I have been studying the Bible on my own since 1980 collecting over 300 studies and finding more than 350 key words within the Bible. I found that knowing the spiritual meaning of these key words made understanding Bible text much easier. I was shown a method of word studies that made more sense than anything I had seen before. It took some practice to recognize text that contained key words and phrases that were suitable for study. It turns out that a very simple rule is true for all text that is suitable for word studies. If the statement made is not physically possible the text must have a spiritual meaning. This is one of William Miller’s rules of interpretation.
I have also been an engineer for over twenty five years which has given me a keen sense of detail and has exercised my methods of reasoning and deduction. I have always been filled with a desire to know how things work. That may be a key reason why I was so attracted to this method of study. The Bible was written in a style that could never be imitated by any man.
I have spent many years researching the styles of study used by early Adventist pioneers and have found these studies and methods much easier to understand. Whenever I read a modern book on Bible study I find the book so filled with clichés that the book contains no substance at all. On the other hand other books are written in forms of the English language that make them very difficult to understand until you become familiar with the terminology. With some books I find myself looking up words in the dictionary on just about every sentence. I’ve often wondered how these writers missed the concept that Jesus taught in simple everyday language.
That is what I am attempting to achieve with this web site. To explain Bible study in easy to understand terms and examples. If you have any suggestions I would be pleased to hear them. I would also appreciate any sites that you would recommend as links. I realize that other sites have advanced study methods that can offer additional growth in your spiritual life.
September 13, 2008 at 9:31 am
I too am compiling a list of links to SDA Bible studies. Can you suggest some more? In particular I am wanting to get Bible studies on areas that I don’t currently have such as:
– parables
– Bible stories
– books of the Bible
– word studies
http://www.dougplata.com/studies.htm
Thanks,
Doug
September 13, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Doug
The only other person I know is actively writing on word studies is Bill Barrett. His link to Parables of Jesus of Jesus is under the Blogroll on the left. I am putting together samples from Early Adventist writers. I have the first study almost completed and this will be centering on samples of study methods. The next one I will do will center on parables. You can copy all of these books from the General Conference Office of Archives linnk on the left. I will also be adding my own short stories. Here is a link to some of them. http://hystar.wordpress.com/the-rich-man/
Thank you for your input.
March 7, 2009 at 9:36 am
You know there are many people around the would that study the bible in like manner. Many people that don’t go to church because they can see the man of sin standing in the holy place the churches. i know its only by the Grace of God why we can read the bible and understand these things. On the other hand sometime i feel lonely and depress. Everyone around me think i am crazy or wack. I have no one in person to study with but God, no friend because they are not in the bible, no one to relate to. Is hard sometimes for me so i got up early in the morning searching net for bible studies to see if there are other out there like me. I thank God i found this site. So far what i read confirm the doctrines I hold to be true. Pray for me sir. God bless
June 6, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Hi Brother!
Yes we are “out there” :) Our family just got back from the
Barretts place in Greenville. They are starting a small health
food store and deli, it’s really nice, they are wonderful, people.
He is a gardener and off grid guy/has fun with his homestead
like we do. Yes there are some that study using the prinicples that Christ taught. The bread(bible) taste soooooo much better with the butter(spiritual meaning) What is your email and name? We’ll have to talk :) I’m from Michigan.
March 7, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Camron
Thank you for your kind words. I know what you are talking about when you say few people have a deep understanding of the Bible. I remember when I was learning. I used to be a member of a church where most people studied more than I did and I was often corrected on some of my early concepts. It is good to be pushed to learn more as a Christian. It is difficult to be in a position where there is no one to relate to concerning the scriptures.
I look forward to reading more of your comments and maybe seeing some of your studies. I have a few I feel are so advanced, it would be difficult for others to understand.