Category Archives: Hermeneutics

How to Study the Bible: God’s Plan: Genesis 1 – 11

So why does Genesis provide us with the material found in Genesis 1 – 11? These chapters aren’t obviously about God’s self-revelation. Genesis tells the story of how God created humankind in fellowship with him, but also relates how that … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: God’s Plan

So I guess you noticed that the series took a sudden left turn in the last post. We were discussing Bible study tools, and then all of sudden, we’re talking narrative hermeneutics — but hermeneutics are just another kind of tool. And … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: The Over-Arching A-B-A’ Story

[This is adapted from an earlier post.] The next step in Bible study is learning to approach the scriptures with the right questions — understanding where each element of scripture is situated within God’s story. One excellent approach is found in … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: Bible Software

I’ve alluded a few times to Bible software as a study aid, and there are just all sorts of programs out there — some free and some quite expensive. Everyone with a smartphone or tablet has doubtlessly found the wide … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: Commentaries

For those new to serious Bible study, a “commentary” is a book that explains one or more books of the Bible in detail, generally verse by verse. Most commentaries are published as part of a set intended to cover the … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: Restoration Movement materials

I’ve had readers ask me for recommendations on books regarding Restoration Movement issues. For those of us who grew in the Churches of Christ, it’s helpful to know some of the books and authors that address the issues that are … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: Authors

Where to begin? Let’s see … Most Christians don’t buy commentary series, theological encyclopedias, Greek lexicons, or the like. Most people buy individual books on topics that interest them. And most people buy more based on author than topic (which … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: Study Bibles

I think anyone new to Bible study should own a good study Bible. A “study Bible” is simply a Bible with a whole bunch of study aids added. Typically, they’ll contain introductions to each Bible book giving some background and purpose … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: Picking a Bible

Translation I was weaned on the KJV. In college, the NIV and NASB came out, and the NIV quickly took over the Church of Christ market. I now use the ESV almost exclusively. Here’s why — * The KJV and … Continue reading

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How to Study the Bible: Introduction

This summer, my church’s adult Bible classes are covering the spiritual disciplines as part of a series called “Your Spiritual Budget.” I’ve been asked to teach a couple of classes on how to study the Bible. Two classes on Bible … Continue reading

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