Bible as a Whole – True & Timeless – Understanding

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The Bible, the written Word of God, is still considered completely truthful by only a small minority. Indeed, one must be very selective about which Bible edition one chooses today. This shows that “new” isn’t automatically better; it can even be abysmally bad. Once the real Bible is in hand, it’s time to receive the Word of God as He left it to us. This includes the unbiased study of the written Word. Study means actually studying, not just skimming through it.

The Bible – “Could contain God’s Word”

Is the Bible the Word of God, or a collection of writings containing portions of God’s words? Scripture “contains the Word of God,” according to a now predominant doctrine of evangelical and Lutheran churches. This is how the umbrella organization, the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), describes the Bible:
“It has been clear for a long time in church history that the Bible was written by humans. Nevertheless, the Reformers and their successors maintained that the Bible was “God’s Word.” Today, most theologians say that the Bible does not report facts, but rather seeks to describe the experiences of people who trust in God. The Bible is then “God’s Word” in the sense that God can be found and discovered there.” [1]

A “consistent legacy” of so-called scientific biblical criticism, whose origins are also known to horse and rider (Info).

Own gospel creations

The consequences of this go far beyond what one might initially perceive. Who determines, and especially why, what exactly is human opinion and which lines are inspired by God? With such a foundation, one creates the freedom to arbitrarily interpret Scripture to suit one’s own views and needs. One declares what is pleasing to oneself as divinely inspired, what is unpleasant as humanly motivated, and suddenly, with the Bible, one has a toolbox at one’s disposal that allows one to craft one’s favorite gospel. The “best”—the self-created illusion—is truly comfortable.

Fundamentally, such doctrines deprive people of the absolute foundation of their faith. Uncertainty, confusion, and misguidance are thus inevitable. This is a playground for such apologists, who are abundantly represented in the pulpits of institutional churches, unleashing their adventurous, zeitgeist-adapted “assembly gospels” on humanity.

The first chapter of the Gospel of John is one of the “basic basics” of the Bible. The very first verses clarify what the Word of God actually is, John 1:1-4:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.“

Verse 14:
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.“

The target of attack is always Jesus Christ

A first logical consequence of the “systematic doubting” of the Word of God is thus the simultaneous doubting of Jesus Christ. For He is the living Word of God. As a human being, Jesus Christ regularly responded to doubters, tempters, and deceivers with: “It is written…” He Himself did not allow Himself to be carried away by his own statements, dependent on the situation and cultural background, but always adhered to the Word written up to that point.

According to John 5:30;45-47, Jesus answered such “scribes” who were bound by their own traditions:
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?“

Hermeneutics

“Hermeneutics”? Oh dear, sounds very scientific and only for scholars. Science has made it its custom to give even the most inconspicuous or self-evident thing an impressive name. Thus, hermeneutics is, by and large, “simple reading skills,” which should be a given, especially when reading reports or news from the media. When it comes to specific areas, such as the Gospel, the corresponding specialized areas are added to the aspect of hermeneutics.

The text needs to be correctly understood, interpreted, and explained. Be it an epic or the Gospel. Recognizing connections and also extracting meaning. That’s basically it.

There are a few rules of thumb for hermeneutics in the area of ​​the Word of God, which are roughly described below.

Principle Sola Scriptura

Only Scripture, or rather, Scripture alone. Everything connected with the written Word of God stands or falls with this guiding principle, not invented but emphasized by the Reformation. If “Sola Scriptura” falls, then all other “Sola Scriptura” guiding principles fall at the same time. (Info). For everything that can be derived from it is contained in Scripture. Scripture explains why “only Jesus Christ” (Solus Christus), why only through His grace (Sola Gratia), why only through (true) faith (Sola fide), and why only God alone deserves glory (Soli Deo Gloria).

Everything that deviates from the written word, or even contradicts it, has no light, as Isaiah already said:
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20).

Scripture, the Word of God, is the only authority. Neither new ideas nor centuries-old traditions can in any way impair or even nullify the Word of God, let alone change God’s predetermined times and laws (e.g., Daniel 7:25 – Info)

Tota Scriptura

“Tota” as in “total,” meaning everything. Not parts, not any excerpts arbitrarily deemed “exceptionally credible,” but the entire Scripture. Every verse, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, is the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.“

Jesus Christ himself explained to the adversary who appeared during his temptation in no uncertain terms what man actually lives by, Matthew 4:4:
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.“

The second half of the verse is missing in many modern Bible editions. A “phenomenon” that is due to the systematic undermining of the Word of God. (Info).

Picking out individual verses to construct an imaginative gospel according to the modular principle has long since become a “pastoral sport.” One prime example is Matthew 5:17, which is used to justify “abrogated laws of God.” However, the immediately following verse, 18, is regularly deliberately omitted. Matthew 5:18:

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
This statement by Jesus contradicts the thesis that God’s laws would be abolished at a certain point (the crucifixion of Jesus) (10 Commandments – Info). Such false proclaimers naturally want to avoid explaining this obvious contradiction..

Judging spiritual matters spiritually

Anyone who reads the Bible with all their attention, but does so according to worldly standards or even with bias, will not only miss the true message of the gospel, but will run away in the opposite direction.

The entire (wretched) drama that has prevailed in this world for some 6,000 years is a struggle between good and evil. The war between light and darkness. Such battles, such as the battle of Michael and his angels against the dragon and his angels (Revelation 12), are often depicted with horses, riders, and drawn swords. The final battle at Armageddon (Revelation 16) is also usually illustrated as a gathering of all earthly armies in battle against a “heavenly apparition.” But all of this completely misses the truth. It was, is, and will remain a spiritual battle until the end. Truth versus lies.

Accordingly, false ideas about the time of the end prevail. These are predominantly formulated and spread by the Loyola worshippers of the Jesuit order (Info). Their actual godlessness is fundamentally no different from the godlessness of today’s carnal worldly people, except that they derive their guidance for “making decisions” from the dark realms of practiced spiritualism (spiritual exercises, contemplative meditation).

A spiritual battle is fought in spiritual aspects, and the saving answer, the good news, the gospel, must therefore also be understood spiritually. How on earth could the symbolic depiction of a “two-edged, sharp sword coming out of his mouth” be understood in any other way than spiritually? The sword is the Word of God, which cuts through the bones and marrow, thus leading to the division between believers and unbelievers (including heretics). This aspect of the Bible completely contradicts the secular narrative of a united humanity.

This also applies to a “united Christianity” as propagated today within the framework of ecumenism. There is only one Word, however, and there is only one way (Jesus Christ). How can a united Christianity in truth ever come about if this union consists of a work of (lazy) compromises? That is impossible. What actually emerges is precisely what is described in Revelation 18 as the “Babylon” from which humanity should emerge as soon as possible.

Therefore, whoever considers the Word of God from a worldly point of view will not be able to make a success of it, for as it is also written, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14:
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.“

The Scripture interprets itself

This extremely important guideline for biblical hermeneutics is a poisonous arrow, especially for the Church of Rome. Traditionally, the Roman Catholic Church denies the common people the ability to understand the Bible, despite its self-invented hierarchy of clergy and laity. Biblical interpretation, it claims, is reserved exclusively for a learned selection of the clergy. Ultimately, the Word of God must be understood in the light of tradition.

Therefore, the statement that Scripture interprets itself (scriptura sui ipsius interpres) is regularly ridiculed with derisive polemics. However, one needn’t necessarily engage with this largely infantile argument. Anyone who studies the Bible themselves will soon discover that Scripture actually provides the answers elsewhere whenever something initially incomprehensible appears. This is especially true of the symbolic language in the context of prophecy. The images and meanings of Revelation can certainly be found in the plain text. (Info).

Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, often had to deal with “stubborn people” during His earthly ministry. This was also the case with the disciples at Emmaus, Luke 24:25-27:
“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.“

Therefore, the scorn and ridicule directed at the fact that the Bible interprets itself comes only from those who traditionally wanted to withhold the gospel from the common people. This even happened under threat of life and limb. In short: the papacy.

Critical review

“Trust is good. Verification is better.” A well-known saying that (unfortunately) also influences the choice of Bible. The Word of God, in its present form, is no longer entirely immaculate. With the consultation and “cheerful approval” of the Church of Rome, Bible societies have largely agreed on the original text according to Nestle-Aland (New Testament). If the Old Testament is based on the Latin Vulgate or the Greek Septuagint, the catastrophe is complete (Info).

The textual changes, motivated by nothing other than willful intent and based on Gnosticism, have the unanimous goal of denying the divinity of Jesus Christ, elevating humanity itself to the status of divine being, and significantly increasing the overlap with other religions for the success of ecumenism. For example, if targeted attacks are directed against the English version of the Bible, the King James Version (1611), especially because of the dubious background of the person who commissioned it, this is merely a distraction from the actual attack on the Majority Text, which is hated above all by the Church of Rome. (textus receptus).

No subjective interpretations

This area of ​​hermeneutics is related to the Bible’s actual self-interpretation when it comes to explaining symbolic language. Numerous depictions in the New Testament have parallels in the Old Testament, usually according to type and antitype. A prime example is the “eight night visions” in the book of the prophet Zechariah. A preview of the end-time events. Revelation 11 and Isaiah 1 are further examples of historical parallels. Revelation 11:2:
“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.“

Isaiah 1:11-13:
“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.“

While Revelation 11 plays a role in the time of the end (during the 6th trumpet) on a global level, Isaiah 1, with the exact same problem, relates to the people of Israel. The altar of burnt offering was located in the outer courtyard. Sacrifices were continually being offered for the forgiveness of sins, but people weren’t bothered to turn away from their sins. Even with the people of Israel, this was a great offense to God, and therefore the hypocritical sacrificial ceremonies seemed an abomination to Him.

Revelation 11 describes the same situation, but symbolically. Those “believers” who remain in the outer court (treading on the outer court) without entering the sanctuary for their own sanctification (turning away from sin) will ultimately be considered Gentiles. God’s character and His law will not be assessed (measured) against them at all. Anyone who is still out there in the outer court will essentially be lost.

Not surprisingly, this interpretation can be found in the Bible itself, specifically in Zechariah 2:5-7;16. For this reason, no fanciful interpretations based on one’s own “intellectual efforts” are necessary. The only effort is to study the Bible yourself, not simply “skim” it, but to actually reflect on every written word, and if necessary, to specifically seek out parallel passages so that explanations for anything one doesn’t understand will promptly follow. It is therefore better to read less, but more attentively and spiritually deeply, than to engage in a daily reading marathon without truly reflecting on the message left behind by God.

Incidentally, this procedure of investigating the consistency of various statements in different passages of the Bible, even dispelling apparent contradictions, has also been applied to the evaluation of individual books that ultimately fell outside the canon. Apocrypha and works written under pseudonyms are particularly notable for their complete incompatibility with the “great rest” of the Bible in many respects. They are and remain simply fantasy writings, written across the board after the last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, and have absolutely nothing to do with the inspired Word of God. They were rightly dropped from the canon. They are Gnostic works, predominantly from the Hellenistic region of ancient Alexandria.

Classifying the written text

A “playground” for those who choose individual verses or passages from the Bible to place them in their own context. This emphasizes the individual’s responsibility to independently verify what is being told through Bible study.

The Bible contains not only accounts of historical events and predictions of future occurrences, but also admonitions through written letters, stories, poetry, and even wisdom for living by faith. Last but not least, it contains descriptions and instructions on why and how humanity can be saved. Jesus Christ frequently used parables in His human ministry—messages conveyed tangibly through vividly imaginable examples.

How even these parables can be misused by misguided spirits as teachings to be taken literally is demonstrated by the rather well-known parable of poor Lazarus sitting in Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:19-31). A narrative embedded in preceding and subsequent parables, but precisely the story of Lazarus, who gazes in heaven upon the rich man in the dark realm of the dead, is suddenly to be taken at face value.

This is at least the view of the Roman Catholic Church, which, among other things, considers it to be evidence of a person’s immediate descent to heaven or hell (or alternatively, purgatory) after death. The mere narrative depiction of visual and communicative contact between heaven and hell should make it clear that it is downright absurd to explain this actual parable as a representation of the true existence of such heavens and hells.

It’s obvious that the book of John, for example, has a completely different character than the books of Proverbs, Psalms, Judges, or even Job. In general, the context and background must be taken into account. Paul’s many letters to the young churches generally contain valuable guidance on the correct understanding of the gospel, as well as numerous “case studies” of how not to handle it.

Even Martin Luther was on the verge of removing the Book of Revelation from the canon. Initially, he had a hard time dealing with such an “exotic book.” But even the once staunchly Catholic Augustinian monk was just a human being who had to go through a learning process. After all, understanding the Bible was, and still is, not exactly the hallmark of the average Catholic priest. Its focus, however, lies in tradition, the liturgy, enshrined in the Catechism. Luther finally recognized the close relationship between the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. After he had finished translating the New Testament, he immediately began with the Old Testament, promptly beginning “right in the middle” with the Book of Daniel.

Compare history

The Bible is full of prophecies. By far the largest portion of the predictions have already been fulfilled in the past (Examples). It’s easy to compare biblical prophecies with historical records. The extra-biblical discoveries and research findings of archaeologists, historians, and linguists are particularly relevant here.

One after the other, the prophecies are confirmed, for example, in the Book of Daniel. It is not without reason that a rumor has persisted to this day that the Book of Daniel is a retelling from a later time. But the long-since proven refutation is simply ignored. (Info).

It’s the details that matter. Ancient languages, such as Hebrew or ancient Greek, in particular, provide evidence that language development is not subject to evolutionary development. Based on the narrative of evolutionary theory, people have firmly believed that earlier languages ​​must have been composed of primitive language structures. However, the opposite is true. Ancient languages ​​are consistently more complex, detailed, and sophisticated than today’s completely degenerate everyday languages.

Attention to text structure

It’s the details that matter. Ancient languages, such as Hebrew or ancient Greek, in particular, provide evidence that language development is not subject to evolutionary development. Based on the narrative of evolutionary theory, people have firmly believed that earlier languages ​​must have been composed of primitive language structures. However, the opposite is true. Ancient languages ​​are consistently more complex, detailed, and sophisticated than today’s completely degenerate everyday languages.

It’s understandable, therefore, that Bible translators often had to rack their brains over how to translate one word or another into another, modern language in a particular context. Grammar and vocabulary must be paraphrased in complete sentences, otherwise, they’ll be translated in a way that doesn’t quite capture the essence. Therefore, studying the Word of God also includes studying individual words. You don’t necessarily need to study Hebrew or ancient Greek to do this. Concordances, word-for-word translations with explanations of individual words and cross-references to other case studies, are very helpful.

Those who have truly understood the importance of God’s Word and embraced the love of truth will do so. There are more important things than “entertainment” to fill one’s free time. Their priorities are accordingly ordered.

Recognizing core elements of theology

Here, the word “theology” should be understood for what it truly means: Theos (God) and Logos (Word), i.e., the Word of God. When studying the Bible, it is therefore important to consider what the core message actually is. This also includes taking into account the context within the current topic. Taking notes to record distinctive features (symbols, specific patterns) can be very helpful for recognizing or rediscovering them elsewhere. The principle of type and antitype, e.g., the report of a local event that reappears in prophecy on a global scale.

When it comes to prophecy, the evidence of actual fulfillment is always convincing. The Bible is full of predictions that have already been fulfilled. This applies to Jesus Christ alone as well as to geopolitical developments (e.g., Daniel 7).

Consider personal needs

Every person is different and in a very different state of mind, from completely different backgrounds, when they come into contact with the Word of God. However, one can say with certainty that the Bible has something suitable for everyone. Not in the nature of a “clever calendar of sayings” where you simply pick and choose what you like, but rather as a starting point.

It is clumsy and also not in the spirit of God’s Word to threaten a misguided person with a red-hot cross and to suggest eternal death and never-ending corruption. The eternally burning hell, tormenting the soul for all time, is a horror story anyway; it doesn’t exist. (Info).

Such scholarly horror scenarios also served the purpose of giving effect to the church’s threats of interdict and excommunication. People were simply terrified and terrified, since the Roman Church claimed (to this day) the power to decide humanity’s salvation or destruction. God, they claimed, was supposed to submit to the priests’ decision. (Info).

The Bible is true and timeless

A contemporary interpretation of the Bible, even by cherry-picking individual passages and verses. A “successful” means of keeping people in darkness. For whoever does not speak the testimony and the law has no light in him.

A few verses, naturally intended as a reference point or starting point for independent reading in context, clarify the character of God’s words.

Psalm 119:89;160:
“LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.“

Isaiah 40:8:
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.“

Romans 1:1-2:
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)“

1 Peter 1:23-25:
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.“

2 Peter 2:21:
“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.“

Notes by Ellen G. White

Ellen G. White, “The Great Controversy”, page 251:
“The infallible authority and power of Holy Scripture as a rule of faith and conduct was the great principle established by these reformers, which the Waldenses, Wycliffe, Jan Hus, Luther, Zwingli, and their associates had also upheld.“

Ellen G. White, “The Great Controversy”, page 578:
“By despising the truth, people reject its Author. By trampling on God’s law, they deny the authority of the Lawgiver. It is as easy to build an idol out of false teachings and theories as it is to fashion an idol out of wood or stone.“

The following statement by E.G. White (Review & Herald, March 22, 1887, paragraph 4) shows that a certain dynamic can even develop when a community falls away:
“We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will do more than any other class to promote and honor, by their consistent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause which they represent. But how often have the professed advocates of the truth proved the greatest obstacle to its advancement! The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.”

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)

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[1] https://www.ekd.de/Bibel-10807.htm