This updated classic leads the reader through the inductive Bible study process, showing practically how to study the Bible for one's self. With this tool, Christians can learn to relevantly apply God's Word to their lives as His Spirit leads them personally, rather than as some other leader might direct. Originally published in 1986, Finzel's style remains very accessible—providing practical examples that walk the reader through the steps of unpacking Scripture, using actual passages to practice. Free downloadable study guide and activities.

The most remarkable story ever revealed starts like this: “...And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon...” The Great Day is anchored on the allegorical story of the woman in Revelation 12 and her adversary, which led to the war in heaven—the root of all wars and woes on earth. In her, the unchangeable and eternal purpose of God for humanity was perfectly sealed. The author presents three stages of war by her Antagonist—a first war in heaven, then many wars on earth—, then a final war from heaven before the messianic kingdom of Christ. The result is a prophecy book that is almost as dramatic and moving as a novel, yet it’s not a fiction. Interpreting the entire end-time prophecies from this vantage point, is what sets this book apart from the rest. In particular, four unique discoveries have transformed this book to a new prophetic treasure that every Christian must possess. The reader will discover early in the book, how the invention of another woman—Asherah, the mother of Baal, later coded as Babylon in Revelation 17 became Satan’s greatest game changer. Who is the real Gog and Magog—the Antichrist that would occupy Israel? Why Russia is not the Gog of Magog of Ezekiel’s prophecy. Understanding the sequence and purpose of the 21 plagues—the seven seals and the sets of retributory plagues of tribulation—seven trumpets and seven bowls of wrath. How are the unleashing of these unprecedented apocalyptic plagues linked to the two powerful prophets in Revelation 11? What will be the roles of the armies of raptured saints following King Jesus for the Armageddon war? The Great Day is a must read for every Christian concerned about the end-time—our eternal destiny. The entire kingdom agenda of Jesus is about the End-times

The Bible is an ancient, enigmatic text from a culture vastly different from our own and most of us find it hard to read: how then can we understand its importance in the church, and how can it enrich our lives? Central to Lectio Divina is the conviction that to read the Bible faithfully and prayerfully is to learn an art. It is also to be in community, and to enter into dialogue with the God who speaks to each of us through the biblical page. Enzo Bianchi touches on some of the key insights in the history of Christian biblical interpretation - from the brilliant thinker Origen in the third century, to the development and refinement of historical criticism and related approaches in the modern era. He explains how to do lectio divina and understand its four 'moments' - lectio, meditatio, oratio, contemplatio. This is not simply a book about how to approach to the Bible, because Scripture ultimately wants to lead us beyond itself - to the truth and mystery of Christ that can never be captured fully in the written word.

Get the most out of your Bible. In clear, simple language, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible—their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today—so you can uncover the inexhaustible wealth of God's Word. More than three quarters of a million people have turned to How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth to inform their reading of the Bible. This fourth edition features revisions that keep pace with current scholarship, resources, and culture. Changes include: Updated language for better readability. Scripture references now appear only in brackets at the end of a sentence or paragraph for ease of reading. A new authors' preface. Redesigned and updated diagrams. Updated list of recommended commentaries and resources. Used all around the world, this Bible resource covers everything from how to choose a good translation to how to understand the different genres of biblical writing. Understanding the Bible isn't just for the few, the gifted, and the scholarly. The Bible is meant to be read and comprehended by everyone from casual readers to seminary students. Even a few essential insights into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions and help you grasp the meaning of Scripture and its application to your twenty-first-century life.

How should Christians read the Old Testament today? Answers to this question gravitate between two poles. On the one hand, some pay little attention to the gap between the Old Testament and today, reading the Old Testament like a devotional allegory that points the Christian directly to Jesus. On the other hand, there are folks who prioritize an Old Testament passage's original context to such an extent that it is by no means clear if and how a given Old Testament text might bear witness to Christ and address the church. This volume is a tribute to Willem A. VanGemeren, an ecclesial scholar who operated amidst the tension between understanding texts in their original context and their theological witness to Christ and the church. The contributors in this volume share a conviction that Christians must read the Old Testament with a theological concern for how it bears witness to Christ and nourishes the church, while not undermining the basic principles of exegesis. Two questions drive these essays as they address the topic of reading the Old Testament theologically. Christology. If the Old Testament bears witness to Christ, how do we move from an Old Testament text, theme, or book to Christ? Ecclesiology. If the Old Testament is meant to nourish the church, how do scriptures originally given to Israel address the church today? The volume unfolds by first considering exegetical habits that are essential for interpreting the Old Testament theologically. Then several essays wrestle with how topics from select Old Testament books can be read theologically. Finally, it concludes by addressing several communal matters that arise when reading the Old Testament theologically.

Parables are some of the most familiar stories in the Bible, yet their interpretations and applications are anything but uniform. Scandalous Stories is a "sort" of commentary on these familiar stories that are steeped in God's offensive grace and loving mercy for sinners and saints alike.

Did God intend His Word to be difficult for us to understand? Is it God or man's fault that the Bible remains a mysterious book to most people? Is there a clear path provided by the Author of the Bible to make it easily understandable? Can the Bible be trusted at all? Do we add or subtract from its content? Who should even study the Bible? Are you aware of the battles being waged behind the scenes since ancient times against the Bible and those behind this? Just how many gospel messages do we have in the Bible anyways? Does this message ever change to suit the demands of a particular generation? Can this message be easily identified? Can we trace the source of false doctrines? Do you really know who Jesus was? What was His message? Why did He have to die on man's behalf? Who were His true killers? Did Paul and the other apostles amend His message or did they preach the same message? Do you really understand the main purposes behind God's commandments in the Old Testament? How about really understanding the writings of Paul in particular and the rest of the apostles in the New Testament? Does the teaching of Paul contradict that of his master Jesus Christ? What was God's purpose for creating man? Does God love some groups of people more than others? What brings blessings and / or curses? What does it mean to be righteous according to the Bible? What are the characteristics of a righteous person? Just what is the New covenant and what was it intended to achieve? Who is a neighbor according to Jesus Christ? Unlike the rest, this book discards the denominational approach of studying the Bible and takes the reader on chronological steps to have the Bible decoded and plainly sets the reader on a personal journey of studying it without the aid of a Concordance or a Commentary.