Yes — the Bible itself must be studied directly, because it is God's Word and the only final authority.
Les Feldick's entire teaching ministry is built on getting people into the Book rather than relying on other books. He says Christians have gotten to spending too much time reading many books and not enough time in the Bible. He urges everyone to search the Scriptures for themselves, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and warns that anything that cannot be found in the Bible should be rejected.
2 Peter 1:20 — This verse, which Les references, shows that Scripture is not to be interpreted by private opinion, so believers must study the Word itself.
Acts 17:11 — Les's instruction to 'search the Scriptures and see if these things are so' reflects the Bereans' practice of verifying teaching directly in the Bible.
The Bible declares that 'no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation' (2 Peter 1:20). In Acts 17:11, the Bereans are commended because 'they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.' These passages show that Scripture itself is the standard for truth and that believers are to examine the Word directly, rather than rely solely on what others teach.
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that his ministry is not about building an organization or moving people from one group to another; it is about getting people into the Book. He observes that as a Christian society we have spent too much time reading other books and not enough time in the Bible itself, and his plea is for people to study the Word and understand it. He tells questioners, 'What does your Bible say?' and if they can't find something, 'you better run from it.' He wants people to see from their own study what Scripture says, not simply accept what he or any other teacher says. Les points to Peter's statement that no Scripture is of private interpretation, explaining that we must compare Scripture with Scripture and let the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, guide our understanding. He also warns against the attitude that you should wait to interpret Scripture until you hear it from behind the pulpit, saying that is where people are led down a 'primrose path.'
Les describes his ministry as simply trying to get people into the Bible. In Clip 0, he says they 'just want to get people into the book,' and in Clip 4, he says 'the only reason we teach is to get people into the book.' He says nothing thrills him more than when someone writes that for the first time they are studying. He tells about a woman who promised she would start studying her Bible even though she wasn't sure she agreed with him — and that is all he asks.
Les worries that as a Christian society we have gotten to spending too much time reading a lot of books and not enough time in the Book (Clip 0). He says many of us are brainwashed into thinking things are in the Bible that aren't (Clip 1). He tells a story of a lady calling with a question who couldn't find the answer in her Bible, and Les tells her, 'if you can't find it, then you better run from it' (Clip 2). He also warns against a book/pamphlet that told people not to interpret Scripture on their own but to wait until they hear it from behind the pulpit — that, he says, is where people are led down a primrose path (Clip 5).
Les says the best way to study is to compare Scripture with Scripture, because Peter says no Scripture is a private interpretation. This means you cannot build a doctrine on one verse here and one verse there; you must use all of Scripture from Genesis through Revelation and see that it all fits. Seemingly contradictions fade away as you study. He also says God has promised that the Holy Spirit will reveal truths to those who get into the Book (Clip 6).
Too Many Books, Not Enough Bible
Les pleads for people to get into the Book, noting that as a Christian society we spend too much time reading other books and not enough time in the Bible.
Study the Book on Your Own
Les encourages people to study the Bible on their own and warns that many are brainwashed into thinking things are in Scripture that aren't.
What Does Your Bible Say?
Les gives his stock answer — 'What does your Bible say?' — and says if you can't find something in your Bible, run from it; God will judge by His Word.
Understanding Through Direct Study
Les's only reason for teaching is that people can study and read their Bible and understand it; he tells of a man who now revels in reading his Bible.
Getting People Into the Book
Les says the only reason he teaches is to get people into the Book; even a woman who disagreed promised to start studying her Bible.
Discern the Scriptures Yourself
Les warns against the idea of waiting until you hear interpretation from behind the pulpit; he wants people to see for themselves what Scripture says.
The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth
Les says God promises that the Holy Spirit will reveal truths to those who get into the Book.
Compare Scripture With Scripture
Les says the best way to study is to compare Scripture with Scripture because no Scripture is a private interpretation.
2 Peter 1:20: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Les directly cites this verse to emphasize that no one's private interpretation should be the basis for doctrine; the Bible itself must be studied.
Acts 17:11: 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.
Les's instruction to 'search the Scriptures and see if these things are so' mirrors the Bereans' practice of verifying teaching in the Word.
No. Les doesn't forbid other books; in fact, his ministry offers tapes and books. But his plea is that other books not take the place of direct Bible study. He says we may be spending too much time reading a lot of books and not enough time in the Book.
Les's stock answer is 'What does your Bible say?' and he says if you can't find it, you better run from it. The Word of God is the only thing we have to go by, and it is how God will judge us someday.
Les says to compare Scripture with Scripture. Since no Scripture is a private interpretation, you cannot build a doctrine on isolated verses; you must let the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, speak.
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