Bible Study That Works Critique
Bradford McCall
6/7/04
Honestly, I had to battle with myself to read this book by David Thompson. I detest, seemingly, all things that are not by nature objective. Further, I have been trained to deduce truth for four years while studying biology in undergraduate school, and also for two years of employment in the biotech sector. Deductive Bible study is natural, therefore, to me. I observe and deduce facts— that is my technique and approach to all things. So then, at the onset, Thompson’s book was already placed in the “dismiss column”. Additionally, I told myself, ‘Thompson’s book title offends me, for I already do Bible study that works.’ I have a severe detestation of all things subjective, due to my adamant belief that all sensory preceptors in the human body— every one— has been marred and tainted by sin. Therefore, it is incumbent in all things approached to be as precisely objective and deductive as possible.
Additionally was I taken aback by the comments made by Thompson regarding the foundation of Inductive Bible Study. Thompson stated that an English version was the foundation for the serious Bible Study proposed by Inductive methods (Thompson, 11). The assertion made by Thompson that in doing Inductive Bible Study (hereafter IBS) one begins with outlining their own conclusions, and not those of others alarmed me at first reading, for I know that it is a true assessment to state that people do not readily dismiss their first impressions, whether they be wrong or right (Thompson, 11). Thompson further alarmed me when he outlined the derivation of what now is properly called IBS. In so doing, he identified several notably liberal seminaries from which the origin of IBS came, including Garret-Evangelical and Princeton (Thompson, 12).
I must state, however, that despite my initial discrediting of Thompson’s book because of my perception of his assumed liberal bias, I forced myself to read more of his text, and frankly found many things worthy of mention and reflection. I appreciated, for example, his further delineation of IBS by stressing that Biblical books be read in units, as literary wholes, and not discreet parts. I further appreciated the emphatic nature of Thompson stating that proper Bible study must be regular and structured. Indeed, numerous times in the second Chapter, Thompson stresses that proper Bible study must be systematic and careful (e.g. Thompson, 17).
Thompson asserts correctly that the Bible works within those who study it fervently. Christians do not know, intuitively, right from wrong, nor the correct path from that which leads to error. Thompson is most correct in stating that people drift toward licentiousness when left to themselves (Thompson, 20). Therefore, it is incumbent for all to diligently study the Word.
Understanding that Bible study is direly important, one must then ask which Bible to study. Thompson makes several suggestions which are most beneficial for one seeking to choose which Bible to study. For example, Thompson posits that one needs to select a Bible that is “standardized” in that it is not a paraphrase (Thompson, 22). He then describes the differences between Formal Equivalence and Dynamic Equivalence, and seemingly favors the more literal Formally Equivalent versions, for they allow the reader to do the interpreting to the greatest degree (Thompson, 24). I share Thompson’s dislike of using paraphrase-based translations the foundation of one’s Bible study (Thompson, 24).
Thompson’s postulated two basic questions for Bible study provide a wonderful motif for Bible study, when taken both together. Indeed, in answering Thompson’s first question, one will discover what the original author in fact stated in the text. In answering the second question, one discovers the application of that original, intended meaning to today’s scenario (Thompson, 27). Thompson is unashamedly bold in asserting that all things in life should be evaluated through the Word of God (Thompson, 29). This is the goal of Bible study, I contend, and in answering these two questions offered by Thompson, one may advance closer to authentic and fruitful Bible study.
I found Thompson’s chapter regarding the study of the Bible in units (3) to be most helpful. Indeed, Thompson offers several plausible advantages gained by studying the Bible in units. Surveying the text broadly at first allows one to see the larger picture of the author’s intent, and thereafter analyzing the text closely allows one to study the individual components. Thompson then suggest that we should then once more view with the broad lens, so as to achieve synthesis of the information thus far gathered (Thompson, 33). This is a marvelous technique that trains the mind to read in a fuller sense. Further does Thompson make explicit the importance of knowing what type of literature is being read. This is a highly important bit of information to gain, for one does not desire to read a historical narrative as a piece of poetry, for that would corrupt the meaning of the text.
I personally appreciated Thompson’s chapter that amplified the various structural relationships to be found in the text of the Bible. However, I posit that this chapter will be entirely unusable by the mass of mankind going forward in time. Society has been attacked by a distinctly postmodern approach to the interpretation of the Bible. Admittedly, postmodern thought is not dominant at this time; however, people trained by a modern mindset to theology are quickly becoming a minority. Therefore, it will be only a short time in the future when the dominant interpretive motif for the Bible will be postmodern in its orientation. Postmodern thought disallows, to a great degree, the presence of any type of relationship between texts. Indeed, postmodernism discredits the idea that the writers of Scripture wanted any type of relationship to be discerned in their writings. So then, I believe that Thompson’s presentation of structural relationships will be rendered impotent in the not-so distant future.
The most valuable and enduring principle that I gathered from Thompson’s book was the notion that I should read every morsel of the Bible through the lens of Jesus’ life and teachings (Thompson, 79). I was additionally heartened by Thompson’s statement that we should look to accepted commentaries for approval of our own ideas and notions regarding the text interpreted (Thompson, 102).
In summation, Thompson’s book was profitable to read, for both instruction into new areas, and to remind me of formerly known truths regarding Bible study.
Works Cited
Thompson, David L. Bible Study That Works. Nappanee: Evangel Publishing
House, 1994.