Scholarly essays that explore a wide range of issues of biblical interpretation in the two communities.

The Bible is the single most important book in the history of Western civilization; it is also the most widely misunderstood. To understand the Bible, we must consider its historical and literary context. Utilizing the contributions of three disciplines—biblical introduction, biblical theology, and biblical interpretation, Understanding Scripture sets the record straight. Intended as a handbook or study guide, this work provides forty practical guidelines to make your reading of the Bible more useful and your understanding clearer. The goal of this book is not simply to persuade you to read the Bible more frequently, but to encourage you to read it with discernment. The forty concepts alluded to in the book’s subtitle are not factual in nature, meaning they are little concerned with biblical information. Rather, they comprise interpretive tools, “insider” techniques used by biblical scholars but widely unknown or ignored by average readers or believers. Parabolic in nature, the forty statements are designed to promote conversation rather than close or clinch an argument. This book is designed to keep you awake at night, romancing Scripture rather than mastering it, nourishing your spirituality rather than gorging or starving it. Understanding Scripture is useful for individual or group study. Each chapter concludes with questions suitable for discussion or reflection.

Can you distinguish when Scripture is literal vs. figurative? Should parables, allegories, and prophecies be interpreted with the same method? If you're wondering - or want your study time to be more rewarding - here are clear explanations, guidelines, advice, and discussion questions to help you discover what the Bible really means.

Understanding the Bible: A Guide to Reading the Scriptures will inform your reading and enrich your understanding of the Bible from historical, literary, and faith perspectives. It is ideal for use regardless of your background, your beliefs, your questions, or the Bible translation you are reading. Inside are articles that explore the Bible in its faith, historical, and cultural contexts. The Bible is looked at as literature too--its genres and literary forms. There are articles introducing the Old and New Testaments, specifically the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Wisdom and Poetry Books, the Prophets, the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters, and Revelation. The history and differences of translations are discussed, and other tools to help you unlock the Bible are introduced. Additional aids include maps, charts, a timeline, and a glossary. Together these aids further investigate the Bible and the world in which it was written, as well as the progression of scholarship that helps us understand the Bible today.

Most Christians desire to have a better understanding of their Bibles. What they may not realize is that their desire cannot be ascertained without a better comprehension of what scripture refers to as the counsels of God. This is God’s plan for the ages, or what could be termed “God’s big picture.” All too often contemporary Christian teaching concentrates on the comfort of the here and now, losing all connection with the eternal plan of God. How to Better Understand the Bible explains how the true Christian has been sealed by God with the Holy Spirit. He is the spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry out from our hearts, “Abba, Father.” Believers have this new relationship in which God is their Father and they are His children. But not only children, for God considers us His friends, and He will not hide from us any of the things He is going to do. The Spirit has been given to believers as their teacher. His mission is to take what has been given to Jesus of the Father and declare it to us, as well as showing us things to come. Unique to the time of the Christian dispensation is the fact that the Holy Spirit has been sent down. He has revealed to us the mystery of God’s will. In times past, God had kept hidden two vital truths which would serve to complete the revelation and knowledge of His counsels—the universal exaltation of Jesus Christ over all things, and the formation and existence of His body, the church. How to Better Understand the Bible organizes and explains from scripture the full knowledge of God’s counsels. Every true Christian, as a member of Christ’s body, has been given by God an intimate and privileged place in these counsels.

Everything you need to grasp God’s big picture in Scripture so you can dive deeper into each book of the Bible. Every single word in the Bible is powerful and purposeful. But too often we can be guilty of thinking that the details of God’s plan for us must be buried in obscurity somewhere in the vastness of the Bible—as if we’re missing God because we missed that tiny iota subscript in the original Greek. What if it is the opposite? What if our daily purpose, our next step tomorrow, our discernment in the moment comes from a broad understanding of God’s revelation in the Bible? When you grasp God’s Word holistically, your life begins to make more sense each and every day. In this book, Sam Rainer will help you Understand God’s big picture as revealed in the Bible Explore the major themes of Scripture Know quickly and easily the subject and purpose of each book of the Bible See the entire masterpiece instead of focusing on the brushstrokes. Understand the broad themes that occur from Genesis to Revelation to find God’s purpose and plan for your life.

The Bible is the world's most popular book, but at the same time the most misunderstood! How can you understand the Bible? The Bible itself gives the keys to understand it! But you must read this Book with the right attitude and perspective. So how can you properly read the scriptures? What principles and methods of study should you follow? What tools are available to help you? How can you grow in spiritual understanding while reading the Word of God? This Bible Study aid ebook, How to Understand the Bible, will explore a number of important points that will help you grasp the Bible's message and meaning - and make it relevant in your life! Chapters in this ebook: -- Introduction: How to Understand the Bible -- Approach the Bible With a Proper Attitude -- Keys to Understanding the Bible -- In Their Own Words: Great Men and Women Who Highly Respected the Bible -- Does the Bible Contain Errors? -- Actively Read and Study the Bible -- Seven Scriptural Threads for More Complete Understanding -- Are There Mistakes in the King James Version of the Bible? -- Bible Study Software and Online Resources -- Live What You Learn Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "Even though we might possess the world's brightest minds, if God does not act to open our minds, the Bible will remain closed to us." "One vital key we must come to understand is that the Bible interprets itself. We must be careful not to force our own interpretations onto it." "For us to understand the Bible, we must first learn about and respect God's law."

The Understanding the Bible Commentary Series helps readers navigate the strange and sometimes intimidating literary terrain of the Bible. These accessible volumes break down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers. The contributors tackle the task of interpretation using the full range of critical methodologies and practices, yet they do so as people of faith who hold the text in the highest regard. Pastors, teachers, and lay people alike will cherish the truth found in this commentary series.

The Jesus Way series helps readers encounter big questions about the reign of God in the world. Concise and practical books deeply rooted in Anabaptist theology. Start small.