The study of the Bible by topics is one of the most valuable and widely used methods. This is the method of analysis which calls for a searching out of all statements of Scripture dealing with a given topic, and brings the combined teaching into logical and conclusive form to be grasped and understood. Prayerfulness, integrity, thoroughness, and accuracy on the part of the student are to be emphasized as of necessary importance.
Since the topical study method touches Scripture teaching or doctrine, we may well be admonished that without the personal guidance of the Spirit of God, there is grave danger of misinterpretation, misconstruction, misapplication, and wrong conclusions resulting therefrom. Therefore, it cannot be too strongly urged that there be very careful and painstaking effort in study. The student must not be overambitious to discover "new light," but he should be original in his study. When there are severe criticisms of honest but faulty efforts made in Bible study, the result may be a fear complex which will militate against original Bible study; and this should be guarded against. On the other hand, let us not forget the admonition of Paul concerning the test to which original study conclusions are to be subjected:
"If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain." 1 Tim. 6:3.
In topical Bible study there is ample opportunity for individuality and originality, and students will not all follow the same method. The following suggestions may encourage thoroughness and accuracy:
a. Selection of Topics.—Pollow the line of interest, and give study to the subject of which you are most eager to learn. A list of topics may be gathered from one's general reading. If it is desired to gain a comprehensive view of Bible doctrines as a whole, it would be well to prepare a list of topics which fairly well represent the field of Scripture teaching. Study the topics one by one, in some order of logical sequence, and complete the study of one topic before beginning another.
A comprehensive list of topics need not necessarily be lengthy. The following list of seven topics leads into the entire field of Bible teaching: (1) God the Father, (2) God the Son, (3) God the Holy Spirit, (4) Holy Angels, (5) Satan, (6) Demons, (7) Man. These seven topics may be reduced to three; namely, Deity, Angels (holy and evil), Man.
An excellent method of preparing a list of topics for original Bible study is to take the threefold message of Revelation 14:6-12 as a syllabus for topical study of the Bible. Analyze this message very carefully. Take the statements which form the basis for topics, such as "everlasting gospel," "fear God," "give glory to Him," "the hour of His judgment," et cetera; make a thorough study of each, and follow their leads into various phases of Scripture teaching. It is surprising to discover how fully the entire field of Scripture teaching is embraced within the scope of this message.
b. Be Original.—With the list of topics before him, together with the open Bible and a good Concordance, let the student enter upon the field of research first-handed, focusing attention and effort directly upon the Sacred Writings themselves, rather than upon what others say concerning them. There is a proper place for the consideration of what other men have to say about Scripture teaching; but we are not prepared to give attention to this field of study until we have exhausted our resources in searching out what the Bible itself reveals. After we have satisfied ourselves that, to the best of our ability, and with such facilities for study as we have at our command, we have uncovered the true teaching of the Bible upon any given topic, it is safe to investigate the claims, comments, and convictions of Bible students who have given evidence of being men of God.
c. Be Thorough.—The law governing the discovery of Bible doctrine is to ascertain that teaching which harmonizes all the Scripture evidence on the point in question. The student is to produce the complete Bible testimony. He must search until he finds all that the Bible has to say about the subject, at least, in so far as it lies within his possibilities of comprehension. Never mind if the hours of labor lengthen; faint not if progress seems slow; grow not weary if the abundance of Scripture evidence piles up into a mountain of seemingly inextricable confusion, or if, on the other hand, the scantiness of discoverable testimony seems baffling. Pray, believe, seek, labor on. Evidence will be found in most unexpected ways and places. A clue often appears in the use of a word, or in the language of the context, or in the circumstances forming the historical background of the passage, or even in the geographical situation of the inspired author or of the events described. Follow the clue as a hunter trails the dim tracks of his game, and soon it will be found that that small clue is the tiny opening that leads into an increasing volume of light. At the end of the trail, the Bible student experiences a thrill and a joy beyond anything the world knows. It is like the glory of the bursting sunrise after a night of midnight darkness.
But the student must not stop at this point. The sunrise is only the beginning of the day's brightness. Study on. Lay hold upon the increasing light that shines from Scripture as it opens up before the mind, until the warmth and life of the noontide of Scripture light shine upon you and fill your soul to overflowing. Then what?
d. Be Thankful.—Conduct a prayer and praise service, even if the student himself is the only one in attendance. If there are fellow students who can join in the spirit of such an occasion, invite them in, tell them of the blessing of discovery, and let them share in the thanksgiving. At such a time the words of David are especially applicable:
"How precious is Thy loving-kindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of Thy wings.
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house;
And Thou wilt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.
For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light shall we see light." Ps. 36:7-9.
e. Be Faithful.—Truth ever bears in its train both privilege and responsibility, and light always brings its recipient face to face with duty. When the light of truth penetrated the darkness of the mind of the apostle Paul, there came to him in the selfsame hour the appointment of his mission. Paul lay prostrate upon the ground, for a light brighter than the sun had blinded his eyes. A voice spoke to him in Hebrew, saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad." Paul, the earnest, ardent, but deceived opponent of truth, answered: "Who art Thou, Lord?" The reply to this question was direct and clear, setting forth the appointment of Paul's mission:
"The Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen Me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Me." Acts 26:15-18.
More than twenty years later, Paul testified before Agrippa, saying: "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." At the end of his life journey, when about to lay down his burden, he looked back upon his experience from the day the vision came to him, and said: "I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim. 4:7. What a wonderful example of faithfulness! Accompanying every heavenly vision of light is its specific appointment; and to everyone who receives divine light the injunction is given, "Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." 1 Cor. 4:2.
f. Be Systematic.—The student should keep careful memoranda of every point he finds in his search for light upon any topic, and he should take care to give to each passage or statement of Scripture its right meaning before recording its point of evidence. When he is through searching for evidence, then comes the work of organizing the various points of Bible testimony, thus reducing the whole mass of material to a logical outline or analysis of the Bible teaching on the subject. Following this, the student would do well to set down in brief, concise statements, the high points which form the backbone, as it were, of the subject as a whole. Then, while the subject is fresh in mind, draw up briefly, yet adequately, a conclusion as to the Bible teaching on the subject, in the light of all the evidence presented.
g. Be Conservative.—Having progressed to this stage in topical Bible study, the student should seriously ponder, "Am I sure that I have rightly divided the word of truth?" and in meditation he should retire to the quiet place of communion with God, and pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit to anoint his eyes that he may see everything distinctly in its true perspective, and to water his soul with waters from the living fountain. He has now, but not before, reached the place where he can profit by study of the writings of other investigators of the subject. He should first turn to the writings of the Spirit of prophecy and read all he can find on the subject, and then read what has been written by well-recognized Bible students, reviewing and re-examining the Scripture proofs from time to time. All this will lead to a balanced, sane, and sound knowledge and comprehension of the truth about the subject, and qualify for "rightly dividing the word of truth." On such a basis of preparation, the student will not attempt to cover the whole subject in one sermon or study, but will present this or that phase of the subject, as the Spirit leads, keeping all teaching in the right setting and relationship to the subject as a whole.
h. Be Constructive.—As the final step in this outline of procedure for topical Bible study, let us place the word "constructive." The student should aim to build up a knowledge of truth, rather than to tear down the teachings of error. Let negations take care of themselves. The best way to dispell darkness is to hold up the light.
Truth, when boldly spread abroad, will uncover error and expose its deceptions. Therefore, be positive rather than negative, constructive rather than destructive.
In concluding the survey of the three methods of Bible study,—reading, memorizing, topical,—I wish to emphasize that every Bible student, be he minister, Bible worker, teacher, or layman, should, as far as possible, thoroughly pursue the method of topical Bible study. But no one should study the Bible in topical manner exclusively. Topical Bible study is the great roadway into rich fields of Scripture truth, and it is, in fact, the only way into some phases of the Bible message; but it does not lead into all phases of the content of Scripture. This is the method of analysis in Scripture teaching. If followed exclusively, it will leave the student without the broadest concept of the Bible message, and may incline him toward cold dogmatism. In spiritual as well as in physical things, we do not get on well if confined to one line of diet.
In a later article, suggestions on other methods of Bible study will be presented.
Pine Bluffs, Wyo.
