Here is a fresh, demystifying look at Bible study for everyone.
You’ll find a brief history of the Bible and its translation, with an overview of the best study tools and methods, and a helpful guide to formal writing and public speaking.
There’s also an invaluable introduction to logic, reason, and critical thinking.
Interpreting Scripture is a sacred trust. Don’t take it for granted. Take it seriously.
Thomas Gaston shows how intertextuality can help unravel knotty passages.
Earlier Christadelphians encouraged the use of the latest and best quality resources. Wilson's Diaglott has been out of date for more than 100 years. John Carter recommended a superior Greek interlinear, which was one of the best in his day but has since been superseded by more accurate texts.
Wilfred Lambert reminds us that good Bible students follow the evidence.
John Martin demonstrates the importance of background information. Notice the reference to assumed knowledge.
J. W. Thirtle turns to contemporary textual criticism for guidance on the variant readings of Matthew 6:33.
C. C. Walker's knowledge of sociohistorical context sheds light on the book of Job.
Gnosticism (from the Greek word gnōsis, meaning 'knowledge') was a mystical belief system that is still greatly misunderstood. Many errors regarding its origins and teachings are perpetuated to this day.
Gnosticism emerged from within the Christian community during the 2nd Century AD and is therefore a Christian heresy, not a pagan intruder.
There is no evidence of any pre-Christian Gnostic literature or oral tradition (Gnostic writings all date from the Christian era) and no belief system resembling Gnosticism in the 1st century AD.
Gnostics claimed to be heirs of secret traditions passed down from Jesus through a clandestine tradition.
One of their earliest leaders was a heretic called Valentinus. His followers said he had been taught by a fellow Gnostic called Theudas, whom they believed had been instructed by the apostle Paul.
Gnostic doctrine can be summarised as follows:
* There are two gods: an evil god and a good god
* The evil god is an imperfect deity called the Demiurge; it was he who created the material world
* The good god is called the Pleroma or Bythos; he is superior to the Demiurge in power and character, and too pure to interact with creation
* There are lesser divine beings (called Aeons) who emanate from the Pleroma; their role is unclear
* The material world is 'fallen', 'broken', 'evil', and irredeemable
* A tiny portion of the divine still resides in each of us and must be reawoken before it can return to its source; it is through this process that individuals achieve salvation
Some Gnostics taught that Jesus was an incarnation of the supreme God, come to offer salvation.
Others taught that Jesus was a false messiah.
Still others believed Jesus was merely human but achieved deity through gnōsis.
Milk To Meat
For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:13,14)
