Learn to Read Your Bible

Identify God's word through a two-step argument: God uses humans to communicate his word, and scriptures are God's word written by humans for us.

God communicates his word through humans, as John the Baptist and the disciples show, and the scriptures themselves present his word written for us.

Identify that the scriptures are God's word written for us, breathed out by God, and the entire Bible is God's word for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

The lecture contrasts subjective versus objective views, showing scripture is the word of God objectively, breathed out by God, regardless of recognition.

Understand that God's word is the message preached by his messengers, an objective word. By grasping the words of Paul, John, and Moses, you understand God’s word and biblical interpretation.

Read the scriptures and understand the human authors' message to grasp God's word; recognize that divine communication comes through human words when you receive it as God's truth.

Evaluate the finger pointer method, noting its conviction that the entire Bible is God's word, but critique its neglect of context and the human messenger's meaning.

Critique the feeler method for bypassing the human words, insisting on understanding the words Paul delivered so the Thessalonians heard the word of God with the Spirit.

evaluate transformer version one by noting repeated readings can yield interpretations, but true understanding relies on observing the words of the human in the text first, with the Holy Spirit.

Evaluate the transformer version two method that claims any text becomes God's Word through the Holy Spirit. Note that God's Word is objective and the Scriptures are authoritative.

Understand scripture by studying how human messengers convey God's word. The course will teach you how to properly interpret the words of these messengers.

Discover how to read Romans 2:25–29 in context, focusing on obedience to God, circumcision of the heart by the spirit, and the contrast between outward signs and true faith.

Explore communicative intent and read scripture beyond surface words by focusing on the communicator's actual meaning, illustrated with Romans 2:25–29 and face-value reading examples.

Identify historical context and literary context as essential tools for reading the Bible. Apply these contexts to surrounding events and literary relationships, like Romans and First Corinthians, for accurate interpretation.

Learn to read Mark 10:17-22 by focusing on communicative intent and context, identifying wealth as an idol, and applying a wholehearted commitment to follow Christ.

Discover eight principles for interpreting the Bible and learn them by doing rather than memorizing; the course moves from theory to practical exercises in part two.

Understand context as the foundation of biblical reading, focusing on historical and literary context, and maintain continuity by reading enough chapters at once to track the author's trajectory.

Imagine the world of the Bible as you read it, reliving guards' fear, disciples' excitement, and leaders' unease, considering Jesus rose from the dead to become a more engaged reader.

Read the bible as normal literature, recognizing letters, narratives, poetry, imagery, and humor; interpret it as human communication from human writers meant to be understood, not taken literally.

Explore how genre shapes biblical reading, contrasting gospel miracles as factual history with Isaiah's poetic imagery. See creation rejoicing at salvation and Romans eight expressing creation's longing.

Explore the Book of Proverbs as the Proverbs genre of wise sayings that promote the way of wisdom and the lifestyle it encourages, while noting outcomes are promoted, not guaranteed.

Read the Bible according to the writers’ intent, respecting genre and style, and interpret Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Gospel of John through their historical, poetic, and figurative language.

Discern the right sense of the text by comparing multiple translations to overcome blind spots and gain a clearer, well-rounded understanding of the passage.

Pause and observe every detail in the biblical text before interpreting. Note every small fact—the who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Be a detective while reading the Bible by first observing, then asking questions about unclear details, distinguishing good from bad questions, and letting interpretation emerge from the inquiry.

Learn how scripture speaks with one voice, resolves apparent contradictions between old and new covenants, and reconciles Paul and James on justification by faith and works.

Master the eight principles of biblical interpretation and prepare to apply them in part two through guided exercises that cement your skills.