Use of the Bible in Christian Education
Introduction
Bible is the most important role in the Christian Education. Bible is the fundamental of Christian faith. It is a part of cultural treasure of human community. It is the history of God’s revelation. The preliminary aim of the Christian Education is to know about the life and the message of Jesus Christ through the scripture. When we understand about a book we must know about keen knowledge of the Historical background, and the cultural sides. According to Bible it will be more meaningful. Now we can see some approaches about to study the Bible.
I. Literal approach
All parts of the Bible are always translated as literally.[1] When we analyze historically we can see that the Jewish Priests give more important to the literary in their law. It will lead them to the idol worship. They also says that in each and every letter there is a secret meaning hide inside. This type of translation method is called as “kabaala”. Count the total letters and give descriptions to them, give new meanings and new explanation. These all are included in the “kabaala”.[2]
The surianians who lived in Antioch are realistically explained the bible massages through literally. The incidents which are noted in the Old Testament is realistically. They give more important to the Hebrewen style. In modern days only the literally approach spread all over.[3]
Martin Luther who was the modern god give more important to the literal approach. He gave up the roman culture. He give more important to the historical events which are present in the Bible. Not only John Calvin but John Wickliffe the fore-father of the protestant also steadfast in the literal approach.
Do’s and Don’ts of Literal approach
A faithful man always a slave in front of the Holy Scripture. He must be faithful infront of the Bible, also. The literal approach is not always true. For example, Matthew 26:11 “for you have the poor with you always”. Some people used this as to fight against the eradication of poverty and unemployment condition. In Matthew 27:7 says “Judas went and hanged himself”. “you also do like that”.[4] Here the literary approach shows more risk. We can see here there is no important given to the time and the incident.
So when we read the Bible we must be faithfully. We must try to understand the meaning, through historically and scientifically. So that the Holy Spirit give more help to understand the Bible verses.
II. Functional Approach
This is the method of studying the functions of the descriptions of the Bible. This approach will try to unite the matters in the Bible with the modern word. Jewish Priests follow this approach. It was the method of Jesus Christ towards the Jewish scripture.
Importance of functional approach:-
(a) Jesus Christ gave more importance to the written Law than the oral Traditions.
(b) He differentiates the Holy Scripture as important and unimportant.
The functional approach denotes the Bible messages as who? Whom? When? Where? What etc. This will help a man to know the proper meaning of the incidents in the Bible.
Methods which help functional approach
1. Swedish method: This will be published by the Y.M.C.A. in Sweeden.
It is a Bible study group. They give a question mark (?), arrow (→) and picture of a candled (⌂) to all the members.
For example:-
? The selected scripture portion will be given to every one of the members. They take 10-15 minutes to discuss about the selected portion. Then they write the question in the side of the question mark
← Here they write their ideas and the verses which are touch their mind.
⌂ what they get from the above given portion (i.e. new thinking and new knowledge) will be write on the side of the figure candle
After this the group leader read the scripture portion loudly. The questions which asked from the members, are write on the black board.
1. Iona Method :-
They give an introduction about the Scripture portion. i.e. Who , when, whom, to be, aim, tradition etc. One of them read the portion loudly and gives some time to silent reading. After this every one reveals their suggestions. Then they prefer the proper method.
2. Character Quality method :-
This is the method to study the special characters. Eg. Samson, David.
They discuss about the truth, love and try to compare the characters with their own life.
3. Biographical Method:-
They study abour the life style of any one of the hero in the Bible. They study the important things of the hero with the help of Bible commentery.
Eg. Life style of Samuel.
4. Topical Method :-
Here the group members share faithful topics.
i.e. The prayer, second coming of Jesus Christ, Healing of diseases etc.
5. Problem solving method :-
This is the fruitful way to the teenagers and adolescence. They discuss their problems and try to get remedy from the Bible.
III. Biblical Hermeneutics And Christian Education
Meaning and definition:-
The word hermeneutic is taken from the Greek word “Hermoneuo”. It meant as explanation, or interpretation. The word interpretation is taken from Latin Language. The scientifical explanation is centered that the truth of the God’s Bible is easily understand to all people. The word scientific interpretation is developed from the “Book Hermeneutica Sacra” by J. C. Dannhaver. The old traditions and the written verses are comes under the modern tradition and the written laws. For example: In Isaiah 61:1, 2 vs. Jesus preach or interpret in the modern style. In Luke 4:18, 19 says that the spirit of the lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor from the olden days onwards this interpretation goes on. The priests explained or interpret the old testaments and traditions. Midrash and Dalmooth are the Books of Interpretation.
Modern approach towards the Bible:-
(a) According to the use of the Bible there are many approaches are seen
1. In the view point of R.C. church Bible is the part of a tradition.
2. According to the protestant view, Bible is the law of Faith.
3. Bible is the religious Book. It is the revelation God to man.
(b) Using the Bible in wrong way :-
(i) Literal interpretation :- To interpret the Bible in literally is always dangerous.
(ii) Allegorical interpretation :- This interpretation is deviate from Greek to Jewish. Origan says that Paul is the pioneer of the other tongue. He also says that we must change from literal to spiritual. Martin Luther compare this interpretation to a sinful woman.
(c) How Jesus Christ use the Scripture :-
1. Jesus Christ gave more important to the written laws than that of traditional words
2. Jesus Christ did not accept the unnecessary written laws.
3. He rejects the customs indicating eye to eye, teeth to teeth.
(d) Two methods of interpretation :-
1. Modern style :- The interpreter explain the scripture is search the basic meaning of the Bible.
2. Historical Background :- This is the method to understand the meaning of the Bible. Considering the circumstances in wirtting it (Bible).
How to study the bible :-
(a) Some public laws :-
1. Always faithful to the Bible.
2. Compare the verses and study.
(b) Learning methods :-
1. Public study:- To compare the Bible history with other related Books.
2. Subject based study.
3. Repeated study.
Qualities of the Interpreter:-
The interpreter must having some qualities to fruitful the art of interpretation
1. The interpreter must be focus the Christian faith.
2. He is willing to know and learn the Bible.
3. Having the knowledge of other tongue
4. Having Devine education
5. Having love to his own church and community
Principles in the Interpretation :-
1. The interpretation of the Bible must be truly.
2. Bible will be explained on the basis of language and History.
3. Give more importance to the given topic.
4. Interpretation must be very clear.
Historical Expansion of Biblical Scientific Interpretation :-
So many scholars are study the Biblical scientific interpretation. For e.g. Frederic Schleier Macher, martin Heidegger Rudolph Bultman, Ernst Fuchs etc. From their studies they prefer some ways. In modern days Protestants think that Bible is the Basic of faith and tradition Teaching of Luther and Calvin attract the churches towards them. Biblical science is more important in the reaching. This period so many books published.
Fame of the Scientific Interpretation in Indian Background.
According to Indian life Biblical Laws are more important than interpretation. The way of interpretation from the protestant tradition will be existing today also.
Responsibility of church
Today we are living in the numerical world. Here numerical means culture, language, politics, cast, education etc. In this situation the church will proclaim Jesus Christ’s message. At this situation a priest or a Sunday school teacher calls to interpret the scripture. It is not an easy work. So the men who are the church workers in a church will educated and always faithful. We must interpret truly, faithfully and responsibility.
IV. Problems Involved In Teaching The Bible To Various Age Groups :-
In this situation we can understand the problems facing the different age groups in studying the Bible. A child is born in a situation of the living man and different things. According to Thorndike the psychologist says that learning must be in a sufficient situation. According to G.A. Co if a man reveals his personality, he will be growing. If a man wants to grow he must think and do the proper matters.
Pre-school Children
Children of this stage, their concentration power will very less. They can’t concentrate in one thing like that of elders. They get all the good habits from their family. i.e. Family prayer church services etc. This is basic of cast feeling teach the love of Jesus to them Telling story, showing pictures are the simple way to teach this group of children.
Primary stage (5yrs-9yrs)
They try to adjust with the world and he think that the world is like that of their home. They always accompany with their some age groups. Sometimes they give more difficulties to the parents and teachers.
7 years children :-
They ask so many questions about God and Heaven. They are more confident in their activities.
8 years children :-
They always eager to study and participate in the church and try to learn by heart the Biblical verses. They were very interesting to know and hear about the Bible.
9 years children :-
They love their family members. They help their parents in their work. They find fault others, especially teachers and parents. They try to follow the habits of teachers and parents.
Adolescents :-
They ask so many questions abut God and prayer. They are having the habit of helping others.
Old age :-
All of them having so many abilities. The middle old agers are having the capacity to study well. When their age increases the abilities of thinking are decreases. Thorndike says that the age of 20-25 years are having good learning ability
Conclusion
The functional approach is more useful than that of literal approach. According to the modern Biblical scholarship the interpretation method has so many changes. We can understand the biblical text with the help of Biblical languages, knowledge of Geography customs, archeological findings, textual studies etc.
When we go through the Bible we are having the feeling of Jesus Christ. The problem of interpretation and their branches will be studied more and elaborate. We can’t separate Biblical interpretation from interior science. Bible is the only way of spiritual experiences of man.
Bibliography
T. John, Christian Education TLC, TVLA, 1965.
Dr. Sabheer P. Athiyal history and principles TLC, TVLA, 1970.
Biblical Explanation C.S.S. TVLA, 2005.
Vimala Palouse. Introducing Christian education. Madras CLS: 1986.
A. Coe. what is Christian education. New York: C.S. Sons press 1969.
Fergurdn Dancan. Biblical hermeneutics. London: SCM Press, 1987.
