How do we study the Bible to know God?
Much has been said about our own efforts in study by reasoning. Books, manuscripts and theses have been written and argued to promote and defend different theologies and propositions. Many of these are very learned and well-written, and should be encouraged to continue. We defiintely need more discipline in digging into the Word of God and to study it progressively at a higher level.
Another equally important dimension is that of Divine Revelation. Unless God chooses to reveal Himself to us, much of what we studied and thought true could be vain ignorance, for who are we to claim that we can study and know God?
In the Bible, God chooses to reveal Himself to us. We can see many verses supporting this, one of which is Isaiah 43:12 "I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God."
As He reveals Himself to us, through the Word we should draw near to Him and know Him firsthand. He is know-able, which is quite rare as compared to other gods, especially those in the Ancient Near East.
In a way, knowing God through Divine Revelation is more difficult than Human Reasoning as it require us to draw near to God in faith, humility and with a contrite heart. He will definitely reveal but are we willing to draw near? It is easier to choose the path of Human Reasoning as it can be done with our intellect without an encounter with God and a need to look at our own condition and change our ways.
At the end of the day, as we study His Word, both ways are important and we should not weigh too much on one at the exclusion of the other.
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