“Sub-biblical” and “self-help” sound like pejorative terms used to describe any approach to reading the Bible which yields understandings at variance with one’s chosen set of “orthodox” understandings.

Indeed many people read the Bible and come to erroneous conclusions. This problem is not solved, however, by stipulating in advance the orthodox conclusions to which one must come. For if that were the case, what would be the point of reading the Bible at all?

How then do we understand the Bible rightly? There is no fail-safe method. We must read to the best of our ability, and, fully supported by conscience, act on what we have read. In the process we will advance or fall. God will be merciful and continue to show us His light. Through this iterative process we deepen our understanding and reduce our missteps. Blessed be our merciful and communicative God: Jesus Christ our Lord.