Preachers of the gospel often tell people that they should allow the scriptures to
speak on their own merit, without shaping their theology by tradition, former teaching,
family influences, etc. It is important for us to interpret the sacred writings in a fair
and credible manner. But, it is also necessary for us to know how to safeguard our
hearts in a way that allows us to study the Bible without personal bias. How can
we do this?
First, it is imperative to remember that when we study the word of God,
we are seeking God's will, and that doing so necessitates that we allow the
Bible to speak for itself regardless of what others think or say. It is never right to
force the scriptures to teach something that they do not teach, in order to please
a friend, parent, spouse, or even an enemy. It is not right to corrupt or make
merchandise of the word of God! (2 Corinthians 2:17) We do not want to be like
the preacher who was looking for a place to preach, and one of the elders of a
congregation asked him, "Where do you stand on the 'brotherhood' issues?" The
preacher replied, "Where do you want me to stand?" In order to protect oneself
against personal bias in Bible study, a person must be brutally honest with the
word of the living God.
Second, a person must be willing to change when God's word contradicts
some personal or doctrinal belief that he holds. This is one thing that
many people will not do because it may mean that they will appear to be weak
or wishy-washy to other people. Most people would rather remain wrong and
save face than to change and save their souls! Honest people will approach God's
word asking, "What would you have me to do Lord?" Satisfying the Lord's will is
their supreme goal in life. When arrogance and pride get in the way, personal bias
becomes a stumbling block and such a person chooses to fight rather than switch.
(Proverbs 16:18; 1 Peter 5:6)
Third, be prepared to "let the facts be the facts." "Stick to your guns" when
you have thoroughly studied a subject, a word, or a biblical concept, and have
reached the proper conclusion that aligns with Bible teaching, Resist the temptation
to stand with notable men even when they are wrong. We should not be afraid or
ashamed to differ with people whom we respect when their understanding and
application of scripture are erroneous. We are servants of the most high God.
Jesus told the Jews, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
(John 8:32) God's word is truth. (John 17:17) God's word has veracity and it
must be allowed to stand. Seek truth...accept the facts on any religious subject.
Fourth, we can alleviate personal bias in Bible study by approaching
the scriptures with "freshness" each time we turn to them. There could be and
usually is something we missed. As an example: many people have read John 3:16
many times, and have not realized that the phrase "God so loved the world," is not
indicating the intensity or degree of God's love for the world. The word "so" translates
the Greek word houtos which is an adverb, indicating the manner or way God
loved the world. There is no doubt that God's love for the world is great, but that is
not the point of the word "so" in John 3:16. (cf. Eph. 2:4)
It is incumbent on all of us to approach the scriptures as free of personal bias
as we can be, for in this way we will allow the Book to speak and we will listen.
The Book will lead and we must follow.
R. Daly
Copyright 2011
speak on their own merit, without shaping their theology by tradition, former teaching,
family influences, etc. It is important for us to interpret the sacred writings in a fair
and credible manner. But, it is also necessary for us to know how to safeguard our
hearts in a way that allows us to study the Bible without personal bias. How can
we do this?
First, it is imperative to remember that when we study the word of God,
we are seeking God's will, and that doing so necessitates that we allow the
Bible to speak for itself regardless of what others think or say. It is never right to
force the scriptures to teach something that they do not teach, in order to please
a friend, parent, spouse, or even an enemy. It is not right to corrupt or make
merchandise of the word of God! (2 Corinthians 2:17) We do not want to be like
the preacher who was looking for a place to preach, and one of the elders of a
congregation asked him, "Where do you stand on the 'brotherhood' issues?" The
preacher replied, "Where do you want me to stand?" In order to protect oneself
against personal bias in Bible study, a person must be brutally honest with the
word of the living God.
Second, a person must be willing to change when God's word contradicts
some personal or doctrinal belief that he holds. This is one thing that
many people will not do because it may mean that they will appear to be weak
or wishy-washy to other people. Most people would rather remain wrong and
save face than to change and save their souls! Honest people will approach God's
word asking, "What would you have me to do Lord?" Satisfying the Lord's will is
their supreme goal in life. When arrogance and pride get in the way, personal bias
becomes a stumbling block and such a person chooses to fight rather than switch.
(Proverbs 16:18; 1 Peter 5:6)
Third, be prepared to "let the facts be the facts." "Stick to your guns" when
you have thoroughly studied a subject, a word, or a biblical concept, and have
reached the proper conclusion that aligns with Bible teaching, Resist the temptation
to stand with notable men even when they are wrong. We should not be afraid or
ashamed to differ with people whom we respect when their understanding and
application of scripture are erroneous. We are servants of the most high God.
Jesus told the Jews, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
(John 8:32) God's word is truth. (John 17:17) God's word has veracity and it
must be allowed to stand. Seek truth...accept the facts on any religious subject.
Fourth, we can alleviate personal bias in Bible study by approaching
the scriptures with "freshness" each time we turn to them. There could be and
usually is something we missed. As an example: many people have read John 3:16
many times, and have not realized that the phrase "God so loved the world," is not
indicating the intensity or degree of God's love for the world. The word "so" translates
the Greek word houtos which is an adverb, indicating the manner or way God
loved the world. There is no doubt that God's love for the world is great, but that is
not the point of the word "so" in John 3:16. (cf. Eph. 2:4)
It is incumbent on all of us to approach the scriptures as free of personal bias
as we can be, for in this way we will allow the Book to speak and we will listen.
The Book will lead and we must follow.
R. Daly
Copyright 2011
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