“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Co 14:33 ESV).
The Bible is much like a road map. Instead of guiding you through physical terrain, it maps out ideas and principles. It also shows consequences, parables, and guidance for life. It serves as an essential philosophical tool for living purposefully. It emphasizes values such as peace, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and the acceptance of suffering. Biblical scripture provides profound insights into how to navigate daily life without harboring bitterness or contempt for others.
However, much like regular maps, if they are not properly interpreted or understood, they can cause confusion. They can also lead to disorientation. For example, if you were traveling through Texas for the first time, you would quickly become lost. You need a reliable Texas road map to navigate the beautiful countryside. But what if you didn’t even know how to read a map? All you need is basic sight and cognitive function to look at a piece of paper. You can notice that a map contains recognizable objects. These guide you in an orderly manner. If you cannot interpret the symbols, the map becomes chaotic. It resembles a Jackson Pollock painting.
Consider this: If you were in New York with a map of Ohio, how useful would that be? While maps are essential, it’s even more important to have the wisdom and knowledge to interpret them correctly. Without that understanding, you’re left with a useless piece of paper. The key remains undecipherable. This analogy applies when we think about the Bible. The Bible is incredibly complex, far more than one can realize. It was compiled for more than a thousand years. Numerous individuals authored it. It was written in multiple languages. It has also been translated more than any other book in human history. This complexity makes studying and interpreting this sacred text much more challenging than it seems at first glance. We should bear this in mind when we approach scripture. The knowledge and wisdom needed to understand what the scriptures convey should not be overlooked or taken lightly. History is full of the sacrifices of good men and women. They have faced great risks while studying, interpreting, and sharing the truths in this remarkable book.
The Bible serves as a roadway to the truth, and we are the cartographers of our lives. Dennis Prager stated, “We live in an age that values — or at least claims to value — knowledge. However, knowledge without wisdom tells you nothing about how to lead your life. It is like having a map without a destination. If you don’t know where you need to go, knowing exactly where you are becomes useless.”
I pray my map analogy didn’t lose you. However, the Bible can be confusing. If you don’t have the correct interpretation or intention, this one book will discombobulate your life. There is a reason it is the best-selling book of all time. It transcends time, societal norms, scientific study, axioms, and even history. The Bible is your personal playbook to freedom- freedom from everyone and everything around you and freedom from yourself.
I used to read the Bible when I was a kid. My parents bought me a Bible early on in life. I used the illustrations from the children’s living Bible. I read the scriptures that made sense. Most of it is very daunting and fearsome for children, especially the Old Testament. As I got older, I read it less and less, which led me further from my faith. My excuse was that I did not understand what the Bible meant. I did not know what it was saying. I was unsure of who it was saying it to. This turned out to be an enormous excuse I used, and so do most, to consciously excuse myself from reading.
This is rather common within the Christian community. It is why we are so dependent upon the church; we need others to interpret what the Bible tells us. Ironically, the Church kept the Bible from us for centuries. This absence led to so much turmoil during the first millennium. How history repeats itself.
Here are some pointers that can open up your experience trying to read the good book. First, pick a translation that works for you. Research this before purchasing. You find yourself with a Bible that does not fit your language style. It also does not match your grammatical tone. Second, get familiar with commentaries and side interpretations. Rely on the research of others to guide you in discovering the truth on your own. The bible is so complex and intricate. There are books about the Bible that translate and interpret its meaning. Third, do not rush yourself. I am an ardent opponent to these “read the Bible in one year” programs. It does not matter how much of the Bible you read; it matters how much of the Bible you comprehend. Lastly, let the Holy Spirit be your guide. Pray before, during, and after you read. God will guide you to what you need to hear.
Personally, it may take me an entire week to read just one chapter. I spent two months reading Genesis and one week reading the Gospel of John—just chapter one! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Honestly, who understands that the first time they encounter it? I dissect the scriptures, study them, and meditate on their meanings. If I can’t make sense of a passage, I continue studying it until I do. The Bible is neither abstract nor nonsensical. It’s a mistake to think that God is illogical; the Bible makes sense. Many atheists mistakenly believe that the Bible is crude and simple. This belief couldn’t be further from the truth. Jesus Christ was as much a logician as he was a philosopher. For example, look up Matthew 7:6. In this passage, Jesus talks about casting pearls before swine. The logic behind this proverb is timeless and perfect. Remember, Christ preached to the scholarly elite and the theologically accomplished. He also preached to the illiterate, uninformed, and blind. He did all this in the same manner. No one in history has influenced so many people so profoundly. He reached individuals from diverse backgrounds in a remarkably short time.
First, select the right Bible for you. Next, establish parameters for your understanding. You are now prepared to engage with the Word.
Here is a Wonderful prayer you can use before reading or studying the Holy Bible:
Give heed to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the
things contained in this Book. Be diligent in them, that your
growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ
may be evident to all. In doing so you shall save both yourself
and those who hear you. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd,
not a wolf; feed them, do not devour them. Hold up the weak,
heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring back the lapsed, and
seek the lost. Do not confuse mercy with indifference; so
minister discipline, that you forget not mercy; that when the
Chief Shepherd appears, you may receive the never-fading
crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Footnote:
[1] Dennis Prager, Exodus, the rational Bible, 2018, page 356
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