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Between the Lines: Unlocking Scripture with Timeless Principles
Well-known author and teacher Joseph Fielding McConkie's takes an inspiring new look at how to read scriptures in ways that will deepen our understanding and help us to draw closer to the Lord.
Chapters include such titles as:
Methods Are Not the Answer,
The Best Bible Commentary,
What Scripture Says about Scripture,
The Doctrine of Common Sense,
The Language of Symbols, and
Unlocking the Mysteries.
To read scripture is one thing; to read it with understanding is quite another, McConkie says. The purpose of this work is to identify the timeless principles that facilitate sound scriptural understanding. In it we will seek to see what scripture says about understanding scripture. We want to drink at the fountainhead, not below the horses.
McConkie adds, Gospel understanding is a journey, not a destination. Each day of the journey starts with its own sense of excitement and leads to its own lessons. In each reading of the scriptures, you can find things that were not there the last time you read them.
Focusing on one of key purposes of scripture, he says, We do not want to have hearing problems when the Lord speaks. What we want is to be familiar with the sound of his voice. Scripture is our textbook in so doing. Stated simply, revelation begets revelation. Those who study scripture are much more inclined to see and hear where spiritual things are concerned than those who do not.
Unknown Binding
First published June 22, 2011
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About the author
Joseph Fielding McConkie
41 books16 followersJoseph Fielding McConkie received a Doctorate of Education from Brigham Young University in 1973, following which he became the director of the LDS Institute of Religion at the University of Washington in Seattle. Four years later he joined the faculty at BYU where he is now a Professor of Ancient Scripture. He is the author or co-author of 25 books, the most recent being a 1200 page work titled Revelations of the Restoration. His scholarly interests center in scripture and doctrine. Other experiences include being an LDS Chaplain in Vietnam, a mission president in Scotland, and a Stake President at BYU.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_F...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 27, 2011
I have mixed feelings about this book. I thought many of the points made were very valid and excellent ways to enhance scripture reading and understanding. However, something in the delivery didn't jive with me. In reading this book, I did feel encouraged to beef up my scripture reading habits. However, I also found myself often feeling inadequate to read the scriptures. Without indepth understanding of every cross reference, alternative translation, historical definitions, backgrounds of all people and places involved, etc, it seemed i would surely misinterpret the verses and the doctrine being taught. I nearly thought to myself, why bother if I'm probably going to get it all wrong? The depth of knowledge that Joseph McConkie suggests as being required to truly understand the scriptures is very daunting. Still, I found his suggestions useful and will try to implement some of them in my scripture study.
September 24, 2009
This book is subtitled "Unlocking Scripture with Timeless Principles," and the author points out in his preface:
"To read scripture is one thing, to read it with understanding is quite another. In like manner, it is one thing to read poetry and quite another to understand it.... The reading of scripture, which for the purpose of this work I will define as the proper use and true understanding of the standard works, has always sustained and lifted my soul; the misreading of those texts has been a form of torture that far exceeds the reading of bad poetry--or of poetry badly understood. My hope is that at least some of my sins will be negated for having endured more than a fair share of scriptural abuse. If not, I can at least commiserate with the poets."
He goes on to state that:
"The purpose of this work is to identify the timeless principles that facilitate sound scriptural understanding. The principles cited will come from the scriptures themselves. In it we will seek to see what scripture says about understanding scripture. We want to drink at the fountainhead, not below the horses.... We cannot be blessed by principles we do not live; and we cannot live principles we do not know."
From the preface, he goes on to discuss the principles that can help in scripture study in twenty insightful chapters. He points out that study methods cannot promise understanding, that "to know the gospel you must live it." He talks about being clear about the purpose of scripture study and about setting goals that will fulfill that purpose.
He discusses approaches to study and points out that a great way to begin would be to follow the path that the Lord took Joseph Smith on as He revealed the gospel through him: the First Vision, the Book of Mormon, the Old and New Testaments, and then moving to the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The chapter in which he discusses this path is much more detailed than this as it explains the process of Joseph's growth and understanding.
He goes on to stress that scripture study must be guided by the Spirit and he discusses "the injunction of the Lord to seek learning by faith." He also points out that "the habit of conceding to the Spirit reaps greater spiritual strength than the practice of resisting it" though too many of us fear such concessions foolishly.
He also discusses commentaries, pointing out that the scriptures themselves are a commentary as well, and he spends several chapters on how this works. He spends time on the small things along with the larger picture, and explains how interpretation can lead to application in our lives. He emphasizes the importance of understanding context.
"Every scriptural text has two contexts: the immediate moment or circumstances that evoked the statement, and the larger context in which it must take its proper place in relation to all other correct principles or utterances."
And he explores how both apply to scripture study, warning that "all texts are corrupted by isolation."
He urges balance and common sense in scripture study and he takes the reader through two ways to search the scriptures: "'searching' a specific text" and following where it leads and what other scriptures may add to it in commentary, and "'searching' a gospel principle" by looking up the various scripture references to that principle and seeing what they say together.
He spends several chapters on symbols, dividing the literal from the figurative, how word meanings may have changed over time, likening scriptures unto ourselves, and unlocking the "mysteries."
Why is this so important? As the author points out:
"...the reason we continue to read and study scriptures [is that:] no matter how well we have understood it, we can still grow in our understanding. Each time we read the scriptures we are entitled to see things that were not evident in our previous reading.... we can know God only to the extent that we are like him, or we can understand his word only to the extent that we are living it. As our understanding of the gospel grows and as our ability to live it increases, God will unfold more and more of the mysteries of heaven to us."
His concluding chapter is titled "Reflections of a Teacher" and in it he shares some of his own experiences along with those of others he has taught and learned from.
I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about how to truly study scripture. Though small, it is powerful and uplifting, a book to read over and over again.
"To read scripture is one thing, to read it with understanding is quite another. In like manner, it is one thing to read poetry and quite another to understand it.... The reading of scripture, which for the purpose of this work I will define as the proper use and true understanding of the standard works, has always sustained and lifted my soul; the misreading of those texts has been a form of torture that far exceeds the reading of bad poetry--or of poetry badly understood. My hope is that at least some of my sins will be negated for having endured more than a fair share of scriptural abuse. If not, I can at least commiserate with the poets."
He goes on to state that:
"The purpose of this work is to identify the timeless principles that facilitate sound scriptural understanding. The principles cited will come from the scriptures themselves. In it we will seek to see what scripture says about understanding scripture. We want to drink at the fountainhead, not below the horses.... We cannot be blessed by principles we do not live; and we cannot live principles we do not know."
From the preface, he goes on to discuss the principles that can help in scripture study in twenty insightful chapters. He points out that study methods cannot promise understanding, that "to know the gospel you must live it." He talks about being clear about the purpose of scripture study and about setting goals that will fulfill that purpose.
He discusses approaches to study and points out that a great way to begin would be to follow the path that the Lord took Joseph Smith on as He revealed the gospel through him: the First Vision, the Book of Mormon, the Old and New Testaments, and then moving to the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The chapter in which he discusses this path is much more detailed than this as it explains the process of Joseph's growth and understanding.
He goes on to stress that scripture study must be guided by the Spirit and he discusses "the injunction of the Lord to seek learning by faith." He also points out that "the habit of conceding to the Spirit reaps greater spiritual strength than the practice of resisting it" though too many of us fear such concessions foolishly.
He also discusses commentaries, pointing out that the scriptures themselves are a commentary as well, and he spends several chapters on how this works. He spends time on the small things along with the larger picture, and explains how interpretation can lead to application in our lives. He emphasizes the importance of understanding context.
"Every scriptural text has two contexts: the immediate moment or circumstances that evoked the statement, and the larger context in which it must take its proper place in relation to all other correct principles or utterances."
And he explores how both apply to scripture study, warning that "all texts are corrupted by isolation."
He urges balance and common sense in scripture study and he takes the reader through two ways to search the scriptures: "'searching' a specific text" and following where it leads and what other scriptures may add to it in commentary, and "'searching' a gospel principle" by looking up the various scripture references to that principle and seeing what they say together.
He spends several chapters on symbols, dividing the literal from the figurative, how word meanings may have changed over time, likening scriptures unto ourselves, and unlocking the "mysteries."
Why is this so important? As the author points out:
"...the reason we continue to read and study scriptures [is that:] no matter how well we have understood it, we can still grow in our understanding. Each time we read the scriptures we are entitled to see things that were not evident in our previous reading.... we can know God only to the extent that we are like him, or we can understand his word only to the extent that we are living it. As our understanding of the gospel grows and as our ability to live it increases, God will unfold more and more of the mysteries of heaven to us."
His concluding chapter is titled "Reflections of a Teacher" and in it he shares some of his own experiences along with those of others he has taught and learned from.
I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about how to truly study scripture. Though small, it is powerful and uplifting, a book to read over and over again.
Read
January 4, 2012I couldn't figure out his perspective, or paradigm. When talking about the importance of praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true, he said that he couldn't imagine anyone who had prayed to know if the Bible was true. ?!?! I still can't figure out where he was going with that one.
Maybe someday I'll give it another look. I'm going to focus on Elder Bednar scripture study talks for now.
Maybe someday I'll give it another look. I'm going to focus on Elder Bednar scripture study talks for now.
July 18, 2009
One of the best books I have read for the LDS student of the scriptures. I learned alot and am anxious to apply some of the principles to my own gospel study.
September 15, 2011
Great read--I found it easy to follow and insightful at the same time
August 28, 2010
Great book! I recommend it for anyone who wants a better understanding of how the scriptures are meant to be studied and used. McConkie never disappoints me.
May 1, 2010
Great Book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews