• “Thinking Biblically in a Secular World”

• With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your

bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you

squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice

that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

Romans 12:1 – JB Philips Translation

Can O Worms

Being “Berean”• Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than

those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to

see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 NIV

• Clearly they were teachable• But they checked it out

• Why was the Bible written do you think?

• ...In non-essentials liberty... In all things charity (love)

• What is essential?• How is that determined?• What about consequences?

In Essentials Unity....

Scripture is Inspired• All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for

teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

• Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own

interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human,

spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1 NIV

Study – just read it! • Be diligent to present yourself approved to

God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

• It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all

extremes. Ecclesiastes 7:18

Which Bible do I use?

• STUDY the more literal ones – read the others devotionally

• Get U-Version – https://www.youversion.com/

Why do versions differ?• Partly to do with Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT) translation issues

• Only affects secondary issueseg “prayer and fasting” KJV

• Stems primarily from textual issues....

Texts – Manuscripts - MSS

Texts – Manuscripts - MSS• Byzantine Text type =

N/KJV

• Older vrs All texts

• Majority Text

• *Note sheer volume of texts 25-30,000

• Eclectic TextNIV, ESV, NET

• Exegesis – “what it mean to the original hears back there and then”

• Hermeneutics:Interpretation & Application

• Context• Scripture with Scripture

• Whole counsel of God SystematicTheological doctrines and practices

“Rightly Dividing”

• John 1 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness

about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was

before me.’”) 16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses;

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the

Father's side, he has made him known.

Grace and Truth