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I. Why study the Bible? Because it is a deep and fascinating book covering the whole range of human experience; because it has proved itself able to move and inspire millions; because it is a corner-stone of our culture; because it contains passages of matchless beauty; because it has something to offer everyone.
I. Why study the Bible? Because it is God's word; because it records the most significant events in human history; because it is not only inspiring but inspired; because its theme is God's self-revelation; because, alone of all the books in the world, it presents an authoritative account of the words and deeds of the Son of God himself. From W. David Stacey, Groundwork of Biblical Studies (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1979), p. 13.
II. Bible study is important. It is important for the non-Christian. It is essential for the Christian.
III. Bible study is difficult. A. Distant culture • Slavery • Women
III. Bible study is difficult. B. Different languages and idioms • Hebrew & Greek • Example from 1 Kings 18:27 1. "either he is meditating, or he has wandered away (literally: gone aside), or he is on a journey . . ." (NRSV) 2. "Maybe he is day-dreaming or relieving himself, or perhaps he's gone off on a trip!" (GNB)
III. Bible study is difficult. C. Different view of the universe: OT Sheol
III. Bible study is difficult. C. Different view of the universe: NT Earth Saturn Jupiter Mars Moon Mercury Venus Sun
IV. How to study the Bible: three important questions A. What is the historical context? • Example: veiling of women B. What is the genre (type of literature)? • Example: story, poem, apocalypse C. What is the literary context? • Example: “top not go down”