Helps to Bible Study by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 23, 1883

Helps to Bible Study.

By Editor

IN gaining a knowledge of the Bible, nothing will take the place of a careful and continual reading of the Bible itself. No study of books, however good they may be, will make up for a lack of knowledge of the exact language of the sacred text. But there are very few, perhaps none, who can get a proper understanding of the Bible without some outside helps. Few persons are so well versed in history, or in the manners and customs of the ancients, as not to fail to see the force of many of the statements made in the Scriptures. And in regard to texts having reference only to doctrine, much light may be gained from a good commentary; for even though the author be wrong in his conclusions, a line of thought may be suggested to us which will enable us to arrive at the correct interpretation.

First among these helps, we would place our own denominational works, such as "History of the Sabbath," "United States in Prophecy," "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," "Constitutional Amendment," "Man's Nature and Destiny," "The Great Controversy," three volumes, "Sketches from the Life of Paul," "Spirit of God," "Thoughts on Christian Baptism," "Atonement," and "Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism." Advertisements of these books will be found in this and succeeding numbers of the SIGNS. They are true "helps," not designed to take the place of the Bible, but invariably referring to it for authority for every opinion advanced, giving chapter and verse.

Of course every one who proposes to study the Bible will procure a good concordance.

"Smith's Comprehensive Dictionary of the Bible" is a standard work, and is an absolute necessity to the Bible student. It is to him what Webster's Dictionary and the "American Cyclopedia" are to the ordinary student.

Nothing in the line of commentaries is much better for the average student than "Barnes' Notes," on the New Testament, and portions of the Old.

"Clarke's Commentaries," though old, are good for a critical study of the text. His theological opinions on many points are the very best; but he is too much inclined to spiritualize the text. These, and all commentaries, the student must use simply as helps, and not depend wholly on them.

The "Hand-book of Bible Geography" is a valuable aid in becoming familiar with the countries concerning which the Bible speaks, and in which its scenes were enacted.

And last, though by no means the least, we notice the "Revised New Testament." It is the work of some of the most eminent scholars of both hemispheres, and although not perfect, it gives on very many texts a better idea of the original than does King James' Version. We would by no means recommend that it take the place of the old version, but no one should fail to have a copy for comparison. As a commentary it is excellent.

For prices and styles of all books above mentioned, see our advertisements.