Weekly men's bible study prompted this question:
The message is so simple (Love God; Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself). But no matter how many times we 'study' the Bible, it seems that we never figure it out, as we might expect of other books, whether novels or non-fiction. So perhaps "study" is the wrong way to consider the repeated Bible Study experiences. And perhaps the form of binding into book form and chapter organization misleads us to consider what is found there to resemble other books that we have known. Instead the revisiting of the stories, teachings, examples, parables and so forth is more akin to a living relationship: what you bring to it across the life course will alter the relationship and what you are capable of seeings/knowing and what is hidden from plain sight. In sum, getting to know the Bible and the path is lays to God is like that old image of The Vine: as long as you are attached in this relationship you will live/thrive. But when cut off then you whither and die.
Caution when opening a Bible: The message is so simple (Love God; Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself). But no matter how many times we 'study' the Bible, it seems that we never figure it out, as we might expect of other books, whether novels or non-fiction. So perhaps "study" is the wrong way to consider the repeated Bible Study experiences. And perhaps the form of binding into book form and chapter organization misleads us to consider what is found there to resemble other books that we have known. Instead the revisiting of the stories, teachings, examples, parables and so forth is more akin to a living relationship: what you bring to it across the life course will alter the relationship and what you are capable of seeings/knowing and what is hidden from plain sight. In sum, getting to know the Bible and the path is lays to God is like that old image of The Vine: as long as you are attached in this relationship you will live/thrive. But when cut off then you whither and die.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow, and able to judge the reflections and thoughts of the heart. (Heb 4:12 LEB).
[taken from preface, http://lexhamenglishbible.com/preface/ ]
...the reader should remember that any Bible translation, to be useful to the person using it, must actually be read. We encourage every user of the LEB, whether reading it alongside the original languages text or not, to remember that once we understand the meaning of a biblical text we are responsible to apply it first in our own lives, and then to share it with those around us.
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