America’s Need For Biblical Literacy
While America’s evangelical Christians are rightly concerned about the secular worldview’s rejection of biblical Christianity, we ought to give some urgent attention to a problem much closer to home–biblical illiteracy in the church. This scandalous problem is our own, and it’s up to us to fix it.
Americans revere the Bible–but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates. How bad is it? Researchers tell us that it’s worse than most could imagine.
This really is our problem, and it is up to this generation of Christians to reverse course. Recovery starts at home. Parents are to be the first and most important educators of their own children, diligently teaching them the Word of God. [See Deuteronomy 6:4-9.] Parents cannot franchise their responsibility to the congregation, no matter how faithful and biblical it may be. God assigned parents this non-negotiable responsibility, and children must see their Christian parents as teachers and fellow students of God’s Word.
What Happened To The Reliability Of The Bible?
The reliability of Scripture came under attack during and after the Enlightenment; especially (and oddly) by Christian leaders themselves.
To counter the attack on God’s Word, theologians and pastors for the last two hundred years have been arguing for the trustworthiness of the Bible. And that’s right. The Bible is trustworthy and that we should argue for its authority.
We read Scripture in order to personally meet Jesus. The Bible promises that in it we actually come to hear God. And that—how to hear God in Scripture—should be the focus of our teaching. We spend so much time arguing for Scripture that we we’ve forgotten to teach how to use it.
Song of Songs
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, The Bible Project offers this splendid explanation of the enigmatic Song of Songs. Enjoy… (more…)
The Beauty Of The Book Of Ruth
The Bible Project has released another great video. This one shows the beautiful themes and structure of the book of Ruth. The literary quality and subtle theological themes of this book are often under appreciated. This video does a good job of highlighting what is often missed. (more…)
Understanding Matthew (Part 2)
Our friends at the Bible Project just released the second part of the walk through Matthew. The first part can be found here. (more…)
Understanding Matthew (Part 1)
Another helpful video from the Bible Project to help people understand Matthew 1-13. (more…)
The Book Of Numbers Explained
The book of Numbers is often overlooked by modern readers of the Bible. Perhaps it’s name is a turn off to some, which is unfortunate. This book contains many important stories of Israel’s journey and God’s dealings with his people. It’s actually not that hard to understand, once you watch this video. (more…)
1 Corinthians At A Glance
This video from our friends at The Bible Project explains the entire book of 1Corinthians in less than 8 minutes. See the structure and themes of the book in beautiful vivid imagery.
Paul’s letters can sometimes seem complicated and difficult to understand. But a video like this helpfully summarizes the main ideas of the book and simplifies the complex arguments into points that are easy to understand. Share this far and wide. (more…)
Understand Leviticus
Many people today avoid the book of Leviticus like a priest avoids a dead body. Thankfully, our friends at The Bible Project have shed some light on this mysterious Book of the Bible. Check out this amazing video to see the great truths of which this book speaks. (more…)
Understand Exodus In 5 Minutes (Part 2)
The book of Exodus contains some amazing stories…and also some laws…and also lots of detailed instructions about a tent. How do all these things fit together? The Bible Project can tell you in 5 less than minutes. Check out the video above.
If you like this video, use the share buttons below to share it around…
Ben Witherington Responds To Newsweek’s Article On The Bible
Kurt Eichenwald’s article rips the Bible using 19th-century arguments (all of which have been refuted long ago) alleging that the Bible is full of contradictions, serious manuscript variations, and false additives, thus making it an untrustworthy document.
Then, in a stroke of hand-waving sophistry, the article asserts that it’s not attacking the Bible, only how Christians read it. Those who are well-versed in biblical scholarship will see right through the article and the yellow journalism that floods it.
Al Mohler Responds To Newsweek’s Article On The Bible
Newsweek recently published a cover story about the Bible. Prominent Theologian, Al Mohler, offers a response…
Newsweek’s cover story is exactly what happens when a writer fueled by open antipathy to evangelical Christianity tries to throw every argument he can think of against the Bible and its authority. To put the matter plainly, no honest historian would recognize the portrait of Christian history presented in this essay as accurate and no credible journalist would recognize this screed as balanced.
Understand Exodus In 5 Minutes (Part 1)
Another incredible video from The Bible Project. This one is about the first half of the book of Exodus. Watch, learn, understand…
Some Say The Bible Contradicts Itself – What Do You Say?
While I don’t believe the Bible has a journalistic type of accuracy that most fundamentalists ascribe to it, nor do I believe that the Bible is some sort of magic book that will yield an answer to every conceivable question posed to it, I am convinced of the following:
(1) All Scripture is inspired by God.
(2) All Scripture is authoritative.
(3) All Scripture is completely true and wholly reliable.
If the Bible isn’t reliable, then putting my faith in the Person that all Scripture points to — the Lord Jesus Christ — is a bit shaky. But note, reliability doesn’t mean perfection. Every historical document that’s reliable in its account isn’t perfect. Meaning, there may be a few typos, grammos, imperfect wordings, and even scribal mistakes. But those don’t overturn nor negate the overall message of the document.
Learn How To Study The Bible By Watching John Piper Do It
John Piper has recently launched a new series of Bible study “labs”. The trailer video is above. Click the “Read More” button below to see the collection of instructional videos currently available.
Look at the Book is a new online method of teaching the Bible. It’s an ongoing series of 8–12 minute videos in which the camera is on the text, not the teacher. You will hear John Piper’s voice and watch his pen underline, circle, make connections, and scribble notes — all to help you learn to read God’s word for yourself.
The Bible Tells Stories Of A Greater And Truer Reality
To some, the Bible seems like an odd collection of disconnected stories. This is not the case though. It presents a grand narrative in which every scene is a building block in constructing a bigger story. Each individual story points beyond itself to a truer and greater reality. This 3 minute video shows the importance of seeing how these stories work to present that truer and greater reality.
If Christians Are People Of The Book, Then Why Are They Biblically Illiterate?
We’ve fooled ourselves into thinking we are a people of the book. Instead, we have become a people of words—but they are our words, made in our image, and if we’re not careful our faith will be too.
When we ignore the question of literacy we risk becoming unmoored from the reason we worship together in the first place. If we are Biblically illiterate then what is the point? The truth is simple: we cannot be God’s people unless we are a people of the Book.
Devotion Isn’t A Thing You Do But The Way You Live
I’m very concerned with the way modern Christianity tends to think about our “devotional life.” It seems as if we’ve reduced these devotions down to five minutes of reading a Psalm and saying a quick prayer for the day, or, reading an e-mail devotional sent out by a pastor.
The Bible paints a much different picture of a devotional life. For the Christian, a lifestyle of devotion shouldn’t be reduced to an activity or daily routine; a lifestyle of devotion is characterized by a heart that’s owned by Christ.
How To Read The Book Of Revelation
In this 7 minute video, Tim Mackie explains how the book of Revelation is structured. The apocalyptic genre of writing is already so tricky to read, so it is very helpful to have a general understanding of how the book of Revelation is composed so as to be a better reader of it.
5 Examples Of How Scripture Is Abused
Christians read (and quote) Scripture in tiny, artificial fragments all the time. And by doing so, do we alter the meaning without even realizing it. But the Twitterized Bible often leads us down the wrong path because it reinforces an artificial structure on the text. If I’m free to ignore the larger context, then it becomes easier to read the Bible like a narcissist. The thing is, the Bible is not all about me. It wasn’t even written to me. And ironically, if I’m going to get whatever it has for me, I need to start reading it with that in mind. (more…)
10 Scriptures For Strengthening Relationships
It seems we reserve our unkindest words, do our most thoughtless deeds, are the most mean to those who mean the most to us. And because those close to use care more about what we say and think, those words and actions hurt more deeply. It’s a double whammy.
Because the stakes are so high, we must ensure that our communications not only stay away from the negative, but that they lead everyone to the positive. Here are ten passages of Scripture that can be very helpful in building and maintaining strong relationships.
Scripture Memorization Molds The Man
In this 5 minute video, Gary George offers a compelling reason for why Christians should diligently memorize Scripture. If we want to speak truth and make it go forth, then we first have to know the truth. The mouthpieces of God must have the word of God stored up inside of them.
Really, the most compelling part of Gary’s argument is the fact that he quotes from memory about 50 different passages in the 5 minutes he’s talking. Click below to watch.
What Biblical Genealogies Can Teach Us About Family
All the genealogies that we find throughout the Old Testament and at the beginning of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us about something God values highly. They emphasize the power of the connection between generations and of God’s plan to advance His Kingdom through the generations.
You are not alone in this world. You were never meant to be alone. Faith is supposed to come to us through a long line of men and women who know God and love Him.
Why Many Church-Goers Hate The Bible
It is well and good for the preacher to base his sermon on the Bible, but he better get to something relevant pretty quickly, or we start mentally to check out.” That stunningly clear sentence reflects one of the most amazing, tragic, and lamentable characteristics of contemporary Christianity: an impatience with the Word of God.
Indeed, in many churches there is very little reading of the Bible in worship, and sermons are marked by attention to the congregation’s concerns, not by an adequate attention to the biblical text. The exposition of the Bible has given way to the concerns, real or perceived, of the listeners. The authority of the Bible is swallowed up in the imposed authority of congregational concerns.
Midrash: A Communal Approach To Reading Scripture
“Attached to every synagogue is a place devoted to the study of sacred writings and Holy Scripture. This area is called the Beit Midrash, the house of learning or study. Midrash literally means “investigation.” Here the Jewish people would gather to investigate, study, learn and argue the meanings and proper applications of their revered texts. In this environment, rich spiritual opportunities for learning are given to the participants that can never be obtained alone, or by simply listening to a lecturer give his or her own opinions. The opportunity to express one’s own thoughts and feelings, and engage in oftentimes very passionate and heated debate is a very stimulating intellectual and spiritual experience. It is also an extremely necessary and vital part of studying the Word of God, and growing in your personal relationship with the Lord. Without it the opportunities for “iron to sharpen iron” (Proverbs 27:17) will be limited and spiritual growth stunted. Being part of a Beit Midrash can literally transform not only the way you learn the scriptures but your personal relationship with the Lord.”
How Do You View The Bible?
Viewing the Bible as weapon, rules, or story will make all the difference in how you read it and how you understand God and yourself.
How To Explain Genesis 1-11 In 5 Minutes
Whether you’re a first-time reader of the Bible or a seasoned scholar, this 5 minute video offers insight into the first 11 chapters of Genesis that will make this book accessible and understandable. Share it with all your friends who also want to understand the first book of the Bible. (more…)