Ludlow’s Comments On The Dictionary
Fascinating information about the Bible Dictionary from Daniel Ludlow
Last week's post on using the Bible Dictionary I mentioned a quote from Daniel Ludlow and remarked that it is a powerful quote, but I found no evidence that Ludlow or anyone else made the statement.
A few days later, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from a relative of Daniel, and he shared with me several quotes from the journal of Ludlow. I was also given the actual quote regarding studying the Bible Dictionary equivalent of PhD. In biblical studies. Below is the quote.
“It has been suggested that if the serious student of the Bible would become fully acquainted with the contents of all the entries in the Bible Dictionary, it would be the equivalent of a Ph.D. in biblical studies.”
Here are more statements from Ludlow. I have included the pages numbers for those that still use paper version of the scriptures. As needed, I make comments below Ludlow’s remarks for those using the Gospel Library.
A number of scriptural scholars in the Church were assigned to create this dictionary, they first received permission to use the best of what had been printed in other Bible dictionaries; then they improved on these materials through their understanding of the modern scriptures and their acquaintance with the teachings of the prophets of this dispensation. Unfortunately, many members of the Church have not learned how to use this magnificent instructional aid. It is the sealed portion of the Bible!
The best, and perhaps the only, way to become acquainted with the contents of the Bible Dictionary is to read all the entries in the dictionary, item-by-item and word-for-word, from "Aaron" through "Zipporah." I'm afraid too many of us wait to use the Bible Dictionary until we feel a definite need for its use, and then we commonly look up only a single topic. Of course, it is better to use the dictionary in this fashion than not to use it at all. But how much better it would be if we would first acquaint ourselves with what is in the dictionary?
For example, I suppose many Gospel Doctrine teachers in the Church have never bothered to read the entry under the "Fall of Adam" heading because they think they already know all they need to know about the fall of Adam. However, I am confident that virtually every member of the Church would have his or her understanding of the Fall expanded by reading what has been provided under that topic.
Let me share with you a few specific items in the dictionary that will prove of great value and assistance to you.
On pages 622 to 625 of the appendix you will find a series of articles written on the subject of the Bible under such subtitles as "Structure of the Bible," "Preservation of the Text of the Old Testament," "Preservation of the Text of the New Testament," and "Bible, English." This information should prove invaluable to you as you diligently study the Old Testament. Additional information on this same general subject is found under the entry "Canon" on pages 630-31.
Ludlow refers to the appendix, which is not in the Gospel Library. The digital scriptures the Structure of the Bible, Preservation of the Text of the Old Testament, and Preservation of the Text of the New Testament are under the topic “Bible” in the Bible Dictionary. “Bible, English” is found in a separate entry, as is “Canon.”
The Chronological Tables on pages 635 through 645 should also prove indispensable to you. You will find a wealth of information in these tables, including a listing of basic dates and a listing of the kings and prophets of both the kingdom of Judah and the kingdom of Israel. You will also find a great deal of information in these charts under such headings as "Internal History," "External History," "Synchronisms," "Jewish History," "Profane History," "Egypt," "Syria," and "Contemporary Events." Again, these charts have required the combined efforts of many students and scholars of the scriptures, requiring thousands of hours, distilling knowledge that is made available to us in a format that can be easily understood and utilized. You might want to specially mark or tag these tables, as well as the tremendous Harmony of the Gospels charts on pages 684 through 696.
In the Gospel Library, The Chronological Tables are a separate document. Furthermore, the expression “Profane History” has been changed to “External History.” The Harmony of the Gospels is also a separate document.
On pages 756 to 759 of the appendix is an extremely interesting entry under the heading "Quotations from the Old Testament found in the New Testament." This worthwhile article is one of the many that might never be discovered even by the serious student of the Bible-unless he or she reads the Bible Dictionary from beginning to end. This valuable list provides us with a listing of all the Old Testament passages that have clearly influenced New Testament writers. . . If you want to spend some extremely interesting and informative gospel study time, read the passages listed from the Old Testament and then read the corresponding passages from the New Testament. . .
I hope the comments from Daniel Ludlow will prompt you to start studying the Bible Dictionary. As I mentioned in my previous post, I read the Dictionary when I have a free moment, like during lunch. To make it easier, I also bookmark where I left-off.
For those that would like to find more wisdom from Ludlow, the above information can be found in Daniel H. Ludlow, Selected Writings of Daniel H. Ludlow: Gospel Scholars Series, p.41-43, 159.
