“Rightly taking this approach to Scripture will place us in an appropriate
relationship to the text. We are not the principal or even supporting characters
in the Bible. This is one of the dangers of adopting a “life verse” mentality
regarding the biblical text.” (Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 3-4)
This is a well stated approach to scripture. Taking a “life verse” mentality
takes away from the message and application of scripture and can indeed be
dangerous. This non-contextual approach can open the door to twisted scripture
and pave the way to a self-serving false doctrine that has individuals trying
to bend God to their will instead of humbling themselves and submitting to
God’s will. Taking a correct approach lends itself to a contextual understanding
which helps support the appropriate relationship of us to scripture.
Understanding that Jesus is the main character is the point and without a
holistic understanding, which only comes from contextual reading of scripture,
that point can be missed. For example, Matthew 19:24 ESV “Again I tell
you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for
a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Taken out of context and a
self-focused understanding it is understood that an individual that is wealthy
cannot be saved, and that we must be poor to enter the kingdom of God.
This is not true and discounts Jesus from the verse. It is not by our earthly
worth that entrance to the kingdom is decided. Continuing reading to gain a
contextual approach reveals again that Jesus is the point. Consider the response
from the disciples. Matthew 19:25 ESV “When the disciples heard this, they
where greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” They were baffled
by the fact that the wealthy could not obtain salvation. When the context is
understood for the time frame that this happens the wealthy were seen as
righteous because God must be on with them for them to be rich and if
it was impossible for the wealthy, it is unobtainable to everyone else.
Continuing with the passage gives a better and full contextual understanding
of the message that separates the self from the message and presents God.
Matthew 19:26 ESV “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is
impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Taking the appropriate
approach to scripture is what allows us to fully understand the meaning of
the scripture and when we do this God shines through every bit of it.
• “It may be challenging to think through Scripture in these terms
because we are so used to our plans going astray. We dream,
hope, and strategize only to be caught off guard by something we
did not foresee happening.” (Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 4)
This quote is referring to how God has a plan and is always in control.
Understanding this principle and attribute of God is important to understanding
context of some passages in scripture. This is also helpful to remember that
even when life is chaotic God is still in control and can use this chaos
for an ultimately good thing. Keeping this in mind it can answer some
concerns and questions that may arise. Such as, did Abraham and Moses
change Gods mind? Well, when applying this approach this answer is no.
For if the destruction of a people was God’s plan, he would have done it.
So, what else could it be? God did not plan to destroy them; his plan was
the intercession. Which ties together the approach to scripture for the first
quote with this one. Understanding the entirety of God’s word and with the
revelation of the New Testament shows that God was the main character.
These intercessions where representative of what Jesus would ultimately do for
us. Where he interceded on our behalf and saved us from the just punishment
for our sins. Focusing back to working on our thoughtful approach to
scripture, that everything is going to God’s plan, before the New Testament
was written the Jews of the Old Testament would not have had the
knowledge of how these things represent Christ yet it was true during that
time as it is today that it was part of God’s plan.
• “Genesis, which means “beginnings,” is the beginning of the story
of the Bible and can be divided into two sections: chapters 1–11
and 12–50.” (Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 9)
This explains and defines the first book of the bible, Genesis. As stated in
the quote above, Genesis begins God’s story through the bible and begins
with the very beginning, the creation of the universe. I do find it interesting
how the authors broke up Genesis, from overall descriptive history from the
founding of the patriarch.
• “The Old Testament represents thousands of years of history. By
way of contrast, the New Testament represents fewer than 100
years.” (Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 14)
While this is a statement of fact of the duration of which the Old and
New Testament where written and brought together, it is an interesting fact
to ponder about. The Old Testament provides the foundation of which the
rest is built upon. Such as, the creation account, the founding of the
patriarchy, and the various things the Jewish people had to go through. In
totality is a long-drawn-out symbolic picture of Christ and the patience of his
time. Although it spans over thousands of years it describes Jesus. In contrast
to the New Testament where it is literally about Christ. The Old Testament
is a buildup of God’s plan whereas The New Testament is the fulfillment
of that plan.
• “Understanding these different genres is critical to good Bible study.”
(Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 18)
How important understanding the different genres of scripture really is. It is
sad that some individuals seem to miss this point and I have heard them
use words from a poetic context to justify a flawed understanding in a
historical or other context. I agree it is critical that we understand the genres
of different scripture, as it helps build a whole picture and not just an
isolated understanding of a sentence or phrase. I do hope that more
individuals would do this in their bible study. It would go a long way to
prevent incorrect doctrine.
• “Each of the four accounts was written by a different author for
different audiences. Therefore, there is value in studying each account
by itself.” (Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 19)
The fact that all four gospels were written by four different authors is great
for not only getting different perspectives of the events that took place but
also for evaluating the truth claims with in it. As the gospels are not word
for word copies yet give similar descriptions that are in that particulars
authors own perspective and voice gives validity to the truthfulness of the
Gospel. J. Warner Wallace goes into detail in his book Cold Case Christianity
on this subject. Each of the gospel writings hone in on different subjects of
the events that occurred, usually giving greater detailed descriptions on the
subject that they are focusing on.
• “There are some common mistakes that readers of the Old Testament
make. The first mistake is to approach the stories as primarily about
us in the twenty-first century.” (Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 23)
I agree with this approach. We can miss the true meaning of what was
said or the significance when glossing over the cultural and historical meaning
of the phrases or words. As well as not all things translate the same from
one language or culture to another very well. Taking the time to study and
approach scripture with understanding to the audience for who it was intended
is important.
• “Have you ever heard someone speaking of the Old Testament law
in a dismissive way as if it has no bearing on the New Testament
Christian?” (Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 24)
I have heard that we are no longer under the Old Testament law from
some, but there are some that believe we are still under it. Jesus says in
Matthew 5:17 ESV “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or
the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” While
it is true we are not under the Old covenant and Jesus has fulfilled the
law, but we are now a part of the new covenant and the law is written
on our hearts, or as some may put it the moral law which is true for all
people at all times. Supporting scripture would be Hebrews 10:16, which is
quoting Jeremiah 31:33.
• “This false perspective fits well in our contemporary culture with its
philosophy that a person is the master of his or her own destiny.”
(Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 29)
This quote is referring to viewing the bible as a personal road map through
life. This idea I believe ties into a previous made point about viewing
scripture with a “life verse” mentality. I do agree with the point that the
authors are making and deeply believe it is important and good to seek the
theology behind the story. I would also add that we should also be mindful
to not create theology out of a story taken out of context.
• “One who has embraced this perspective will often limit the Bible
in status to a handbook, guidebook, or instruction manual.”
(Cartwright, and Hulshof, 2019 p. 30)
This quote is referring to individuals who see the bible as a rules and
regulation guide. Although, there are indeed guidelines and suggestions of how
we as Christians should act but that is not the whole or the main point of
scripture. There should be a balanced approach that requires a contextual
understanding of what is being read. It is best to go with no preconceived
notions and let the bible speak for itself, but this is easier said than done,
since all of us have internal biases. We should do are best to minimize
them as we approach scripture.
"We dream, hope, and strategize only to be caught off guard by something
we did not foresee happening. As a result, we move to plan B or plan C
as a way to accomplish only a fraction of what we had originally intended.
Our failure to execute our plan stretches our minds to consider a God who
is sovereign over the affairs of his creation." (Cartwright, Hulshof p. 4)
This part of the reading holds true to me. Most recently, even attending
Liberty University was not part of my plan A, B or C, much less X, Y
or Z. I believe that God has a plan for me. Currently this was the
next indicated step and I have faith that wherever it may lead God knows
the plan. If that plan changes, all I can do is to follow the next indicated
step!
"In fact, the more we attempt to save ourselves, the worse we make things.
This is because our self-rescue efforts highlight our belief that we are strong
enough, smart enough, and self-sufficient enough to fix the error of our ways.
However, God’s plan reveals that the help we need must come from outside
of ourselves rather than from inside of ourselves. If our rescue is to be
successful, God will need to do the rescuing." (Cartwright, Hulshof p.4-5)
I can personally relate to this part of the reading on another level. I am
in a recovery program and I tried so many different ways to do it myself.
I was smarter than everyone else, and I jjust knew that I could handle it
by myself. It wasn't until I completely surrendered and allowed God to take
control of my life that I was able to beat what i was struggling with for
so many years. yy God did rescue me and it was and is truly a miracle.
"The Old Testament represents thousands of years of history. By way of
contrast, the New Testament represents fewer than 100 years." (Cartwright,
Hulshof p.14)
I found this fascinating. yy In a way I never really thought about how long
it took for the Bible to be written. yy I always assumed that both the New
and Old testament took roughly the same amount of time, especially because
the New Testament apply's to us today slightly more so than the Old
Testament.
"Christ’s visible authority to heal the sick validates his invisible authority to
forgive sins. In other words, Christ’s miracles were first about his identity,
not his ability." (Cartwright, Hulshof p. 19)
I have never looked at the miracles that Jesus preformed while on earth
from the prospective of His authority to forgive our sins. I have always
thought that it was His way of proving to the world that he was in fact
the Son of God. This will stick with me and I am excited to go back
when reading the Bible understanding this. yy
"Those who study a New Testament passage need to identify its category of
genre. A correct understanding of each genre helps set expectations for how
a passage should be interpreted. Genre, then, becomes one of multiple aids
to properly understanding the meaning of a biblical text." (Cartwright, Hulshof
p. 22)
Again, this is something new that I have learned, a new prospective. I
have, for the most part always seen the Bible as a chronological book,
basically one story written by God. It opened my eyes on a new way to
study the Bible. I liked the analogy with sports and how I can't play
basketball wearing ice skates. I learned that it might be better to study the
different genre's instead of the Bible as one story.
"Finally, ask yourself how the principles in the story can appropriately apply
to you." yy (Cartwright, Hulshof p. 22)
I have learned something interesting about this over the past few years. For
example, I can read the same principles ten different times over a year. yy I
will get something different out of the same reading every time based on
what is currently going on in my life. Sometimes I may get direction,
sometimes it may be hope and sometimes I may not get anything.
"Whereas the rest of the Bible is often appropriately described as God’s Word
to us, the Psalms are really written to God." (Cartwright, Hulshof p. 24)
I did not know that the book of Psalms was written to God. I have
always thought the entire Bible was written to us. In a way though, I
believe that Psalms could still be looked at as written to us. What I mean
by that is it can teach us how to sing praise to God.
"We should not be afraid of being honest with God. Not only does he
already know how we feel, but also it is through these moments of emotional
honesty that God can use the Psalms in our lives." (Cartwright, Hulshof p.
26)
It took me many years to learn to be 100% honest with God. I knew
that God know me inside and out, including my thoughts, however many
times I often thought if I quickly changed my thoughts, or just avoided the
topic while talking with God that I might be able to trick Him. I have
learned that it is much easier to be honest with God. For me, that started
by being honest with myself.
"Given that the Psalms were written as poetry set to music, they engage the
emotions of the heart just as art has the capacity to do today. However,
they are also the Word of God, and therefore the truths they express are
vital. As a matter of fact, truths expressed while engaging the emotions can
have a deep effect on the heart and mind." (Cartwright, Hulshof p. 25)
I could not agree with this more. yy I am not the biggest music person, it
is often just background noise to me. yy However, when I am in church and
the worship team has a good song, I often find my emotions and love for
God on another level. For me, that can be hard to achieve when I am
by myself with God. I feel very close to God while worshiping Him with
song.
1) “The Bible is God’s story. Rightly taking this approach to scripture will
place us in an appropriate relationship to the text” (Cartwright et al. 3).
When I read this quote, it dawned on me that when reading the Word of
God, I should not read the scriptures to find pieces of myself to identify
with, but I should read it so that I may understand the heart of God. As
followers of Christ, God’s words help guide us in our personal journey. We
must meditate on God’s word to have a true relationship with God.
2) “We are not the principle or even supporting characters in the Bible. This
is one of the dangers of adopting “life verse” mentality regarding the biblical
text. When we do this, we replace the centrality of God in his own story
with our own motives, desires, or plans” (Cartwright et al. 3).
Reading scriptures like “Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no
harm” (Psalm 15 KJV) has been used so many times to place ourselves on
a spiritual pedestal so that our own manipulative ways and plans can be
carried out. This quote helped me to realize that every scripture in the Bible
is about the story of God and when we place ourselves the main characters
into God’s story, we misuse the Bible to fit our own motives. We must
not miss out on the meaning and the intention of God’s story.
3) “When you correctly understand the genre of a book or passage, your
expectations or strategy for interpretations are better framed” (Cartwright et al.
18).
Studying scripture can sometimes become overwhelming and confusing to view
and grouping certain chapters together according to certain genres can help
people decipher the importance of every chapter and every verse. I know that
the Bible consists of poetry, laws, prophecies, wisdom, and other genres. When
one has an understanding of the intended audience of a scripture and it’s
genre, we can better contextualize how that passage fits into the Bible as a
whole.
4) “Christ visible authority to heal the sick validates his invisible authority
to forgive sins. In other words, Christ miracles were first about his identity
not his ability” (Cartwright et al. 19).
Turning water into wine, casting out demons and raising the dead can really
grab your attention when studying the Word but to grasp who Christ is
which is our redeemer, our mediator, and our source should always be at
the forefront of our minds. Christ’s ability to perform should never supersede
that. I realize that Christ’s miracles were not about His ability but more
about allowing non-believers to know the truth witness who He claimed to
be. It was not his works we should focus on but Christ realizing that his
works was a manifestation of believing He was the Son of God.
5) “When we see the Bible as a book of instructions or rules, we downplay
the Power of the law, and we overestimate our ability to keep it in a way
that will please God” (Cartwright et al. 30).
When reading the Bible, I should not read it as if I have options other
what is written. People tend to bend the rules when they feel that certain
things can be done multiple ways. When one thinks this way, it can move
one out of the will of God. When we take up God’s Word and read it
as a book of instructions, rules, and commands that are necessary to follow,
be accepted or loved by God, we are asserting that, as great as Christ’s
work was, we can keep the directives of God in a satisfactory manner. This
diminishes Christ’s power.
6) “The rules, commands and instructions found on the pages of scripture,
show us how crucial Christ truly is. He is necessary because we are
incapable of the kind of obedience God requires” (Cartwright et al. 31).
Having a true authentic relationship with Christ helps us to center ourselves
and it also keeps us in a certain posture that requires us too consistently
towards him for direction and revelation. This statement reflects the Christian
belief that Christ is essential for our salvation because we are unable to
fulfill God's requirements on our own. The rules and instructions found in
scripture serve as a reminder of our inability to live up to God's standards,
and our need for a savior who can bridge the gap between us and God.
Without Christ we will fail.
7) “Mere human beings are not the focal point of scripture. The focal point
is Jesus Christ. Each story points to him and how God accomplished our
redemption through him” (Cartwright et al. 31).
Famous stories from the Bible such as the story of Noah and the Ark and
how God saved his family, or the story of King Hezekiah who was given
an additional 15yrs to live after the Prophet Isaiah had given him a Word
from God that he would die, all points back to the redeeming nature of
God and his grace.
8) “Christ perfect life is the antidote for the weight of the law and the
commands of God” (Cartwright et al. 31).
Antidote is defined as a medicine taken or given to counteract a poison
(Oxford Language). To describe Gods life in this way should pull us closer
to him and helps us to realize that for us to live a life that is pleasing
to him, a life of joy, peace, and prosperity we must take Gods antidote
daily to fight against the poison of the enemy.
9) “Part of the Grace found in the Gospel message is that we receive the
benefits of having followed the commands of God even though we fail to
do so every day” (Cartwright et al. 31).
God's grace is truly sufficient! Although there are daily requirements that God
expects from us, he still loves us enough to show patience and mercy. He
is constituently giving us an opportunity to get it right. The idea is rooted
in the Christian belief that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be
earned through good works alone. Instead, it is obtained through faith in
Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.
10) “This false perspective fits us well in our contemporary culture with its
philosophy that a person is the master of his or her own destiny. However,
the Bible is not primarily a book about the path I must choose to follow
in order to successfully navigate this life. Instead, the Bible tells us the
path God chose to redeem humanity” (Cartwright et al. 29).
Sometimes I study the scripture to find my life hidden in the pages so that
I can identify with what the text is saying but that requires me to see
things through a worldly and imperfect lens. But when reading the Word, I
understand that I should focus on His Agape love, His grace and desire to
reposition my relationship with Him. The word of God contains much deeper
and life-sustaining truths that last a lifetime. It is not about choosing a path,
but choosing and believing Christ’s story so that my identity and my truth
is revealed through Him.
1. 1 Cor 15:1–4: “Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters,
the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken
your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message
I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as
most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according
to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures.”
This quote just state to me and tells me what God propose to us. Informing
us that if you listen to him he will be right there to save us. In whatever
we believe he will always stand with us. He wants to prepare for everything
in life and explain to us on why he died for us.
2. “In him we have redemption through his blood” (Eph 1:7).
This quote tell us that no matter what God know that we aren’t perfect. If
we do come onto him with sins he can forgive us. We all can be save
by him.
3. John 17: 9-10 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world
but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine
are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
This love this quote. Nothing is forced it should come natural. Being that
with open arms you will be accepted but if you done seek, you will not
get looked for.
4. Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it,
and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the
heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
My favorite part of reading the Bible will always be Genesis. Genesis gives
you the beginning of life. This quote goes to show that every living thing
to be fulfilled there should abundances.
5. Genesis 24:4 “But will go to my country and to my kindred, and take
a wife for my son Isaac.”
This quote make me question why did God want a wife for his son? Why
was this being forced upon? This goes to always question why was it that
marriage was the first thing instead of dating?
6. Biblical redemption refers to the act of God by which he Himself paid
as a ransom the price for our sin.”
This right here goes to show that for every sin we committed God was
paying for it. Yet you can still come onto him and he will have his open
arms not taking any consideration on the Sin that was committed.
7. Gal 4:7 “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son,
then an heir through God.”
This quote sticks out to me because here it is were God state that all his
men were equal. But what’s a little confusing is why were men salves for
such a long time?
8. Luke 15:2 “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
To my understanding the reason why he was a sinner was because he lost
sheep? Who punished the man? And was this something viable to to God?
9. Mark 2: 8-11 “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say,
‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the
Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—
11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”
This quoted goes to show that no matter the sin, if you are forgiving in
the eyes of God there shouldn’t be no worry. I do believe depending on
the sin you tend to question yourself will I be forgiving.
10. Roman 13:9-10 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The best quote in my opinion. This quote can be easily looked over by
many people. I whole heartedly believe that you should love and treat
everyone as you treat yourself. yy This can go a long way for many people
that doesn’t or haven’t received that love. Be the change and love everyone.
God’s plan is to fix what was broken when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s
instructions. His plan is to rescue, redeem, and restore all that was lost
through this rebellious act. When we read the Bible, we are not reading a
recap of a supreme being who is making it up on the fly. Instead, we are
reading the plan of God as he works his will out in the lives of the
numerous characters of the Bible. Each word of God's plan is designed to
move it forward in a way that glorifies Him and points to Christ. First,
God's whole point of having a plan was for us to depend on him, for our
self-effort attempts will make things much worse and highlights our belief of
how strong, smart, and self-sufficient enough to fix the trials that comes our
way. Second, the plan of God is to redeem the lost. In Ephesians, Paul
wrote, “in him we have redemption through his blood” (Eph 1:7). Paul has
articulated our need and the accomplishment that meets this need. All have
sinned and are in need of redemption. This redemption can only be
accomplished through the blood—the sacrificial death—of Jesus Christ. Third,
God’s plan goes beyond rescuing and redeeming. His desire is to restore the
relationship and fellowship he had with human beings in the garden of Eden.
He does not rescue and redeem us simply to leave us on our own. He is
not simply saving us, setting us free, and then begrudgingly accepting us.
Instead, he has purposefully set in motion a plan to restore the bond he
had with his children before it was severed through sin.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian FaithLinks to an external site., ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez,
2nd edition., Everyday Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 5.
2. During which Old Testament book did the events of Job most likely take
place?
The events of Job is believed to have took place between Genesis and
Exodus as a convenient place to put in near the Patriarchal period. Job has
become one of the most famous books of the Bible due to its focus on
the sufferings of a righteous man.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian FaithLinks to an external site., ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez,
2nd edition., Everyday Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 9.
3. Which two books serve as a parallel to the book of Kings?
The two books that serve as a parallel to the book of Kings are 1 & 2
Chronicles, the only thing is that 2 Chronicles focuses exclusively on the
kingdom of Judah.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian Faith, ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday
Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 13.
4. Which is the only anonymous letter in the New Testament?
The only anonymous letter in the New Testament is The Epistles of Hebrews.
This is then followed by the letter of Jude, another half brother of Jesus,
that addresses false teaching, and four more books from the New Testament
were all written by the apostle John: 1,2, and 3 John and Revelation.
5. Revelation is a combination of which 3 genre categories?
Revelation is a combination of letter, prophecy, and apocalyptic. Revelations is
prophetic in other words, Revelation predicts future events. It is also is
apocalyptic. Generally speaking, apocalyptic literature provides a vision of events
concerning the end of the world. In other words, not only does Revelation
predict future events (prophecy), but these particular prophecies deal particularly
with the end of world history. Revelation is not merely a pronouncement of
the end of the world.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian Faith, ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday
Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 21.
6. yy Which genre of the New Testament is unique to the Bible?
The book of Acts is considered a unique genre of the New Testament. This
book is part two of a two volume composition by Luke - the Gospel of
Luke being part one. While Christ is the central figure of the Gospel of
Luke, the Holy Spirit is the central figure of Acts.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian Faith, ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday
Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 22.
7. What are the five main genre categories of the Old Testament?
The five main genre categories of the Old Testament include: narrative, law,
prophets, psalms, and wisdom. Some of the books of the Old Testament, not
exclusively narrative include: Genesis, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2
Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Book that are partly narrative
include: Exodus, Numbers, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Job. The Old
Testament laws, found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy as well as parts of
Exodus and Numbers, were designed to assist in the establishment and
governance of two types of relationships: horizontal and vertical. Vertically, the
Old Testament law guided the people of Israel on the proper way to a
relationship with and worship of their God. Horizontally, the Old Testament
law governed the way people were to be in relationship with each other.
Psalms are sacred hymns and prayers. Psalms are really written to God,
making it stand as unique among the rest of the literary categories, making
it important to understand how to interpret and use them. The wisdom books
of the Old Testament are Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of
Solomon. Proverbs is often the poster boy of wisdom literature and will be
the focus of this section. The terms "Major" and "Minor" are a way of
dividing the longer prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel) from
the shorter prophetic books (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah,
Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). Its probably
more productive to categorize the prophetic books around the exile: preexilic
(Isaiah, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and
Zephaniah), exilic (Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel), and postexilic
(Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian Faith, ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday
Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 26–27.
8. What five books of the Old Testament are considered exclusively narrative?
The five books of the Old Testament that are considered exclusively narrative
include, Genesis, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles,
Ezra, and Nehemiah.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian Faith, ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday
Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 23.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian Faith, ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday
Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 24.
9. What is the Old Testament law primarily about?
The Old Testament law is primarily about relationships.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the
Christian Faith, ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday
Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019), 28.
10. How does viewing the Bible as a collection of role models affect our
understanding of the Scriptures?
It fails to properly identify the direction that each story in Scriptures is
pointing.
