Getting to Know the Bible
Lesson 5.1 The Bible to Us

I. Review and Introduction

A. Opening thought: Charles Hummel. Creation or Evolution, p. 6 (1989).

From time to time someone asks, “Do you take the Bible Literally?” To which I respond, I take the literal parts literally, the figurative parts figuratively and the allegorical parts allegorically.”

The point should be clear. The Bible, consisting of sixty-six books written over a period of 1,300 years, contains many kinds of literature: prose and poetry, literal and figurative language, psalms and proverbs, historical narratives and parables. Each of those literary types has its own principles of interpretation. Whether we are studying Shakespeare or Michener or the Bible, those principles apply. We are not allowed to make a passage say whatever we want it to.

B. Seriously – don’t take the Bible literally everywhere but do take it seriously everywhere.

C. Paul – How to read the Old Testament – I Corinthians 10:1-13…

II. The Bible to Us

A. Jesus to Us

1. John 1:1-4, 14-18, The Logos Word…

2. Matthew 11:28-30. His Yoke…

3. Matthew 7:24-27. His Rock.

4. Luke 6:46 – 49. His Lordship

B. Paul to Us – I Timothy 4:6-8, Godliness and training…

C. John to Us - I John 4:1-3

D. James to Us – James 1:22-25

E. Peter to Us – I Peter 1:13-16

F. The Apocalypse, John to Us – Rev 1:1-3…

Reading for the Week: John Kuhatschek, How to Study the Bible,(Green Booklet) (IVP 1985)