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Knowing Scripture

In this 11-lesson video series, Dr. R.C. Sproul discusses the many different facets of reading, studying, and interpreting the Bible.​​ The series is best watched in seccession as one lesson builds upon the next.

  1. Why Study the Bible?

  2. Private Interpretation

  3. The Science of Interpretation

  4. Literal Interpretation

  5. Literary Forms (Part 1)

  6. Literary Forms (Part 2)

  7. Reading the Bible Existentially

  8. The Explicit and the Implicit

  9. Parallelisms

  10. Scripture and Culture

  11. Principle vs. Custom

As we grow in Christ, it's important that we learn to dig into the Word of God for ourselves and not depend solely on the instruction of others.

 

Consider the challenge from the writer of Hebrews:

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13,14

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This series of 11-lessons will teach you how to rightly divide the Word of Truth and become much more confident with your faith in Christ. May God richly bless you as you discover and realize this is the most important task in life, Knowing Scripture.

1. Why Study the Bible?
As Christians, we are all called to master the most important tool of the Christian life—the Bible. In this first message of the series "Knowing Scripture," Dr. Sproul shows us the importance of diligent study of the Scriptures.

2. Private Interpretation
There are magnitudes of different interpretations of the Bible, so which one is right? Don't we all have the right to private interpretation without the church telling us what to believe? In this message, Dr. Sproul will help us understand our right and responsibility, and the potential benefits and dangers of "Private Interpretation."

3. The Science of Interpretation

Everyone who reads the Bible is engaged in a method of understanding the Bible. The question now is, does the method of interpretation you use really reveal the truth of God as intended by the Holy Spirit? Dr. Sproul looks at this in "The Science of Interpretation."

4. Literal Interpretation

As Christians, we know that the Bible is more than merely an ancient book with ethical instructions. Knowing that, how should we read and understand the Bible? What does it mean to read the Bible literally? In this message, Dr. Sproul explains that the only way to interpret the Bible is by "Literal Interpretation," and looks at what that means.

5. Literary Forms (Part1)

Christians are to take Scripture seriously and literally. But how exactly do we do that? If we take every word "literally" we find ourselves painted in a corner surrounded by critics. How do we understand some passages and sayings of Jesus when, if taken literally, are difficult to comprehend? Dr. Sproul looks at these thoughts in "Literary Forms."

6. Literary Forms (Part2)

Many biblical accounts and narratives have been written off as fable or myth. How do we understand these stories in light of Redemptive history? How can we tell the difference between myths and history? Dr. Sproul shows us the key fundamental differences between the two as he explains more on the various literary forms found in Scripture.

7. Reading the Bible Existentially

Dr. R.C. Sproul discusses the challenge of reading Scripture "existentially."

8. The Explicit and The Implicit

Throughout church history there have been many obscure, or less clear, passages in Scripture that have attracted a variety of strange -- and wrong -- interpretations.
How do we avoid the error of drawing something from Scripture that is simply not there? Dr. Sproul explains the difference between "The Explicit and The Implicit."

9. Parallelisms

What do we do with passages and statements that seem contradictory or impossible to explain? What does Scripture really mean when it says that God creates evil? In this message, Dr. Sproul explains and helps us recognize the ancient Hebrew technique of writing called "Parallelism," which is found all throughout Scripture.

10. Scripture and Culture

R.C. Sproul discusses the question of Scripture and culture.

11. Principle vs. Custom

Looking at various customs described throughout Scripture, how are we to understand the application of them in our modern setting? Is there deeper meaning rooted in these teachings, or are they simply cultural issues? Dr. Sproul helps us recognize the difference between temporal local customs and universal principles in the Bible as he wraps-up this study of biblical interpretation.

Dr. R.C. Sproul is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian education ministry located near Orlando, Florida and is known as a leading proponent of Reformed theology. His teaching can be heard on the program Renewing Your Mind, which is broadcast on hundreds of radio outlets in the United States and in 40 countries worldwide. He is the executive editor of Tabletalk magazine and general editor of The Reformation Study Bible, and the author of more than seventy books and scores of articles for national evangelical publications. Dr. Sproul also serves as president and professor at Reformation Bible College at Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies, and currently serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's in Sanford, FL.

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