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How to Study the Bible for Yourself
LaHaye, Tim. How to
Study the Bible for Yourself (Revised and Expanded). Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1998. ISBN:
1-56507-631-1. 207 pages +
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It is rather interesting to take on nearly classic works,
but I think it is useful as a service to those currently considering what to
use on the important topic of how to study the Bible. In another review, I note that How to Study
the Bible for All Its Worth is not designed for the beginning lay
reader. Tim LaHaye’s book is.
I say that, however, with numerous reservations. The first five chapters are excellent, in my
view, and provide useful material on the motivation for a Christian to engage
in Bible study and a systematic pattern to get started. In particular, LaHaye recommends particular
books of the Bible as a starting point, and proposes a three year reading
program to become generally acquainted with all of the Bible. He also discusses keeping a spiritual diary
and provides some excellent ideas for that process.
With the specific differences in recommended tools that I
will note before, I recommend this portion of the method provided here.
At this point, however, my general agreement with the book
ends. Chapter 6, “The Bible: The World’s Greatest Library” is basic, and I
would suggest marginally useful.
Designations of books are based on certain theological suppositions. The time frames, for example, represent a
young earth understanding—not surprising when LaHaye later recommends two books
by Dr. Henry Morris of the Institute for Creation
Research (“The Bible Has the Answer” and “Many Infallible Proofs”). The divisions of the Bible are based on the
English order. I prefer that Christian
readers at least be made aware of the Hebrew order early in the process of
study.
As a conservative alternative to chapter 6, I would
recommend appropriate sections from Fee and Stuart’s How to
Read the Bible Book by Book or The
Learning Bible (CEV) from the American Bible Society. In fact, I would recommend the CEV as the
reading Bible, and in particular the Learning
Bible as an excellent substitute for most of the additional tools needed
for early study. (See also my article Choosing a Bible with
Study Notes.)
The recommendation on page 93 to read a book at least a
dozen times I fully endorse. In fact,
there are many good suggestions in chapter 7 and 8. Studying by topics becomes much more
theologically driven, though that would be true for anyone recommending a study
by topic. I would recommend John
Jefferson Davis, Handbook
of Basic Bible Texts as a much better source dividing topics into
doctrines. Davis
covers various theological positions and presents the texts supporting the
various options.
Chapter 10 on tools for Bible study is perhaps the worst
chapter of this book. I don’t know what
sort of scholars LaHaye hangs out with, but I have strong suspicions, and the
recommendations here are universally poor.
The KJV or NKJV, in a Scofield study edition or otherwise, are very poor
choices for a new Bible student. In
fact, they are poor choices at just about any stage. The NIV is a decent choice (LaHaye’s third
option). I would recommend instead the
CEV or another easy to read version. For
a more literal version, if one absolutely must have one, the NRSV or perhaps
the NAB would be good. (See my article Bible Versions
Overview). In addition to
recommending solely books from the conservative side of the evangelical
movement, he has also recommended some older materials. See my review of “How to Study the Bible for
All Its Worth” for some alternative suggestions.) Further, rather than a harmony of the gospels
(pp. 152 & 153) I would recommend a gospel parallel such as Throckmorton’s Gospel
Parallels. Rather than glossing over
the differences between the gospels, this will help the student understand
them. Of course this is precisely the
sort of literature LaHaye is trying to prevent students from reading with
sentences like: “Because each Gospel had
a different author and was written to a different group of people or had
slightly different perspective, some of the events may at first appear to be
contradictory. False teachers have
seized on such seeming variations in the account to suggest that the Bible is
not reliable (p. 153).” Rather than
attempting to conceal the truth by papering over the differences I would
suggest learning from them and enjoying them.
They are part of the varied tapestry of scripture God has provided us.
In chapter 11 on hermeneutics LaHaye gives as his first rule
of hermeneutics "Take the Bible literally."
He says, "A good rule to follow is try to interpret each passage
literally. If this is obviously not the
case, then as a last resort try to find the spiritual or symbolical [sic] truth
it is communicating." I cannot repudiate
such a rule in strong enough terms.
There is absolutely no basis whatsoever for suggesting that the Bible
should primarily be taken literally.
Each type of literature should be read and understood on its own
terms. How literal a passage is will
vary according to the type of literature, the specific topic, and the approach
the author is taking to that topic within the genre of literature. Each case needs to be studied to determine
what is portrayed. It is fear that
engenders a rule such as this—the fear that people will step out of the
doctrinal straight-jacket prepared for them.
It is my prayer and hope that they will!
What is humorous is that rule #4 states that we should be
alert to the figurative use of language, and even lists various figures. One can only hope that people pay more
attention to #4 than they do to #1!
The last four chapters—Accelerating the Learning Process, a
chapter on Bible study time, and two chapters on Discipling all again have
valuable information. One should watch
the selection of texts for doctrinal purposes as they are certainly slanted to
the author’s theology. This point is not
a criticism, but is something one should keep in mind, especially if one
doesn’t share that theology.
As a whole, I find this book seriously lacking—and I’m well
aware of the fame of its author and the fact that it has sold over 500,000
copies. I do recommend the early
chapters, provided they are used in conjunction with a good modern version and
good Bible study tools.
