By Peter Krol
Andrew Davis has a lovely piece about “Why I Memorize Books of the Bible.” I confess that, though I’m a believer in memorizing lengthy portions of text, I have never memorized an entire book. But Davis makes me want to. Why?
By Peter Krol
Christopher Ash, author of a new book on the Book of Job, answers 6 key questions on the book of Job.
I haven’t read Ash’s new book yet, but his commentary on Job is one of the best commentaries I have read on any book of the Bible. My understanding of Job has been shaped profoundly by Ash’s insights. I commend his brief blog article for your consideration to get a quick overview.
By Peter Krol
Isaiah is one of those books I find especially difficult for modern readers. It is very long, and the neverending poetry can make it feel like sinking into a marsh with nothing to hold on to. Davy Elilson is here to help.
I hate being lost. Few things are more frustrating for me than meandering through an unfamiliar city, or hopelessly searching for an elusive item in the supermarket. I confess I’m not pleasant to be around in such moments.
Yet lost is exactly how I feel every time I come to Isaiah. As I begin reading, the same thoughts seize my attention: I will soon be lost; totally disoriented; Isaiah feels too big; there is no immediately discernible structure. Perhaps you share this experience. Somewhere in the middle of Isaiah 24, you begin to reel at the winding path that has brought you there and the unknown path that awaits you.
Perhaps a map would be useful. Let me offer some help by mapping five movements in Isaiah’s prophecy. These movements can aid us in finding our bearings in this mammoth book. As you’ll see, the movements are centered on one of Isaiah’s favorite descriptions of God: “the Holy One of Israel.”
Ellison’s concise map would be well worth your time and consideration. Along with an overview of the book, perhaps it may improve your chances of finding your way through such a crucial part of God’s Word.
By Peter Krol
If you’re looking to begin a study of Ezra and Nehemiah, Russell Meek has some important background for you to consider. He places the work within its historical context before tracing out some of the main theological themes: God’s sovereignty, worship, justice, and Scripture. Here is a taste:
I think the most important theological contribution Ezra-Nehemiah makes to our cultural context is its vision of the all-encompassingness of walking with God. These books show that every aspect of life is governed by the sovereign God. And this God is concerned about all aspects of life; there is no sacred-secular divide, no distinction between religious devotion and the rest of life—food, sex, work, worship, parenting, sorrow, joy, and everything else we do and experience in this life and the next comes under the sovereign purview of our almighty, faithful, fierce, loving Father. And, really, is that not the message of the entire Bible?
By Peter Krol
Thomas Willoughby has a helpful piece entitled “Does Leviticus 18 Apply to New Testament Believers?” In particular, he seeks to answer a common argument that the prohibition against homosexuality in Lev 18:22 no longer applies under the new covenant.
Willoughby models a clear and effective use of the context and structure of the text to conclude that not only Lev 18:22 but the chapter’s entire sexual ethic has abiding significance. I might quibble with some of his secondary conclusions, but overall, he makes a good case from both the context and correlation with the rest of Scripture.
By Peter Krol
Faithlife recently republished a guest post I wrote for them a few years back entitled “How to Empower Your Church for Serious Bible Study.” In the article, I promote four straightforward habits to develop a culture of rich Bible study within your church. Learn, model, teach, and coach. Please don’t rely on a single seminar or workshop to change people’s lives. Trust the process of discipleship, and win people through practice and repetition.
Here is a taste:
If you can’t articulate a simple Bible study method and show the fruit of it in your own walk with God, you’ll never win your congregation to the practice. You’ll inadvertently communicate that ordinary people can’t or shouldn’t try to study the Bible, and you’ll persistently work against a culture of Bible study within the church. Leaders must do more than regurgitate commentaries for their people; they must know how to handle the sacred text themselves.
Bible study skills are infectious, not contagious. In other words, they don’t catch very easily; they require close personal contact to be transmitted. In 17 years training dozens of people to study the Bible, I’ve seen that folks don’t really get Bible study until they’ve had ample opportunity to practice it, with coaching. Pastors can’t expect a single seminar or teaching event to create a culture; only a dogged pursuit of personal training will do it. So encourage people to try Bible study for themselves. And when they do, your role can shift from inimitable expert to beloved coach. Regularly check in, revisit the topic, and keep training people in groups both small and large.
By Peter Krol
Paul Tripp is a master of Bible application. In this brief conversation with J.D. Greear he considers the implications of James 4:2-3 on our prayer lives, especially in light of the sovereignty of God to do all his will. Why should we still pray, when God already knows what he’s going to do?
By Peter Krol
Andrea Crocker has a fine piece on her blog reminding us that the word of God is more reliable.
I would guess that most readers of this blog will quickly assent to these abstract statements. But when it comes down to it, do we live as though they are true. Let Crocker’s insights provoke you to greater love for Christ and his word.
By Peter Krol
I really appreciate Mike Leake’s reflection on the nature of spiritual doubt and how it ought not get in the way of our Bible study. Perhaps your doubt has so terrified that you that you’ve sought to shoot or strangle it instead of allowing it to motivate your wrestling with God’s words.
Truth is never scared of a microscope. If something is true then it’s true down to it’s very core. You don’t have to be afraid to ask difficult questions.
By Peter Krol
I was recently invited to be the guest on the Theological Ministry Podcast, to discuss how we, as parents or teachers, can train our children and students to study the Bible for themselves. I really enjoyed the conversation with hosts Ben and Tony and thought you might enjoy listening in. The episode is available on Apple Podcasts and Soundcloud.
