Helpful description of how Old Testament history relates to Christ

"In order for Christ the King to come through the chosen nation, the kingdom had to be formed. Under Joshua the Israelites took possession of the land for the kingdom (Joshua). Because of incomplete obedience, this was followed by the oppression of the nation (Judges). But devotion within the nation (Ruth) brought about a long-needed stabilization (1 Samuel) under Saul's kingship. This was followed by the expansion of the nation under King David (2 Samuel). After a brief period of Israel's glorification under Solomon (1 Kings 1-10), we witness the division of the nation into two kingdoms (1 Kings 11-22). Eventually this led to the deterioration of the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 1-17) and the deportation of the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 18-25). Chronicles reviews the prophetic history of Samuel and Kings from a priestly point of view, showing the deprivation (1 Chronicles) and ultimate destruction of the Temple (2 Chronicles). All is not lost, however, for God's providential hand is witnessed in the protection of His people in Babylon (Esther), the restoration of their Temple (Ezra), and the reconstruction of their nation (Nehemiah). Thus the checkered history of the Old Testament ends with the returned remnant awaiting the coming Redeemer." (Norm Geisler in A Popular Survey of the Old Testament, p.21-22)

a glimpse into my bible study

"We do not study the Bible just to get to know the Bible. We study the Bible that we might get to know God better."

"We do not study the Bible just to get to know the Bible. We study the Bible that we might get to know God better. Too many earnest Bible students are content with outlines and explanations, and do not really get to know God. It is good to know the Word of God, but this should help us better know the God of the Word." Warren Wiersbe

helpful commentary on psalms

I picked up this book for one my Old Testament classes. It can be a bit technical at points, but it's pretty understandable for the serious Bible student and has been very helpful to me in understanding the Psalms.

Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook by Mark D. Futato

“Apply yourself wholly to the text; apply the text wholly to yourself.” Johann Albrecht Bengel

great bible commentaries

Here's a great online resource that lists the best commentaries for each book of the Bible:

www.bestcommentaries.com

You can filter the list according to three types of commentaries:

• Technical (T) - more academic; harder to understand if you don't have a working knowledge of Greek or Hebrew
• Pastoral (P) - helpful for preparing to preach a sermon or teach a Bible study; a little easier to understand the the technical commentaries
• Devotional (D) - for individuals simply looking to glean spiritual depth and insight
  

dual authorship of scripture

Wayne Grudem:

In cases where the ordinary human personality and writing style of the author were prominently involved, as seems the case with the major part of Scripture, all that we are able to say is that God’s providential oversight and direction of the life of each author was such that their personalities, their backgrounds and training, their abilities to evaluate events in the world around them, their access to historical data, their judgment with regard to the accuracy of information, and their individual circumstances when they wrote, were all exactly what God wanted them to be, so that when they actually came to the point of putting pen to paper, the words were fully their own words but also fully the words that God wanted them to write, words that God would also claim as his own.

Norman Geisler:

Judging by the various vocabulary, grammar, styles, figures of speech, and human interests of the various authors, God did not disregard the personality and culture of the biblical writers when He providentially guided them to be the vehicles through which He revealed His written Word to humankind. On the contrary, the Bible is a thoroughly human book in every respect, except that it is without error. Regardless of the mystery surrounding how God was able to make His word certain without the destroying the freedom and personality of the authors, several things are clear. The human authors of Scripture were not mere secretaries taking dictation; their freedom was not suspended or negated, and they were not automatons. What they wrote is what they desired to write in the style that they were accustomed to using. God in His providence engaged in a divine concurrence between their words and His so that what they said, He said.

John MacArthur:

God formed the personality of the writer. God made [him] into the man He wanted him to be. God controlled his heredity and his environment. When the writer reached the point that God intended, God directed and controlled the free choice of the man so that he wrote down the very words of God. God literally selected the words of each author’s own life, out of his personality, his vocabulary, and his emotions. The words were man’s words, but that man’s life had been so framed by God that they were God’s words as well.

reposted from expositorythoughts.wordpress.com

ingredients of effective bible study

as i've been teaching the Bible more regularly lately, i've noticed what i call "the three secret ingredients of effective bible study" (specifically for preparing to teach but applicable to general study also). here they go:

1- lots of questions - i've noticed that the best teachers challenge the text. they don't leave any stone unturned. that's what i've been noticing in my observations of great teachers and then applying to my own teaching preparation. "why did he use this word instead of that?" "why is 'the month of nisan' important to the context of this passage?" the difference between good teachers and great teachers is the questions they ask.

2 - lots of prayer - this is something i've learned in "the school of failure and fatigue" as i've heard some say. we as teachers get so absorbed in the study of the text that we forget to engage the Spirit who inspired the text. our studying must be soaked in praying. that's what makes a passage take life. that's where a 'burden' is formed in our hearts. that's what gives our teaching that "demonstration of the Spirit's power." (1 Cor.1).

3 - time to let it marinate - this is so crucial and all too often i'm pressed up against the last minute. there is a depth of insight and precision of application that rarely comes immediately. i'm sure you've had that "if only i had more time" afterthought. something you noticed later. clarity you didn't have at the time. an illustration that would've been perfect. we all know that feeling. but when we sit with a text, then leave it, and let it turn over and over in our minds, it has a way of working its way down into our hearts, and the Spirit brings it back up with a refined, spiritual quality to it that can only happen with time. so START EARLIER!

that's what i'm learning. take a passage of scripture, throw in lots of questions, add lots of prayer, then give it time to marinate and...now you're cookin! (yep, couldn't resist it. it was just too perfect.)