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So You Want to Be an Expositor?

February 7, 2017 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

by Greg Harris

To become a seasoned expositor of God’s Word requires a method, or a series of specific steps. Equally important, however, is one’s starting point, which is, sadly, quite often lacking. One’s starting point is important not only for learning how to become a better expositor, but also as a means of attaining reverence for God, another aspect of biblical exposition that is often overlooked. In short, we start—and stay—with God.

I have had the high privilege and calling of teaching Bible Exposition classes for more than thirty years. Very often, when I finish a class on a book such as Isaiah or Hebrews, students will sigh and say, “Oh, if we could only go back to the beginning of the Bible and do what we are doing now, it would be so tremendously rewarding!” I agree—such is the richness of God’s Word. However, I remind them that if we were to do that, they would be in seminary for twenty or more years and never leave our campus or go to minister to churches or institutions. Yet it is in response to this desire, and through God’s sovereignty, that the current volume, The Expositor’s Handbook: Old Testament Edition, has come into existence.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies, Old Testament, Pastoral

Greg Harris Explains ‘The Bible Expositor’s Handbook of the Old Testament’

February 2, 2017 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

The Bible Expositor’s Handbook of the Old Testament provides a thorough introduction to the attitudes and practices required to deeply understand the message of the Old Testament. Exhorting students of Scripture to approach the Old Testament with an attitude of humility and expectation, Greg Harris lays the groundwork for a Christ-centered interpretation that takes into account the redemptive story of the whole Bible. Employing a literal-grammatical hermeneutic, Harris leads the reader through the process of observing, interpreting, and applying the Old Testament.

Dr. Greg Harris—department head and professor of Bible exposition at The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, California—shares in this 5-minute video how this volume can help those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the Old Testament, and how Jesus Christ is the key to understanding its various parts.

Order a copy of The Bible Expositor’s Handbook of the Old Testament on WORDsearch, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Christianbook.com. Request a faculty review copy here.

Filed Under: Biblical Studies, Old Testament, Pastoral

Time, Verbal Aspect, and Proper Biblical Interpretation

January 3, 2017 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

by Andreas J. Köstenberger, Benjamin L. Merkle, and Robert L. Plummer

Because of the extraordinary revelations the apostle Paul received, he writes, “A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself” (2 Cor 12:7).

The apostle here employs a ἵνα clause to introduce the purpose of the messenger of Satan, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ (“to torment me”). The verb translated “torment” is the present active subjunctive third person singular of κολαφίζω. One noted commentator remarks on κολαφίζῃ, “The use of the present tense seems to imply that ‘the thorn in the flesh’ was a permanent affliction under which the apostle continued to suffer” (Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 285-86). Hodge seems to indicate that, conversely, if Paul had chosen the aorist tense (the only other real option for this subjunctive clause), then the “torment” Paul described would have been limited in duration or already past. In fact, while Hodge may be right in his conclusion (i.e., Paul suffered for the remainder of his life), the basis for his argument is invalid. By employing the present tense-form in 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul chooses to present his torment in progressive fashion, but does not indicate the time limit (or lack thereof) of that progressive depiction. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find such unguarded statements about tense and time in biblical commentaries.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies, Greek

Churches, Repent!

December 27, 2016 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

by Elmer Towns and Ben Gutierrez

Before Revelation pronounces a message of judgment on the unbelieving world, it first calls the churches to repentance. In these letters the Lord of the church speaks lovingly but firmly to the churches in words of both commendation and condemnation.

The message to each church follows the same sevenfold pattern:

1. Commission: “To the angel of the church ”
2. Character: “The One who . . . says this”
3. Commendation: “I know your works ”
4. Condemnation: “But I have this against you ”
5. Correction: “Repent . . . turn . . . change”
6. Call: “He who has an ear, let him hear”
7. Challenge: “To him who overcomes”

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies, New Testament, Pastoral

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men?

December 22, 2016 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

by Andreas J. Köstenberger

Christmas cards frequently proclaim, and Christmas carols echo, the well-known angelic pronouncement at Jesus’ birth of “peace on earth, good will toward men.”[1] Or do they? A closer look at the actual passage in Luke 2:14 proves both intriguing and illuminating. In context, Luke opens his narrative of the birth of Jesus Christ regarding the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus (31/27 BC–AD 14) who presided over the “Golden Age” of Rome and was widely heralded for having ushered in the period of Pax Romana, the “Roman peace.” Jesus was born during the reign of Augustus, the Roman “Prince of peace.” In keeping with Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus, too, came as the “Prince of peace,” and yet, the peace he came to bring was of an entirely different kind (cf. Isa 9:6; see also John 14:27). Jesus’ peace was not coercive, backed up by Roman military might; it was an otherworldly, supernatural peace—peace with God—that no human power can procure and no amount of money can buy.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies

The New Testament: Promises Fulfilled in Jesus

December 20, 2016 by bhacademic 1 Comment

How does one grasp the essence of the New Testament? Simply put, the New Testament is about promises fulfilled in Jesus.

Jesus himself understands the out-working of his ministry as the fulfillment of Israel’s promises concerning the Messiah (Luke 24:27). The New Testament is an entire Testament written to fulfill the promises left unfulfilled in the Old Testament. Thus, the New Testament forms the second part of the Christian Scriptures. One should be careful when reading the New Testament to see how many quotations and allusions there are to the Old Testament. The New Testament was not written in isolation from the Old Testament. The message of the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises concerning Jesus.

It is also important to think through the various sections of the New Testament and their unique perspective and emphasis on Jesus. Each section points in a unique way to show how Jesus fulfills God’s promises.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies, New Testament

A New Introduction to Inductive Bible Study

December 13, 2016 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

Inductive Bible Study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an approachable, step-by-step process moving from observation through interpretation and on to the application of God’s Word. Each step is viewed through the lenses of the hermeneutical triad, exploring the historical, literary, and theological elements that impact how one observes, interprets, and applies the Bible.

Chapter by chapter, Inductive Bible Study explores a broad representation of biblical texts as it illustrates the steps of inductive methodology across the literary landscape of Scripture.

Important features of the book include comparing translations, asking the right questions of the text, basic discourse analysis, considering various facets of context, the study of words and phrases, interpretive and thematic correlation, evaluating relevance and determining legitimacy in application, the role of the Holy Spirit in appropriating Scripture, and doing theology as the outflow of inductive Bible study.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies

Why Another Book on Inductive Bible Study?

December 8, 2016 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

by Andreas Köstenberger and Richard Alan Fuhr, Jr.

Why another book on inductive Bible study?

Since the 1952 work Methodical Bible Study by Robert A. Traina, dozens of books, ranging from popular-level works to academic textbooks, have presented a methodical, inductive approach to the study of the Scriptures. Another book is needed for the following two reasons.

First, as evangelical scholarship of the Bible continues to bring greater insight to the field of hermeneutics, there’s an ever-present need to incorporate those advances into a usable, applied guide for the study of the Bible. Second, as practitioners in teaching the next generation of students, we understand that there’s always room for improvement in developing an academically sound yet practically manageable presentation for learning how to do Bible study. This text assimilates a hermeneutically viable model into a step-by-step methodical approach to Bible study. We trust that the next generation of students, pastors, and all who desire to know God’s Word will be enriched by its insights and practical layout.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies

Craig Blomberg Looks at the Historical Realiability of the Entire New Testament

December 6, 2016 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

the_historical_reliability_nt_cvr_frontQuestions about the reliability of the New Testament are commonly raised today both by biblical scholars and popular media. Drawing on decades of research, Craig Blomberg addresses all of the major objections to the historicity of the New Testament in one comprehensive volume. Topics addressed include the formation of the Gospels, the transmission of the text, the formation of the canon, alleged contradictions, the relationship between Jesus and Paul, supposed Pauline forgeries, other gospels, miracles, and many more. Historical corroborations of details from all parts of the New Testament are also presented throughout. The Historical Reliability of the New Testament marshals the latest scholarship in responding to New Testament objections, while remaining accessible to non-specialists.

* * * * *

“This work fills a great need in dealing with the myriad of questions people raise to challenge the credibility of Scripture. It is sane, succinct (despite its apparent size), and systematic. This is a work not only to be read but to be used as a constant resource. Simply well done.”

—Darrell L. Bock, executive director of cultural engagement, Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership and Cultural Engagement, and senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Apologetics, Biblical Studies, New Testament

Is the New Testament Historically Reliable?

December 2, 2016 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

by Craig Blomberg

the_historical_reliability_nt_cvr_frontThis present work, The Historical Reliability of the New Testament, gathers most of the major threads of some of my previous works together, in a completely new topical arrangement, but also moves on to numerous additional issues that the scope of my previous works prevented me from addressing at all. While not nearly as erudite or prodigious as Kenneth A. Kitchen’s magnificent On the Reliability of the Old Testament, it does share with Kitchen’s tome a desire to cover the major concerns spanning an entire Testament of the Bible with plentiful footnotes to just about every topic raised, in order to enable interested readers to dig more deeply wherever they might wish to do so.

 

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Filed Under: Apologetics, Biblical Studies, New Testament

God’s Five Negatives

November 3, 2016 by bhacademic Leave a Comment

by Benjamin L. Merkle

pexels-photoSome have (mistakenly) stated that the subjunctive mood communicates uncertainty. The subjunctive mood, however, can communicate something that is emphatically certain not to happen. Such is the case with a use of the subjunctive labeled “emphatic negation.” This use is expressed by the double negative οὐ μή (the indicative and non-indicative negative particles) plus the aorist subjunctive. As the name suggests, this type of negation is emphatic and strongly denies that something will occur. In fact, it is the strongest way to negate a statement in Greek.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies, Greek, Pastoral

The Best Way to Improve Your Greek

October 4, 2016 by bhacademic 5 Comments

by Todd Scacewater

37.256The best way to improve your Greek is simply to read it. Read lots of it. Immerse yourself in Greek as much as possible.

Admittedly, this is not easy. There are a few problems with immersing yourself in the Greek consistently, but also some practical ways to get over the hurdles.

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Filed Under: Biblical Studies, Greek

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