How I Read, Study and Interpret the Bible

Rightly Dividing – Hermeneutics – Exegesis – Exposition – Pedagogy

These are the methods I used to study and interpret the Bible regarding this website and the Gap Fact beliefs.

  • I believe in comparing scripture with scripture. In other words, I like to see how a word or phrase is used elsewhere in the bible.
  • I believe the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself.
  • I believe in a literal historical interpretation of Genesis and not an allegorization.
  • I look at the broader context of the paragraph, chapter and whole book when looking at a verse or phrase. Does my interpretation match this broader context or is my own private agenda taking precedence?
  • I use Blue Letter Bible as my main search tool for comparing scripture.
  • I seek wisdom from other Believers and ask for their critical thoughts on my interpretations.
  • While I do not know Hebrew, Greek I am not opposed to studying a particular word or phrase using the tools available at Blue Letter Bible.
  • Regarding this specific subject “The Gap Fact”: I have listened to probably close to 100 hours of sermons and YouTube videos from many of the different proponents of this doctrine. I have bought hundreds of dollars’ worth of books, commentaries and study Bible’s from the proponents on this subject so that I can hopefully fully understand their views and interpretations. My bibliography is available here though not totally exhaustive as I have studied and pondered this subject for 10+ years and I am sure I have forgotten more than I can remember.
  • While I have read much of the detail on the Gap Theory at websites like Answers in Genesis and The Institute for Creation Research, I do not believe they fully understand or rightly address the arguments of the proponents of the Gap Fact (Theory). So honestly, very little if any at all information here is the same as what one may find on the Gap Theory on those websites, therefore they are not listed in my bibliography.
  • The ultimate goal is to be honest and diligent when it comes to applying the following verses:
    • Acts 17:10-11 : 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

[2Ti 2:15 KJV] 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.