The Gift Of Reading Part 1

If the Word of God is our anchor in the chaos of this world, if it is our assurance that we can know the world and God its creator, we need confidence that we can understand this Word. Reading and applying the Bible is essential to every facet of Christian life and ministry, yet our ability to do so is under attack from a myriad of directions. In Postmodern philosophy, the possibility of communication is dismissed, let alone communication from God. In Biblical studies, the amount of knowledge required to come to firm conclusions concerning the meaning and application of the Bible grows every day. However, the BIble is not so pessimistic about its accesibility. Instead, it presents itself as a clear word, sufficient to guide and encourage Christians in every area of life.Beginning with the Bible's own claims to clarity and sufficiency, The Gift of Reading Part 1 outlines the practice of reading the Bible in order to understand and apply it. The Gift of Reading Part 2 will go further into the theory that lies beneath the methodology unpacked in Part 1.

If the Word of God is our anchor in the chaos of this world, if it is our assurance that we can know the world and God its Creator, we need confidence that we can understand this Word. Reading and applying the Bible is essential to every facet of Christian life and ministry, yet our ability to do so is under attack from a myriad of directions. In Postmodern philosophy, the possibility of communication is dismissed, let alone communication from God. In Biblical studies, the amount of knowledge required to come to firm conclusions concerning the meaning and application of the Bible grows every day. However, the Bible is not so pessimistic about its accessibility. Instead, it presents itself as a clear word, sufficient to guide and encourage Christians in every area of life. Having outlined in Part 1 a method for reading the Bible in order to understand it, The Gift of Reading Part 2 addresses the issues of hermeneutics or the theory of reading. After briefly surveying the major approaches to reading the Bible throughout the history of the Church, The Gift of Reading Part 2 argues for an understanding of the role of the text, read, and author based on a Biblical epistemology and theology.

How are Christians to think about the intellectual tasks that make up everyday life in the modern world? It is clear we are not to do so as the "world" does, but what does it look like to engage Christianly in our thinking? In the first part of the series, God's Gifts for the Christian Life, J. Alexander Rutherford shows how the Bible equips us to confidently engage in the interpretation of and engagement with the Word of God and the world he has created. In God's rich mercy, he has enabled us to know him, his word, and his world. In a world where it is preposterous and arrogant to claim to know anything certainly, we are in desperate need of renewed foundations. In God's Gifts for the Christian Life, see some of the ways that God through his limitless power has made available to us everything necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Educators must both respond to the impact of trauma, and prevent trauma at school. Trauma-informed initiatives tend to focus on the challenging behaviors of students and ascribe them to circumstances that students are facing outside of school. This approach ignores the reality that inequity itself causes trauma, and that schools often heighten inequities when implementing trauma-informed practices that are not based in educational equity. In this fresh look at trauma-informed practice, Alex Shevrin Venet urges educators to shift equity to the center as they consider policies and professional development. Using a framework of six principles for equity-centered trauma-informed education, Venet offers practical action steps that teachers and school leaders can take from any starting point, using the resources and influence at their disposal to make shifts in practice, pedagogy, and policy. Overthrowing inequitable systems is a process, not an overnight change. But transformation is possible when educators work together, and teachers can do more than they realize from within their own classrooms.

The Bible stands near the heart of the Christian faith. It has been read, sung, and taught for over 3000 years. Its stories have moved us, its songs shaped us, and its epistles taught us. But what is the Bible? Christians believe that it is the very words of God. But we could go further, is the Bible a novel, dictionary, textbook, historical collection of documents? It is in this sense of the question that we are interested in what the Bible is. Answering this question, what is the Bible, is essential if we are to understand its function in the life of Christians and their Churches. It is essential if we are to understand how the Bible addresses the crises of contemporary society and how it addresses the human heart across the ages. In this short book, we will look at this question from several perspectives, looking at how the Bible came to be, what it is, and the implications for how we read the Bible.

No doctrine appears more horrid to Christians and non-Christians alike as the doctrine of Hell, the belief in eternal, conscious punishment against sin. However, despite the efforts of many to dismiss the doctrine, the Biblical testimony is clear. Why is Hell so common in the Bible? Why does Jesus talk about Hell so often? In this short book, we will take a stark look at what the Bible says about Hell as retribution--punishment against sin. More importantly, we will see why this doctrine matters. It matters because only in light of Hell do we understand the Cross of Christ. Hell is a revelation of God--of His mercy, love, and justice. Finally, Hell reminds us that we are surrounded by many who will die and face Hell if they do not believe in Jesus Christ and receive the mercy of God offered through Him.

Many writers and commentators are convinced that Western culture and society are unravelling. Who can blame them! As I write this, violent protests rage across the USA in response to senseless murders. The political sphere has never seemed to virulent, and a deadly epidemic has affected all our lives. Many are agreed that there are serious problems working themselves out in Western society, yet among Christians, there is little agreement over the approach we should take to the West and its problems. This issue, how Christians should approach engagement with culture, is not a new one, nor is it a uniquely Western issue. Christians in every age and in every culture are confronted with this question. In response to many today who see it as the Christian responsibility to save the West, to preserve its unique cultural heritage and achievements, this author argues that our lives in this world need to be governed by three theological themes, ecclesiology, soteriology, and eschatology. That is, we must prioritize the local church, engage with society with the understanding that earthly kingdoms are manifestations of Satan’s kingdom, and live in light of Christ’s imminent return.

Habakkuk is a book of discipleship, a book written to bring its reader to a deeper faith in Yahweh in the presence of His unthinkable deeds. Amidst oppressive evil at the hands of their Judahite brothers, the righteous of Judah cry out to God for salvation. His response is the invasion of fearsome Chaldea. What appears to be horrid judgment is actually his plan to save those who trust in Him. All His people are called to extraordinary faith, to believe Him even when His deeds are unbelievable. In this way, and only this way, will they be delivered from their oppressors and enjoy God's blessings; only by faith can they have life. Habakkuk is a challenging yet beautiful book that has much to teach the people of God. Its eloquent poetry and interpretive issues make it a suitable, even necessary, subject for Hebrew study. The goal of this commentary and reader is to facilitate theological, devotional, and pastoral engagement with the Hebrew text of Habakkuk alongside development in one's understanding of Hebrew. After an extensive introduction discussing the significant issues and laying the groundwork for interpreting Habakkuk, this commentary presents the Hebrew text juxtaposed with an English translation and with contextual glosses for Hebrew Words occurring less than thirty times in the Hebrew Bible. Each section has an introduction followed by the text and comments on textual, theological, and interpretative issues. With a balance of theological reflection, exegetical depth, and assistance with the Hebrew text, the Hebrew student will be equipped to wrestle with the text in its original language and develop their understanding of the language simultaneously.