back to it. This occurs mainly in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Hebrews, where a sentence beginning with the word “therefore” connects back to most, if not all, of the first chapter. Thus, to understand the Book of Hebrews, one must hold large blocks of thought in memory, and must grasp the connection between a sentence and the block of thought that precedes it. But how should one do this? Should they use their working memory or their long-term memory? If the former, how do they build the capacity that is needed?

This is something that the writers expected of us. This is not a translation thing.
One of the best ways to take it in is to just continue to read it over and over.
So read the book of Hebrews every day for a month. By the end of the month you will remember more of the book. It will come more easily to remembrance.
And the Holy Spirit brings us to the remembrance of what we need also.
Depend more upon God for memory and less on self. But go back and establish the thought. When you remember, reread the portion of Scripture brought to mind to establish the truth.

 

[Guido]

This is something that the writers expected of us. This is not a translation thing.
One of the best ways to take it in is to just continue to read it over and over.
So read the book of Hebrews every day for a month. By the end of the month you will remember more of the book. It will come more easily to remembrance.
And the Holy Spirit brings us to the remembrance of what we need also.
Depend more upon God for memory and less on self. But go back and establish the thought. When you remember, reread the portion of Scripture brought to mind to establish the truth.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[kyredneck]

what is the text telling you to do?

Is the text addressed to me? We are reading 'other people's mail' when reading the Bible, you know.

Hodge's three simple rules:

1. The Scriptures are to be taken in the sense attached to them in the age and by the people to whom they were addressed.

2. Scripture cannot contradict Scripture.

3. The Scriptures are to be interpreted under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which guidance is to be humbly and earnestly sought. - Charles Hodge