Book Description
Biblical interpretation for both beginning and experienced Bible readers. Changes to the new third edition include: updated language, new foreword, improved diagrams, substantial rewriting of several chapters to make them more user-friendly, and updated list of recommended commentaries and resources.
Download Description
The primary task of Bible study is to determine what the Scriptures meant at the time they were written and how that meaning applies to us today. This vital guide focuses on the historical contexts of the Bible and explains differences between the Old Testament narratives, the Epistles, Gospels, Parables, Psalms and more. It's a practical approach to Bible study -- one that makes good sense and is easy to understand. This new edition includes, among other changes, a new section on the Song of Songs and an updated list of recommended commentaries and resources.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Resource.......2007-09-22
For some reason, I resisted reading this book for years. Now, I wish I'd read it five years ago because it is so full of helpful information.
The authors first give basic principles for interpreting scripture and then go on to apply those principles to the different genres of the Bible - epistles, historical narrative, prophetic literature, poetry, wisdom literature, etc. They also give sound principles for dealing with the more controversial issues of scripture with great balance and wisdom. The chapter on the book of Revelation alone is worth the purchase price.
The book also contains a fine appendix listing recommended commentaries for each book of the Bible. They also explain how to choose a good commentary and how to use the commentary once you've chosen it.
In short, this is a wonderful book. I don't think I agree with everything they say, but they have graciously given permission to have disagreement on these things. In fact, I believe they actually model for the Christian community how to have dignified and loving disagreements (which they seem to have with each other on a couple of points) on matters that are not central to the faith, but still important. Their love and respect for scripture shines through every page, as does their humility in approaching it.
For King James Only Readers..........2007-09-08
If you are like that last reviewer who only reads the King James Version and relies solely on the Holy Spirit for illumination...
I wot what thou dost wist.
(If you can read the preceeding sentence, then the KJV is the Bible for you!) The Reformers practiced the same basic methods of Bible study that Fee is teaching in this book. The Reformers--Luther, Calvin, etc.--made themselves familiar with ancient culture and language as well as with the opinions of godly commentators before them. When the Reformation came to England the Bible Christians used was the Geneva Bible of 1599. It was the dominant Bible of English Protestants for many decades AFTER the KJV was published in 1611.
Useless.......2007-09-04
I can tell you how to read the bible for all it's worth in two easy steps.
1) Get a King James Bible, the only preserved Word of God.
2) Pray as you read it. Christ is the Word (John 1:1). The Holy Spirit will enlighten you as you study it. If there are words you don't understand they are all in any common dictionary.
Helpful, Insightful Guidelines for Bible Study.......2007-08-15
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth is an excellent introduction to reading and interpreting the Bible. It looks at the overall big picture of Biblical relevancy and history, as well as significance for today.
The authors offer several guidelines like reading the Bible in its historical context for its initial audience and how to read it according to its form and purpose. Then, how to interpret it for today.
They provide chapters on the various parts of the Bible like the historical narratives, prophets, psalms, gospels, letters and Revelation and discuss how to interpret these portions of the Bible in their unique formats.
I think the authors show readers how to deal with the Bible in an academic setting but may esteem their own insights and opinions too much. They somewhat discount the Holy Spirits ministry in applying the word to individuals as they read the Bible. They preclude the Holy Spirit from using scripture to speak to an individual in a way that may be unique or different from the authors' exegesis and hermeneutics.
Overall, they do steer readers in the right direction regarding Bible study.
If I could recommend just one book, this would be it........2007-04-13
I wish that I had read, "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" twenty years ago. Besides the Bible, this might be the most useful book that you will ever read in your Christian walk.
The authors - one a New Testament scholar and one an Old Testament scholar - both of which have written some very good commentaries previously, break down the the task of making the best use of your Bible study time. While both authors have great insight, they make their points in a very clear, easy to understand way. They show the importance of context (historical and literary), the different types of writing in Scripture and how to approach them, and other practical tips on how to get the most out of your Bible reading time. They even give some pointers on what to look for when selecting a Bible translation. Though I disagree with their conclusions about the TNIV (I'm a NASB man myself) the translation information was still worth reading.
In summary, I wish I could give this book six stars. Despite having read the Bible daily for over twenty years, there were a lot of things that hadn't really occured to me until I read this fine book. The authors give a lot of real world insight on how to get the most out of reading the Bible. In the end, isn't that something that we all want? I liked it so much that I passed on my copy to a friend.
Book Description
Helps people read the Bible as a whole; and even when the whole is narrowed to whole books, helps readers to see how each book fits into the grand Story of the Bible.
Customer Reviews:
Good start for serious bible study.......2007-08-08
This is one of the first books recommended by my pastors after I accept Christ in September 2005.
Due to the fact that I want to build a good foundation of proper bible study methods, this book serve as a good foundation for myself. Other than these, I use it in conjunction with Elements of Biblical Exegesis by Michael J. Gorman, Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach, Revised Edition by W. Randolph Tate, and Hermeneutic Spiral by Grant Osborne.
It lay out the basic elements of genre analysis and how each book should be read in its own term. he book can be further complemented by Hermeneutic Spiral where you are further introduced other concepts of biblical exegesis and study.
It is a good investment and you will not regret it.
Excellent Resource.......2007-05-13
I think this book is one of the best resource books I have every had. I use it everyday as I do my daily Bible reading. It helps you understand what to look for as you read the Bible. I recommended this book to others and have purchased 7 more to distribute to friends.
Very good reference book.......2006-11-10
This book is very useful for the average person wanting to dig a little deeper into the Word!
Why How to Read the Bible Book by Book is a must for students of the Bible.......2006-03-15
I believe that How to Read the Bible Book by Book is a must read for students of the Bible because it guides you through the Bible in simple and kind manner. It will make you want to read the Bible in a fresh and new way. I have been studying the Bible formally for over forty years now and I beleive that any book that will help enhance ones study of the Bible is a must read.
I would highly recommend this book for your reading.
Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart have done an excellent job in opening the Bible to the person who needs to know and get a good overview of the Scriptures.
Good Biblical Introduction.......2006-03-05
Dr. Fee's presentation of the biblical material is clear, concise, and up to date. He takes the fruits of biblical scholarship and makes them available to the average lay reader, while not losing sight of what the original authors of the material intended. A strong point of the book is the fact that it situates each of the biblical books and the material they contain within the historical horizon of Israels encounter with God and the World.
For the careful reader Dr Fee's material will help define the central importance of the issue of the 'mission to the Gentiles'--which first presents itself in Genesis narrative, particularly when God initiates the covenant with Abraham. God's choice of Israel is the beach head from which the salvation of the world is launched. This fulfillment of God's purpose is dramatized by Israel's encounter with the nations about her and her response to that encounter right up to, and including the New Testament and continues to the present.
This is high drama, indeed, and this book helps the average person to see the drama and, better, their place in it.
Jim Woods
Customer Reviews:
Revelation's Rhapsody.......2007-03-09
Dr. Lowery did an excellent job in shedding true light on a very difficult subject. Too many people today don't take into consideration that Revelations applied mainly to the people of John's time - First Century AD. This is a must read for everyone interested in the true meaning of Revelation.
You can tell that a lot of study and thought has gone into this book.
Sweet Music.......2006-11-30
A highly readable and instructive book. Lowery writes his book from the perspective of pastor, preacher, and professor. His book is not a commentary, but as stated in the title, it's a book on "how to read the book of Revelation." The reader is not directed so much as what to believe, but how to arrive at an understanding of the book in a "fair and balanced" manner.
There is an appendix of numerous Old Testament allusions in Revelation, which is most useful. Another appendix is "A Key to Select Symbols In Revelation."
Lowery also includes a glossary of terms, a list of recommended commentaries (graded for three levels of biblical knowledge), and a bibliography. There is no index.
I believe clergy, biblical higher education students, and lay persons alike will enjoy and benefit from Lowery's book.
Although the book is small (222 p.) be prepared to spend extra time to lookup numerous scripture references included. It is time well spent. The book provides an excellent launching pad for further serious study of a New Testament book which is much misunderstood and under appreciated.
Book Description
The Psalms possess an enduring fascination for us. For frankness, directness, intensity and intimacy, they are unrivaled in all of Scripture. Somehow the psalmists seem to have anticipated all our awe, desires and frustrations. No wonder Christians have used the Psalms in worship from the earliest times to the present.Yet the Psalms cause us difficulties when we look at them closely. Their poetry is unfamiliar in form. Many images they use are foreign to us today. And the psalmists sometimes express thoughts that seem unworthy of Scripture.Tremper Longman gives us the kind of help we need to overcome the distance between the psalmists' world and ours. He explains the various kinds of psalms, the way they were used in Hebrew worship and their relationship to the rest of the Old Testament. Then he looks at how Christians can appropriate their message and insights today. Turning to the art of Old Testament poetry, he explains the use of parallelism and imagery.Step-by-step suggestions for interpretating the psalms on our own are followed by exercises for further study and reflection. Also included is a helpful guide to commentaries on the Psalms.Here is a book for all those who long to better understand these mirrors of the soul.
Customer Reviews:
A True Eye Opener.......2006-10-19
This book was recommended to me by a theology professor who has yet to steer me wrong in his assessments of informative reading, based on my less than advanced study of scripture. Longman disects the Psalter as no commentary does. The various genres and purposes (uses) of the Psalms are explained in an easy to understand fashion similar to his "Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind". He concludes each chapter with a short exercise and list of recommended readings specific to that chapter. Acknowledged as an elementary how-to-understand guidebook on the Psalms it is, nevertheless unparalled for its informative content. Combined with Derek Kidner's commentaries, I have found new blessings in the often misunderstood and overlooked Book of Psalms.
A Very Good Tool.......2000-10-19
I believe that this book is a good tool to help one understand the Psalms. It is easy to read and it uses language that the common man can understand. I like how the book starts off with showing how the Psalms fit in the Bible. I like how it explains them as a mini Bible in itself. I think that Longman does a good job explaining the different types of psalms that are in the book of Psalms. I like the way that Longman explained parallelism and the other elements of poetry that are visible. I was always afraid of poetry and all the different things that it included but it makes more sense. It is very good for Longman to provide some psalms in the back and give an example of what he just wrote about in his book. It makes it easier to understand when there is an example provided. At the end of each chapter it also provides a psalm study of things that were just explained in the chapter. This helps the reader practice what they are learning and I think that that is a good idea. I think that the author did a good job of showing how the psalms relate to the common man. He showed how people could use them to worship and how they can learn from them. Longman did a good job of getting his purpose across and helping one to read the Psalms better.
Book Description
In his new book, master Bible scholar and teacher Marc Brettler argues that today's contemporary readers can only understand the ancient Hebrew Scripture by knowing more about the culture that produced it. And so Brettler unpacks the literary conventions, ideological assumptions, and historical conditions that inform the biblical text and demonstrates how modern critical scholarship and archaeological discoveries shed light on this fascinating and complex literature.
Brettler surveys representative biblical texts from different genres to illustrate how modern scholars have taught us to "read" these texts. Using the "historical-critical method" long popular in academia, he guides us in reading the Bible as it was read in the biblical period, independent of later religious norms and interpretive traditions. Understanding the Bible this way lets us appreciate it as an interesting text that speaks in multiple voices on profound issues.
This book is the first "Jewishly sensitive" introduction to the historical-critical method. Unlike other introductory texts, the Bible that this book speaks about is the Jewish one -- with the three-part TaNaKH arrangement, the sequence of books found in modern printed Hebrew editions, and the chapter and verse enumerations used in most modern Jewish versions of the Bible.
In an afterword, the author discusses how the historical-critical method can help contemporary Jews relate to the Bible as a religious text in a more meaningful way.
Customer Reviews:
I bought this copy for my son........2007-03-19
Nearly a year ago, I bought a copy of How to Read the Bible. I have read it several times since, and often refer to it in my Bible readings. Because my son once said that he tried to read the Bible, but he just didn't understand it, and couldn't see how much of it would be of use to him, I sent him Brettler's book. It's stated goal is to demystify an otherwise enigmatic book. I believe it accomplishes that goal well. Though written first to a Jewish audience, by giving a better understanding of what the various parts would have meant in the time and context in which the Bible was written, it brings new meanings to contemporary readers of all faiths.
I have yet to find out whether he found it a help or not, but he's reading it, and that's while he's on vacation, too.
Very clearly stated point of view and essential information.......2007-03-07
Like another reviewer, I was introduced to this book from the National Public Radio program Fresh Air with Terry Gross. The interview with Mark Zvi Brettler was totally enlightening and fascinating.
Now I am taking an excellent Christian course of classes on the Bible, much of it on the Hebrew Bible (what Christians call the Old Testament). In my classes there is such a wealth of information well taught that sometimes I do not feel that I have either internalized the essence of the topic and useful information on the history of the writing and compilation of the Bible itself. In fact that is not the point of the class. I use Brettler's book to pull myself away and look at the information a slightly different way.
I have been greatly enlightened by reading Professor Brettler's book as it covers much ESSENTIAL information I think a person needs to read the Bible (Old Testament). For example, I did not know that there were several different versions of the "ten commandments" (the Decalogue), and even different Christian denominations used different versions.
Well, this is a wonderful book and whether you end up agreeing with everything Brettler has concluded is irrelevant to whether reading it is a great learning experience. I also think it is helpful for Christians to read a book by a Jewish Bible scholar, although many of his sources come from Christian scholars as well a Jewish ones.
Excellent Companion Reader.......2007-01-05
This book is an excellent companion reader for the Old Testament. It is written clearly and shows a great deal of excellent scholarship.
The best of its kind.......2006-11-12
I heard Brettler speak last Sunday, and he was brilliant. I went out and bought his book, and it was brilliant also. I read a lot about the Bible, and this is one of the best books I have ever read.
A Comprehensive Introduction to the Historical-Critical Method.......2006-11-10
Dr. Brettler's presentation of all of the familiar Bible stories (and a few, maybe, not so familiar) as understood through the "Historical-Critical Method" of Bible study hits that magic "sweet spot" between scholarly writing and "a good read." Particularly for those familiar with the Hebrew Bible (aka the New Testament,) the flow of his narrative manages to interleave discussion of archeological findings and ancient texts with the Bible stories themselves, as seen from the historical perspective.
The fact that this book is a pleasure to read almost conceals the fact that it is also crammed with information, both historical and interpretive, reflecting Dr. Brettler's depth of learning. One can hardly turn a page without revealing some new tidbit of insight, many of which trigger a new understanding of some aspect of a Bible story or of a larger view of the Bible's context and meaning.
This is a book I'll return to again and again
Book Description
A guide to the literary aspects of the Bible, this book surveys such biblical forms as narrative, poetry, proverb, gospel, parable, and epistle. It also discusses the literary unity of the Bible.
Customer Reviews:
How To Read The Bible As Literature.......2006-08-28
This book was in very good condition. The cover had been bent, which I knew before I paid for the book, but was still in good condition. The pages were excellent and looked like they had never been used.
A Fine Introduction.......2006-08-23
Ryken does well with his introduction to the Bible as literature. This work is clear and tight, the way such a book ought to be. Perhaps its greatest virtue is that it works within the traditional western categories of literature, explaining them all along (for those of us who don't remember everything from our school days!). As such, the ideas and terms will ring familiar, at least faintly, with most of us educated in the States, and it will offer a sound introduction to the Bible as literature.
With this said, though, perhaps the greatest weakness of this book is that same characteristic. Traditional categories are a good place to start, but the reader must, at some point, go beyond these into the more Hebrew-specific realm of reading. The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament truly is, despite some opinion, a masterful work, but to understand it as such one must become familiar with just how it works. Wonderfully, there are writers, such as Robert Alter and Adele Berlin, who have written well on precisely this topic.
In the end, this book is a great place to start. It offers a well-grounded foundation for reading the Bible literarily, and as long as the reader knows its strengths and limitations, it will serve him well.
Bringing the Bible to the masses, but then what?.......2005-01-30
Despite the fact that Ryken seems more theologically conservative than I find tasteful, this book does a good job of making the Bible accessible to the average reader as a matter more of Western culture than Christian faith. The author's emphasis on literature underscores that the importance of the Bible lies in its ability to communicate by evoking an emotional experience in the reader.
However, as a product of Western literature, there are a few important points Ryken skips over: How can the Biblical stories clearly intended in the Bible as morality tales not become trite and manipulative to postmodern Western audiences? Does the use of metaphor in the Bible invite differing interpretations because each reader will have a different experience of the original metaphor? And perhaps, due to Ryken's Wheaton-based theology, he entirely fails to address overiding themes in the Bible such as the condemnation of hubris and exclusivity.
speedy delivery; wrong book.......2004-09-02
the book did get to me faster than expected. however, it was the wrong edition. it will work for my class, but the picture on the website was not the book i bought. the picture is of the newer edition, which i needed and thought i was buying, but it really was the older edition. somewhat of an upset, but i guess it will have to do.
much to do about nothing.......2003-05-17
The book is well organized, highly researched, and well written, but very boring! It simply analyzes biblical literature to death and makes many of the not so interesting and not so well written parts of the Bible out to be much more than they really are. It's a bit like trying to make the phone book out to be a great piece of literature. It isn't. It is a good source of information and that's all. The Bible has some nice literary parts to it to be sure, but the author stretches the value of much of the literature in the Bible. Her focus on the mundane, was tedious, and left much to be desired. I would have much rather had her be less detailed and cover the more interesting and valid aspects of Biblical literature rather than trying to make even Geneologies and redundant historical accounts out to be more interesting than they really are. Frankly, many of the stories in the Bible are really not that well written and to try and make it seem as though they are is just delusion.
Book Description
Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise.Everyday we make choices on the path of life. Proverbs are memorable capsules of wisdom, chiseled in words and polished through use by those who have traveled that path ahead of us. But the proverbs of the Bible make a greater claim than "a penny saved is a penny earned." They are woven into the web of divine revelation, rooted in the "fear of the Lord" that is the beginning of wisdom.While many proverbs speak to us directly, we can gain much greater insight by studying the book of Proverbs as a whole, understanding its relationship to ancient non-Israelite wisdom and listening to its conversation with the other great voices of wisdom in Scripture--Job and Ecclesiastes.In How to Read Proverbs Tremper Longman III provides a welcome guide to reading and studying, understanding and savoring the Proverbs for all their wisdom. Most important for Christian readers, we gain insight into how Christ is the climax and embodiment of wisdom.
Customer Reviews:
A precious book!.......2006-11-29
Positive:
- Easy to read
- Good structure
- Very helpful study questions and "for further reading" at the end of each chapter
- Good approach to the subject
- Compares Proverbs to Near Eastern wisdom texts to give background information of such kind, in such days in that region - amazing similarities!
Almost negative:
- The author uses the New Living Translation (NLT)
I must admit that I am a lover of the King James Version (KJV). But in such a book I would have expected a different version of the Bible. An example might illustrate my point:
Proverbs 8:14-15 NLT
"Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.
Because of me, kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees."
Proverbs 8:14-15 KJV
"Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice."
Proverbs 10:19 NLT
"Too much talk leads to sin.
Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."
Proverbs 10:19 KJV
"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise."
Overall an excellent book, for beginners and advanced students of the Bible alike. The author took me several layers deeper into the Word of God - I enjoyed the ride!
Great Intro to Proverbs.......2006-11-05
Part II of Longman's little "How to Read" series, I think it is by far the best of the three (his Psalms intro is a close second). His exposition on the meaning of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly was fantastic. His integration of other wisdom books was very helpful and militates against an isolated reading of Proverbs. And his interpretation that the woman in Proverbs 31 represents Jesus was genius. This book really motivates you to tackle Proverbs on your own and to really appreciate its artform. And you can't ask more from a intro book.
Review of "How To Read Proverbs" by Longman.......2006-10-19
For a brief, nontechnical introduction to Proverbs, and wisdom literature in general, you will want this book. Longman discusses Proverbs in three sections: 1) General overview of Proverbs and wisdom; 2) How Proverbs fits into the overall theme of ancient wisdom (this includes the other wisdom books in the Bible and wisdom in other parts of the ancient world); and 3) Themes in Proverbs (money, love & marriage, wise and foolish words).
This book is not a verse by verse study of Proverbs. For that you will want a commentary, such as that by Dave Bland or Bruce Waltke (see my reviews). Instead, this book is an introduction to Proverbs and the nature of wisdom literature.
Chapter one is entitled "Why Read Proverbs?" Below are comments from that chapter:
"Wisdom is the skill of living." (P.14)
"Wisdom entails the ability to avoid problems, and the skill to handle them when they present themselves. Wisdom also includes the ability to interpret other people's speech and writing in order to react correctly to what they are saying to us." (Pp.14-15)
Proverbs is more about E.Q. (emotional quotient) than I.Q. (intelligent quotient). Proverbs uses stories of animals (Prov. 24-28). "These animals don't have a high I.Q., but the verses plainly describe a skill in living that is remarkable."
"People who have a high I.Q. know many facts; they can solve difficult mathematical equations. Their ability to reason and use logic is superior to others'. People with emotional intelligence have other abilities, including `self-control, zeal and persistence and the ability to motivate oneself ... to control impulse and delay gratification; to regulate one's moods and keep distress from swamping the ability to think...'" (Longman quotes from Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence). Biblical wisdom is closer to EQ than IQ. (P.15-16)
"Wisdom is a skill, a `knowing how': it is not raw intellect, a `knowing that.'" "Why read Proverbs, then? To gain wisdom, which is an ability to navigate life." (P.16)
You'll appreciate the insights Longman's book will give you to get a handle on wisdom in general and Proverbs in particular. I recommend it.
Wonderful and clear introduction to Proverbs.......2005-08-01
Tremper Longman has provided a very readable and useful snapshot into the book of Proverbs. There are no overly academic descriptions here; Dr. Longman successfully promotes sound exegetical ideas into very simple-sounding English. But don't let the simplicity fool you; there is a lot of important information here that will save you a lot of pain in the future if you heed the author's advice. If you are reading this I'm assuming you have an interest in studying the book of Proverbs, so I won't try to convince you of the value of Proverbs.
Dr. Longman gives the reader plenty of background information in three informative sections. The first section deals with background on the nature of the proverb; what it is and what it is not. Knowing the historical setting is stressed. Exegetical principles are established by looking for patterns such as parallelism, and numerical parallelism, imagery and others. The second section deals with the context of wisdom in the Bible; how the comments in Proverbs relate to other Bible books such as Job and Ecclesiastes. On this topic, Tremper Longman may be one of the best because he has written extensively on the Hebrew wisdom literature, and his Biblical and historical insights are quite valuable. The final section is a list of a few special studies in proverbs, such as the topic of money and marriage. Although not exhaustive, they are insightful and help the reader to see how to put the ideas of the previous sections into practice.
The author deals with practical issues such as "Are proverbs always true?" This chapter is worth the price of the book, because in my experience Christians tend to take proverbs as always true when in fact they are reflections on life that are generally true. Why some proverbs seem to contradict each other is also discussed very well. Dr. Longman treats with integrity and thoughtfulness the topic of is Jesus/Yeshua referred to as the "wisdom" in Proverbs 8. And the comparison of proverbs to other forms of ancient literature was a real treat.
In short, this is a great first-stop shopping book that I recommend prior to a study of Proverbs. The book is not overly Jewish, but you will gain some insight into ancient Jewish culture from this study of wisdom literature. Advanced scholarly types might not find the book as useful, but Longman's explanations are pretty thoughtful and would be very useful for teaching purposes. I think regardless of training, you will still find some helpful insights. The book could also be the topic of a Bible study, since there are a series of group-discussion questions at the end of each chapter. There are also lots of suggestions for further reading, and a list of useful commentaries. A delightful book overall that will enhance your walk with God!
excellent intro to proverbs.......2002-12-19
I am looking forward to Longman's commentary on the Proverbs. Longman is a solid exegete of OT wisdom books.
Book Description
The Old and New Testaments, Two Volumes in One
Excellent guide to the Bible places these historic sites and events within the grasp of any reader. With maps, tables, line drawings and cross-references. In any easy-to-use format. Maps and drawings throughout.
Customer Reviews:
A friend for the journey.......2003-12-06
These volumes in the stellar series by the Crossroad Press on how to read the Bible are available as separate volumes, but the work of Fr. Etienne Charpentier is such that when the reader gets one book, the other book will be desired. These volumes, 'How to Read the Old Testament' and 'How to Read the New Testament' from Charpentier are translated from the French series Les Editions du Cerf.
This is in some ways a guide for those who don't know how to read the Bible. It is in some ways done as a travel guide - the Bible is the destination, but like most geographic places, there are actually a variety of landmarks and stops to make in any location, and these will all vary.
These books are richly illustrated with maps, line-art drawings, side-bar boxes and pull-boxes, and other graphic-design features that make reading an adventure. One can read through each chapter as a narrative, and then return to fill in the blanks with the sidelined information.
The first twenty or so pages of each are a sort of preparation for the journey. The Old Testament volume looks at the basic structure of the Bible (more of a library of books than a 'book' itself). Then, it gives general historical and cultural information to see how the people of the Bible related to and were affected by their geography, their language, their neighbours, etc. There is a basic timeline that the reader can reference as she proceeds through the rest of the text. The New Testament volume looks at three stages of development in the formation of the New Testament: the life and teaching of Jesus, the original communities and their shared stories, then the final redaction and writing of the texts. Then, Charpentier looks both at the literary genre of the Gospels, and the literary genres found in the Gospels. One of Charpentier's very interesting observations is that it is fortunate for us that we do not have a photograph of Jesus - we might even feel, by extension, that we are fortunate to have the ambiguous textual story of him that we do.
Following the introduction in the first volume, there are seven chapters roughly following the outline of the history of ancient Israel, and talks about the books of the Bible as they were written, which is not the order in which they are arranged in any of the canons (the Hebrew arrangement and the Christian arrangements are different, but none follow the pattern of original date of authorship as the primary guiding principle). The history begins essentially at the Exodus, as the beginning of the people of Israel as a self-determining group. It proceeds from there to the settlement of Canaan/Palestine, the united kingdom of Saul, David and Solomon, the period of the two kingdoms, the Babylonian exile, the return to partial freedom under Persian domination, and finally existing under Greek and then Roman rule. There is a special chapter on the book of the Psalms, an important book that crosses many boundaries.
In the second volume, the chapters that follow roughly the historical order of the three stages of development: the world of the first Christians, the Easter event celebrated, the person and work of Paul, a look at each of the Gospels and other writings (Mark, Matthew, Luke/Acts, the Gospel and Letters of John, the Apocalypse), and ends with the enigmatic yet meaningful discussion of the beginnings of the Gospels - the Gospels are never ending, in a very real sense. Each chapter has a narrative section of history, with a second section looking at a key idea or piece of importance for later Christian development and practice.
This guide can be used individually or as part of groups in church or school settings. It's outline would make for a good one-semester course on each Testament at the undergraduate or even advanced high school level, a Sunday school or Bible school series, or for an individual to use as 'traveller's friend' while going it alone.
This book assumes the reader will have a copy of the Bible to use side by side with the text - it does not replace the Bible or the necessity of reading the actual texts in the Bible. The author recommends the Revised Standard Version or the Jerusalem Bible; both of which have also been updated since the original writing of this volume.
In the first volume, the Journey's End is where Charpentier looks at Jewish and Christian continuations in worship and theology from these early texts, and provides a good (albeit somewhat outdated) list for further reading. There is also a section on Jewish literature outside of the Bible,
The final timeline, a rather complex and involved grid, found on pages 118-119, is a very valuable study tool, worth keeping for study in biblical and historical subjects. It combines the history of persons, places and events on the top with the history of the writing of the actual texts below.
In the second volume, Charpentier gives a good but somewhat dated list for further reading in New Testament and Gospel studies. He also gives a list of the writings of the Early Church Fathers for a look at the further development of Christian writing prior to the closure and formation of the canon of the New Testament.
A great study aid, interesting and useful. Fr. Etienne Charpentier dedicated much of his effort to encouraging Bible study, particularly among his fellow Catholics. He gives tribute to those who worked with him in Chartres and across France as co-workers in the production of this volume.
Excellent Introduction to reading the Bible.......2000-07-06
This is an excellent introduction to "how to read the bible" (aka hermeneutics) for absolute beginners. This particular edition of the book covers both the Old and New Testaments and assumes no previous knowledge yet it is sufficiently detailed for those who want to go beyond the "beginners" stage. There is also a workbook for home study groups.
The book is written from a liberal/orthodox catholic Christian perspective and includes a lot of material on the history of the cultures of the various scriptural authors in order to gain cultural context. This book uses both literary criticism and the historical-critical method to illuminate the writings of the bible and would not suit anyone who objects to these approaches.
Product Description
An Easy Start to Greek. Failure to master the basics of a language -- its spelling and phonics rules -- will cripple our progress in mastering the whole language. Yet many Greek grammars spend little time teaching the symbols and sounds of the Greek alphabet. Before we can learn a language, we must master its alphabet. This new edition of A Greek Alphabetarion has been thoroughly revised and reformatted to make it easier for parents to teach their children, and for older students to learn by themselves. A syllabary (practice blending consonants and vowels) and a chrestomathy (practice reading sample passages) have been added in this new edition. A Greek Alphabetarion teaches the Greek alphabet in alphabetical order, letter by letter, using a rhythmic cadence to aid the students memorization. Then, it teaches the alphabet in phonetic order, classifying each letter by its sound. A Greek Alphabetarion helps the student step-by-step to master reading Greek before moving on to study Greek grammar. Suitable for all ages, child through adult, in homeschools, private schools, colleges, and seminaries. Pronunciation CD included.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Resource!.......2006-01-03
A Greek Alphabetarion, by Harvey Bluedorn, is a great resource to those of any age beginning the study of Biblical Greek. The book presents an in depth overview of the relationship between Greek and the English language, as well as providing students with an elementary study of the Greek alphabet and basic grammar. After building a basic understanding of the Greek alphabet, the book delves into Greek phonics, pronunciation, reading, and, finally, Bible verse translation. This Alphabetarian provides a basic foundation for advancing onto further Greek study, and does so with a with a Biblical foundation. I highly recommend it!
Great Greek Primer.......2005-12-01
I am extremely pleased with this introduction to the Greek language by Harvey Bluedorn.
My 10-year started it this past semester, and has enjoyed his lessons in Greek immensely.
Being independent in this subject especially thrills him. He reads the lesson, listens to the proper pronunciation of the Greek letter with the included compact disc, and then works in a copybook "A Greek Huppogram" (also by Harvey Bluedorn). We then review the material together. He has picked this up so quickly, no doubt due to the skill of Mr. Bluedorn in making this material understandable.
The Alphabetarian is broken up into three parts-the basic Greek alphabet, Greek reading skills for advancing students, and the Greek phonetic system for advanced students. (We are still working on part one). The book is very well organized, and makes what I thought would be an extremely difficult language to learn approachable, uncomplicated, and fun.
It's a great starter program for those interested in learning Greek, perfect for beginners or those in need of review.
The Best Way to Learn Greek!.......2005-07-29
I recently purchased this book along with the Greek Alphabet Flash Cards, and Greek Alphabet Banner to use in teaching my children Greek. I love the way that Mr. Bluedorn has set up this language program.
Mastering the sounds of the Greek alphabet is truly the most practical way of beginning language study. I was saddened to see that Matt (review above) does not see the value of this book. It is not simply an alphabet book, it also teaches the phonetic code of Greek. The sounds the letters make. It uses a similar teaching system to the Spalding method (The Writing Road to Reading) and to Wanda Sanseri's method which is an Orton/Spalding based program called: Spell to Write and Read.
The reason that we have an epidemic of dyslexia in America today is because children are not taught the phonetic code of the English langauge. They are taught whole-language/sight reading methods and can often read only books containing the small number of words that they have been taught. When you teach the phonetic code of a language first children can sound out any word that they have not previously read and will read and comprehend at a much higher level. (For more information on this topic go to my amazon.com review of Spell to Write and Read.) The same will be true of children who are first taught the phonetic code of Greek. They will eventually read and comprehend Greek at a much higher level than their counterparts who were taught a few Greek words by sight.
Since I already teach my children with Spell to Write and Read and they are familiar with this system of learning, it should be relatively easy to add on this program. First we will master all the sounds of the Greek alphabet, then I will check my children's understanding by giving them Greek phonogram quizzes (a la Spell to Write and Read), and then we can work into spelling simple Greek words. Reading Greek will be the next natural step.
Though I feel challenged by the idea of studying Greek, having this well laid out system by Mr. Bluedorn gives me hope and the tools I need to dig in and start learning.
I highly recommend that you also purchase the Greek Alphabet Flash Cards and the Greek Alphabet Banner to go along with this book and CD. We have already placed our Greek Alphabet Banner in our kitchen and it is quite beautiful and draws our children into a curiosity about these "strange letters." Curiosity is the first step to learning!
I am also looking forward to purchasing Mr. Bluedorn's Greek Copy book that will be available later this summer.
Britta McColl
Morning Star Learning
www.morningstarlearning.com
Basically Worthless.......2005-07-17
The Greek alphabet, which is the basis of our own, is quite simple. Why would anyone need a whole book about the alphabet. The book is basically worthless.
A Greek Alphabetarion.......2005-05-03
This program was developed by Harvey Bluedorn who along with his wife Laurie authored Teaching the Trivium. Having encouraged parents in the wisdom to consider teaching Greek, Mr. Bluedorn now provides us a venue to do so.
This program is designed so that a parent can easily and systematically begin to teach and learn Greek alongside their young children. An older child can easily go through the program at his own pace. The text is clear, well laid out and includes a valuable pronunciation CD. After completing this course one can continue a more in depth study of Greek with Mr. Bluedorn's Homeschool Greek program.
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Beginning Apologetics 7: How to Read the Bible--A Catholic Introduction to Interpreting and Defending Sacred Scripture
Frank Chacon
Manufacturer: San Juan Catholic Seminars
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ASIN: 1930084196 |
Book Description
Provides the basic tools to help Catholics read and interpret the Bible correctly. Also shows how to effectively refute the errors of some modern biblical scholars.
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Books Index
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