Peter Krol | Knowable Word

The Real Reasons Most Don’t Read the Bible

January 22, 2025 By Peter Krol

This thought-provoking piece by Ava Ligh warrants considerable reflection. In addressing the question “Why don’t we read the Bible more?” Ligh suggests that the most commonly-given answer — that we don’t have time — is not the real answer. (My co-blogger Ryan would agree.)

Instead, Ligh suggests that:

The real reasons we don’t read the Bible go unexamined because we consider them unacceptable. The Bible feels boring and like a waste of time. I’ve had this confirmed by the college students to whom I minister. It’s boring for those who have grown up in Sunday School and feel they already know all the stories and key verses and that there’s nothing new to learn. It feels like a waste of time for those who find the Bible difficult to understand.

Note: that doesn’t mean the Bible is a boring book but that we are bored readers. There is a difference. (Again, I suspect Ryan would agree.)

For that reason, Ligh explains three common misunderstandings of the Bible that tend to produce bored Bible readers.

The Bible is to be applied.
The Bible is a collection of isolated teachings.
The Bible should be instantly understandable.

Ligh corrects each misunderstanding with a thoughtful and cogent alternative that ought to spur us on to greater delight in this Book of books.

Check it out!

Reject Easy Money

January 17, 2025 By Peter Krol

Financial impropriety will ruin your influence. Therefore, Solomon commands us straight-out to reject the enticement to easy money.

“My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent” (Prov 1:10)

It’s not all that complicated. “If sinners entice you, do not consent.” Just say no. Turn away from evil. Don’t even consider it.

Sinners entice us, and they entice us constantly. They entice us from within, and they entice us from without. In other words, sometimes the enticement comes from “out there” (peer pressure, advertisements, and cultural expectations), and sometimes it comes from “in here” (our own sinful nature that says “I want”). We can’t avoid the enticement. We can’t prevent it. Sweet promises of monetary delights are all around us. All we can do is either accept or reject it, so Solomon cuts through the deception and excuses with a simple command: “Do not consent.”

close up photography two brown cards — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Sometimes the enticement comes in the form of another credit card application. Sometimes it happens when a neighbor gets a new vehicle, and you want one, too. At other times, you look at the bills piling up, or at the out-of-date sound system, and you wish for something more. Perhaps you slack off on your job search because the unemployment compensation is both sufficient and convenient. Maybe you spend too much time at work, to the neglect of your family or spiritual development. Or, you‘d like to give money to your church, but so many other things just keep coming up. Whatever shape the enticement takes, do you consent to it? Are you a willing participant?

You might wonder why I’m focusing on money and possessions, when it’s obvious that there are all kinds of enticements to sin in our fallen world. Why not focus on alcoholism, cheating, illicit sex, or violence? The reason is that Solomon clearly explains what sort of enticement he is referring to when he concludes the current section in Prov 1:19: “Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain.” He is concerned with the unjust acquisition of wealth. In other words, the pursuit of a quick buck, at the cost of serving others, will always keep us from being wise.

This post was first published in 2012.

The Psalms are Worth Enjoying

January 15, 2025 By Peter Krol

The Psalms are some of the most engaging and beautiful poems in the history of literature. In his piece, “How to Enjoy the Psalms Even More,” Jacques Nel gives five suggestions to help you delight in these songs of Zion.

Savor the imagery.
Pay attention to the arrangement of the book.
Look for structure.
Contemplate parallelism.
Sing the Psalms.

These are some great idea worth considering. Check it out!

Easy Money Will Keep You from Being Wise

January 10, 2025 By Peter Krol

In season one of the TV show 24, federal agent Jack Bauer suspects his supervisor George Mason to be withholding vital information from a criminal investigation. So Bauer shoots him with a tranquilizer gun. While Mason lies unconscious on the couch, Bauer sets his cronies to dig up anything that will give Bauer bargaining leverage with Mason. They discover that just a few years earlier, a substantial sum of money disappeared from government coffers and landed in an offshore account owned by none other than Supervisor Mason. Bauer gets his bargaining chip, and when Mason regains consciousness Bauer is able to extort the required information by revealing his newfound knowledge of Mason’s dark secret.

Even if you haven’t seen 24, you’ve probably heard the same story line played out a zillion times in television dramas, political campaigns, and news headlines. Money issues are often at the center when someone’s character is defamed by scandal. It could be theft, tax evasion, questionable accounting practices, or simply poor management. But whatever the specific instance, it is clear that a failure to handle money with integrity has the potential to disqualify a person from receiving our trust.

This fact was no less true in ancient Israel than it is today. As we’ll see in the next few Proverbs posts, Solomon warns his people of the dangers of money issues. First, he commands the one seeking wisdom to reject the enticement to easy money (Prov 1:10). Then he explains why: easy money makes promises (Prov 1:11-14), but it can’t keep them (Prov 1:15-18) and is ultimately self-destructive (Prov 1:19).

man in black t shirt sitting on chair — Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

This post was first published in 2012.

Why Mark Ends So Abruptly

January 8, 2025 By Peter Krol

Douglas Sean O’Donnell asks why Mark’s gospel ends without mention of Jesus’ resurrection. The “longer ending” of Mark appears to be a later addition, not original to Mark’s text. O’Donnell has a few theories:

It forces us to trust Jesus’ authoritative word.
It reemphasizes the importance of the cross.
It calls us to discipleship.

O’Donnell’s brief reflections are well worth your time.

Check it out!

Answers to Christmas Observation Exercise

January 1, 2025 By Peter Krol

Last week, I posted some questions to see how well you’ve observed the birth narratives in Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, and Revelation 12. I now come bearing answers.

In a dream (Matt 1:20)
He came to her in a city of Galilee called Nazareth (Luke 1:26-28)
An angel of the Lord (Matt 1:20)
Gabriel (Luke 1:26)
Both (Matt 1:21, Luke 1:31)
Immanuel (Matt 1:22-23)
The Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32)
Joseph (Matt 1:25). Luke 2:21 does not specify which parent named him, but Matt 1:25 does.
A great red dragon (Rev 12:3-4), who is the ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan (Rev 12:9).
Herod (Matt 2:16)
A house (Matt 2:11)

10. Did Jesus’ Ministry Last 3 Years?

This 2019 post was #6 on this list last year. In this post, Peter considers the information from the gospels to reconsider the tradition that Jesus’ ministry lasted 3 years. Quite a few commenters are concerned that anything other than a 3-year ministry throws off their calculations from Gabriel’s message in Daniel 9. However, we’re not swayed by views that require certain assumptions about an end-times sequence of events in order to work.

9. My Favorite Way to Read the New Testament

This 2015 post makes its debut on the annual top 10 list this year. The “way” discussed in this post is not about finding time in your schedule, or deciding on a version of the Bible. The “way” is a reading plan, subdividing the New Testament into four tracks modeled after the four gospels. Read Matthew along with the Jewish epistles (James and Hebrews). Read Mark along with Peter’s epistles (since Peter was Mark’s chief source). Read Luke and Acts along with Paul’s epistles (since Luke was a companion of Paul’s). And read John along with John’s epistles and Revelation. This reading plan highlights what is distinct about each gospel, demonstrating the fulness of the kingdom Jesus brought to earth.

8. 3 Questions I Ask During Every Bible Study

Ryan asks these 3 questions during every Bible study. Do you? Would you like to? Maybe 2025 is your year to start a Bible study. Then you can ask these 3 questions, too. Lots of people are asking them, or at least discovering the value of asking them. That’s why this was our most-viewed post of the year, from those published this year. And only 7 posts in the entire archive outperformed it; no small feat, as Ryan wrote it only in August. (The second most-viewed piece published in 2024 was 18th most-viewed overall.)

7. Details of the OIA Method

This post serves as a table of contents to Peter’s series on how to study the Bible. It pretty much explains why this blog exists, so we’re glad it gets a lot of pageviews, even though it hasn’t shown up on this list since 2020.

6. What Should We Make of the Massive Repetition of Tabernacle Details in Exodus?

This 2018 post also makes its debut on the top 10 list due to a surge in views this year. In 2018, it was the third most-viewed post written that year, but has since faded into mild obscurity…until now. Sometimes people fear studying or teaching through the book of Exodus because they fear they won’t know what to do with all the tabernacle details. And then what do you do when nearly every detail is repeated? What a marvelous opportunity to strengthen our observation skills!

5. Summary of the OIA Method

Just as the title says, this post summarizes the OIA method we aim to teach. It’s basically the reason this blog exists, so we’re glad it gets a lot of page views. This is up from #7 last year.

4. Top 10 OT Books Quoted in NT

This post was #10 for the last few years. Though it comes from a series that analyzes not only books but also chapters and verses, this list of most-quoted books always seems to be one of the most popular.

3. 11 Old Testament Books Never Quoted in the New Testament

This post was #9 for the last few years. It comes from the same six-part series—mentioned in the previous entry—analyzing every NT citation of an OT text. It’s interesting that, in that series about the NT quoting the OT, the most popular post is about the OT books that never get a direct quotation.

2. Context Matters: You Have Heard That it was Said…But I Say to You

This 2018 post was #9 on this list in 2020, but rose to #3 in 2021 and remained in that position until hitting #2 this year. This post examines the series of contrasts in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to determine, from the context, what Jesus was arguing against. Hint: It wasn’t the Old Testament Law.

1. Why Elihu is So Mysterious

The popularity of this 2015 post (republished in 2021) continues to surprise us. We really cannot explain why it has been so popular, but if you haven’t read it, you must really be missing out! Elihu is that mysterious fourth friend in the book of Job. If you even knew he existed, chances are you’ve skipped his speeches entirely. This post is Peter’s attempt to explain Elihu’s role in the drama of the play of Job. This post was #3 in 2017, but since then has alternated between the #1 and #2 slots.

Previous years’ lists: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013

How Well Have You Observed the Birth Narratives?

December 25, 2024 By Peter Krol

For your Christmas cheer, here is a little quiz. How well have you observed the narratives of Jesus’ birth over the years? First, try this without looking. Then check out Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, and Revelation 12 for any answers you struggled to remember. Or go ahead and read those passages first, then come back here to see how well you observed them?

In what form or setting did the angel appear to Joseph, when he told him Mary would have a child?
In what form or setting did the angel appear to Mary, when he told her she would have a child?
Which angel appeared to Joseph?
Which angel appeared to Mary?
Which parent—Mary or Joseph—was told to name the child Jesus?
What other name does Matthew say the child will be called?
What other name does Luke say the child will be called?
Which parent—Mary or Joseph—actually named him Jesus when he was born?
Who was waiting to kill Jesus right before he was born?
Who tried to kill him shortly after he was born?
In what sort of structure was Jesus located when the wise men met him and fell down to worship him?

I will post the answers next week so you can see how you did.

10. Proverbs: Three Kinds of People

This year, I’ve been revising and editing an old blog series on Proverbs 1-9. This is one of the introductory posts, explaining the three primary categories of people in the book: the wise, the foolish, and the simple. Which one are you today? Which will you be tomorrow?

9. A Word to Those who Wish to Help Others Apply the Bible

This post reflects on perhaps the most important practice for a Bible teacher or small group leader to embrace: Do not try to help others to apply a Bible passage without first applying it to yourself. If you feel the need to schedule “devotional time” in the Scripture, in isolation from your “teaching preparation time,” you have perhaps fallen afoul of the temptation toward hypocrisy: Asking others to do something (apply a particular passage of Scripture) you have not been willing to do yourself. Let’s not do that.

8. We Must Pay Close Attention or We Will Drift Away

The first of many terrific posts from Ryan to show up on this list. The author of Hebrews doesn’t want you to be like a leaf on a lake, steadily drifting from shore. This will surely happen, if you don’t take pains to work against it by holding fast to Christ and listening carefully to him.

7. Proverbs: A Journey in the Right Direction

An interpretive overview of the entire book of Proverbs. Would you like to dive into one of the most important books for practical guidance? Do you have your bearings? Do you know how the argument flows from beginning to end? Are you still thinking of wisdom as something a person has, rather than something a person pursues? This post may be just the push you need to get going in the right direction.

6. Proverbs: Audience

Another piece of Proverbs overview. While #10 on this list considered the people within the book, this one considers the people who were first supposed to read the book. And by knowing who they were, we’re better equipped to read the book well ourselves. We just may find ourselves in similar shoes, needing the wisdom found within this masterpiece of human literature.

5. What We Miss When We Skip the Book of Leviticus

Ryan enjoys motivating people to give attention to the obscure parts of the Bible. In this post, he explains how a holy God can dwell with sinful people. You won’t want to miss that, so don’t skip it! For insight into other books you wouldn’t want to skip, see: Ezra, Nehemiah, Lamentations, Numbers, and the Prophets.

4. Your Buying Guide for Bible Study Resources: Updated for 2024

This year’s buying guide was quite popular, thanks in part to a referral link from the Gospel Coalition. It’s nice when others also want people to get great resources for Bible study. If you’re in the market for Bibles, study helps, or children’s resources, this post is your one-stop shop for all manner of things that will help you to learn effective OIA Bible study.

3. When Bible Reading Doesn’t Produce a Neat and Tidy Takeaway

Ryan’s penultimate entry on this list addresses the modern tendency to want our Bible study packaged up into clear and simple action steps. But the process generally has greater value than any particular products we take home from it. It’s okay if you don’t get a simple takeaway every time. Just keep going, for God is at work.

2. Why ‘Proverbs Aren’t Promises’ is Misleading

In August, I reposted this older post so I could go on vacation with my family. And it got quite a bit of traction, renewing interest in the topic. It got some attention, including a written critique on The Gospel Coalition Canada site, to which I replied that ‘Proverbs Aren’t Promises’ is Still Misleading. The conventional wisdom that “proverbs aren’t promises” really needs to face the barrel end of a copernican revolution. Not because of what it says about proverbs, but because of what it says about promises.

1. 3 Questions I Ask During Every Bible Study

Ryan asks these 3 questions during every Bible study. Do you? Would you like to? Maybe 2025 is your year to start a Bible study. Then you can ask these 3 questions, too. Lots of people are asking them, or at least discovering the value of asking them. That’s why this was our most-viewed post of the year, from those published this year. Only 7 posts in the archive outperformed it, which we’ll tell you about next week.

Previous years’ top tens: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

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