The Bible: An Introduction
I. Session 01: Origins
A. Beginnings
1. Check out the videos for this Kerith Academy series on...
a. http://vimeo.com/album/1596061
2. English nursery rhymes
a. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
1) Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again
2) c 1800
3. Oral/Aural tradition
a. Genesis: the book of beginnings
b. Job: no law and no priesthood
B. Internal Evidence
1. Moses
a. God instructed Moses to write and rehearse
1) Then the LORD said to Moses,  Write this for a memorial in the book and Ex 17:14 NKJV
recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the
remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
b. The Old Covenant was a written document
1) So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the Ex 24:3 4 NKJV
judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said,  All the
words which the LORD has said we will do. And Moses wrote all the words
of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot
of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
c. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. Ex 24:7 NKJV
And they said,  All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.
d. more references to Moses recording events
1) Ex 34:27; Num 11:26; 33:2; Deut 17:18; 28:58, 61; 29:20 21, 27; 30:10;
31:9, 19, 22, 24; Josh 1:8
2. Joshua
a. the history of the conquest of Canaan
1) Then Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he Josh 24:26 NKJV
took a large stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the
sanctuary of the LORD.
3. Samuel
a. Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in 1 Sam 10:25
a book and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, NKJV
every man to his house.
4. Isaiah
a. Moreover the LORD said to me,  Take a large scroll, and write on it with a Is 8:1 NKJV
man's pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
C. Bible Genres
1. Narrative/Historical
a. Gen-Esther
b. Gospels-Acts
2. Law
a. pt Exodus, Leviticus, pt Numbers and Deuteronomy
3. Poetic/Wisdom
a. Wisdom
1) Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
b. Poetry
1) Psalms, Song of Solomon, Lamentations
4. Prophets/?
a. Major Prophets
1) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
b. Minor Prophets
1) Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
5. Didactic/Teaching
a. Epistles
b. All scripture given... for teaching
1) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, 2 Tim 3:16 ESV
for correction, and for training in righteousness,
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5. Didactic/Teaching
b. All scripture given... for teaching
1) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, 2 Tim 3:16 ESV
for correction, and for training in righteousness,
6. Apocalyptic
a. Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Revelation
D. Jewish Genres
1. Another division of the OT writings
a. And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Luke 24:27 NKJV
Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
b. Then He said to them,  These are the words which I spoke to you while I was Luke 24:44 NKJV
still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of
Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.
1) Moses
(a) Genesis - Deuteronomy
2) Prophets
(a) Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
(b) the Twelve: Hosea through to Malachi
3) Writings
(a) Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song, Ruth, Lamentation, Ecclesiastes, Esther,
Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, 1&2 Chronicles
2. One darn thing after another?
a. Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings???
b. the Bible is not a simple history
1) it is a unique God's eye view of signigicant people and events
2) it is not a 'world-history' of Jews and Gentiles
3) 'written for us'?
(a) Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were 1 Cor 10:11
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. NKJV
E. Reading assignment
1. Following the Seed: Sessions 1-2
F. Thinking assignment
1. think of a friend
2. think of something that has captured your interest today
a. in the session
b. or in the reading assignment.
3. Write a brief paragraph to explain it to your friend
G. For further reading
1. The Books and the Parchments: FF Bruce
2. The Spreading Flame: FF Bruce
II. Session 02: Authority
A. The Foundations of Faith
1. Epistemology?!?
a. why do we believe what we do believe?
1) What is knowledge?
2) How is knowledge acquired?
3) How do we know what we know?
b. the early Christians were called 'believers' or 'disciples'
1) they were not 'philosophers'
2) they were not 'academics'
2. Authority
a. Patterns of our lives depend on 'authority'
1) Government
2) Science
3) Spiritual - what is the ultimate authority?
(a) Tradition -DNA
(b) Personal Experience
(c) The Bible
(d) The Church
3. Genuine Faith
a. definition: "faith is right response to revelation"
B. The Old Testament
1. The Priests were the guardians of a revelation
a.  The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are Deut 29:29 NKJV
revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the
words of this law.
1) revelation brings responsibility
b.  For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the Mal 2:7 NKJV
law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
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B. The Old Testament
1. The Priests were the guardians of a revelation
a.  The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are Deut 29:29 NKJV
revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the
words of this law.
1) revelation brings responsibility
b.  For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the Mal 2:7 NKJV
law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
1) the priests failed in their 'responsibility'
2. Kings had their own 'Bible'
a.  Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall Deut 17:18 20
write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, NKJV
the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life,
that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the
words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his
brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand
or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his
children in the midst of Israel.
1) a king was required
(a) to have his own copy of the law
(b) in his own handwriting
(c) to read in daily
(d) to govern according to its revelation
3. No division between 'church' and 'state'
a. every crime was a sin
b. every sin was a crime.
4. Christ honoured the scriptures
a. Matthew's gospel 'that it might be fulfilled...'
b. the New Testament is built on the 'assumption' that the Old Testament is
authorative
c. the 'final court' of New Testament is 'the Old Testament says...'
d. Christians believe the Old Testament has divine authority because Jesus
believed it so.
e. He looked backwards over the Old Testament and added his 'Amen' to them
f. He also looked forward to the New Testament and added his 'Amen' to them
C. The New Testament
1. The Promise of Inspiration
a. the Promise of the Spirit to remember the past
1) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He John 14:26
will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I NKJV
said to you.
(a) the gospels of Matthew and John are a direct fulfillment of this
(b) Mark may really be 'the gospel according to Peter'
(c) Luke's gospel is the work of a scientist and historian
i. Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of Luke 1:1 4 NKJV
those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who
from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word
delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect
understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly
account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of
those things in which you were instructed.
ii. Luke was a working partner with Paul
b. The Promise of the Spirit to lead into 'new' truth
1)  I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. John 16:12 15
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all NKJV
truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He
will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will
take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are
Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
2. Apostolic authority
a. the promises of John fulfilled through the apostles and their partners
b. a chain of authority revealed in the New Testament
1) and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation as also our 2 Pet 3:15 16
beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to NKJV
you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which
are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people
twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
(a) Peter endorses Paul's writing of scripture
2) For the Scripture says,  You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the 1 Tim 5:18 NKJV
grain, and,  The laborer is worthy of his wages.
(a) but this is part of the gospel later recorded by Luke
i. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as Luke 10:7 NKJV
they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house
to house.
D. The Councils
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2. Apostolic authority
b. a chain of authority revealed in the New Testament
2) For the Scripture says,  You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the 1 Tim 5:18 NKJV
grain, and,  The laborer is worthy of his wages.
(a) but this is part of the gospel later recorded by Luke
i. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as Luke 10:7 NKJV
they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house
to house.
D. The Councils
1. The Seven Ecumenical Councils
a. 325 AD 1st Council of Nicea:
b. 381 AD 1st Council of Constantinople
c. 431 AD Council of Ephesus
d. 449 AD 2nd Council of Ephesus
e. 451 AD Council of Chalcedon
f. 553 AD 2nd Council of Constantinople
g. 680 AD 3rd Council of Constantinople
h. 787 AD 2nd Council of Nicea
i. The Seven Ecumenical Councils - wikipedia
2. The Impact of the 1st Council of Nicea
a. the authority behind this council was the Emperor Constantine
1) some question whether he was truly converted
2) what is certain is that 'Constantine converted Christianity' into a state
religion
b. Da Vinci code says "this council selected the 'orthodox' gospels and new
testament writings"
c. Muslims say "this was when the 'torah' and the 'injil' were corrupted.
E. Authority and the Canon of Scripture - video
1. History
a. from Judas to Da Vinci Video
b. The Nature of the Evidence
1) The originals (aka the autographs) were written c45-99AD
(a) the style and the language points to these dates
(b) 'The interval then between the data of original. composition and the
earliest extant evidence become so small to be in fact negligible, and
the last foundation for any doubt that the Scripture have come down to
us substantially as they were written has now been removed. Both the
authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament
may be regarded as finally established.' Sir Frederic Kenyon
2) the Gnostic gospels eg The Gospel of Judas were written 170-350 AD
(a) no-one believes these are historical
(b) they were an attempt to pervert Christianity to Gnosticism
3) Constantine, the 'Christian' emperor called the Council of Nicea in 325 AD
4) The Apostolic Fathers c70-135 AD
(a) really the 'post' apostolic leaders
1. Clement of Rome c95 AD
2. Ignatius of Antioch c107-108
3. Polycarp of Ephesus c108
(b) These early fathers, who lived between 70-150 AD, were Greek
speaking men and, with the possible exception of the books of Philemon
and III John, quoted from every book of the New Testament.
5) Primary Sources
(a) a primary source is "any piece of information that was created at the
time being studied, by the people being studied."
(b) the NT documents are an authentic link to primary sources
(c) living eye-witnesses would not have accepted fictionious gospels and
letters
(d) no motives for early Christians to 'invent' the gospel
(e) truth was a prime virtue among this community
(f) when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians many eye-witnesses were still alive
2. Inspiration and the Canon
a. The Scriptures were the Jews' greatest treasure
1) Jewish division of scripture into Moses, Prophets and Psalms
2) the same 39 books as in our Old Testament
3) In the 1st century 'the scriptures' meant the Old Testament
b. Jewish veneration of the 'scriptures'
1) they preserved and copied their scriptures with meticulous care
2) they believed in 'verbal inspiration'
(a) the words in scripture were God's words
(b) jots and tittles Matt 5:18
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2. Inspiration and the Canon
b. Jewish veneration of the 'scriptures'
2) they believed in 'verbal inspiration'
(b) jots and tittles Matt 5:18
i.
(c) their 'scriptures' had been 'complete' for over 400 years
3) Now new 'scriptures' were added to the old 'scriptures'
(a) they know regarded the 'new' scriptures as authentic, like the old
(b) and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation as also our 2 Pet 3:15 16
beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written NKJV
to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in
which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable
people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the
Scriptures.
i. Paul's writings are 'scripture'!!
ii. 'the scripture' is an integrated unit of revelation truth
c. Canon (not cannon) is a rule or standard
1) why do we have these books are not others?
(a) the decision was not made by council of bishops
(b) but by a consensus; the saints knew these books were 'scripture'
(c) The Gospel
i. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
ii. The Apostle
1) the writings of Paul
2) FF Bruce: the New Testament Documents - are they reliable
(a) One thing must be emphatically stated. The New Testament books did
not become authoritative for the Church because they were formally
included in a canonical list; on the contrary, the Church included them in
her canon because she already regarded them as divinely inspired,
recognising their innate worth and generally apostolic authority, direct or
indirect. The first ecclesiastical councils to classify the canonical books
were both held in North Africa-at Hippo Regius in 393 and at Carthage
in 397-but what these councils did was not to impose something new
upon the Christian communities but to codify what was already the
general practice of those communities.
F. Home assignment
1. Following the Seed: Sessions 3-6
G. Thinking assignment
1. think of a friend
2. think of something that has captured your interest today
a. in the session
b. or in the reading assignment.
3. Write a brief paragraph to explain it to your friend
H. For further reading
1. The New Testament Documents - are they reliable? FF Bruce
a. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286587/Kerith%20Academy/bruce_ntdocs.pdf
2. The Books and the Parchments: FF Bruce
3. The Spreading Flame: FFBruce
4. The Apostolic Fathers: Michael Holmes
5. Apostolic Fathers' quotes from the New Testament
a. http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/bible/Doctrines/TheWord/
ECFQuotesNT.htm
III. Session 03: History
A. Bible Genres
1. History
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III. Session 03: History
A. Bible Genres
1. History
a. Gen - Esther
b. Gospels - Acts
2. Prophetic
3. Poetry and Wisdom
4. Gospel
5. Epistle
6. Revelation
B. The Purpose of the Bible
1. Who is the Bible written for?
a. Covenants and Testaments
1) chart to illustrate where Old Covenant really begins
2) chart to illustrate where the New Covenant really begins
(a) New Covenant present in Christ
(b) New Covenant in force from Acts 2
b. Covenant Writings
1) OT broadly for the Old Covenant people
(a) the Sinai Covenant the 'backdrop' to the Old Testament
2) NT broadly for the New Covenant people
(a) The New Covenant is the 'backdrop' to the New Testament
2. What was it written for?
a. God's self revelation
1) in Words
2) in Action
(a) God has revealed his nature in the things he has done
i. doing wonders
ii.  Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You,
glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Ex 15:11
NKJV
(b) The 'narratives/history' are a selection
i. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they
were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25 NKJV
ii. And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples,
which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you
may have life in His name. John 20:30 31 NKJV
1) the underlying principal of selection
b. Not written as an evangelistic tool
1) to support, admonish and encourage the 'witnesses'
(a) it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most
excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in
which you were instructed. Luke 1:3 4 NKJV
i. Israel; the authentic 'Jehovah's Witnesses'
(the 'door-knockers' are fake 'Jehovah's Witnesses')
1) Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have
chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I
am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be
after me. Is 43:10 ASV
2) in English Bible 'LORD' in upper case means 'Jehovah' is the
original word in the OT
only 4 times in the KJV; Ex 6:3; Psa 83:18; Is 12:2; 26:4
but 6777 times in the ASV
never in the ESV
I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another,
neither my praise unto graven images. Is 42:8 ASV
I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my
praise to carved idols. Is 42:8 ESV
'Lord' is not really a name but a title.
3) Israel's story was a revelation of who Jehovah is
and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God
Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them. Ex 6:3 ASV
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring
you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of
their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with
great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to
you a God; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who bringeth
you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in
unto the land which I sware to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob;
and I will give it you for a heritage: I am Jehovah. Ex 6:6 8 ASV
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3) Israel's story was a revelation of who Jehovah is
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring
you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of
their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with
great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to
you a God; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who bringeth
you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in
unto the land which I sware to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob;
and I will give it you for a heritage: I am Jehovah. Ex 6:6 8 ASV
seven greate 'I will-s' of Jehovah
Israel was to be a visual aid of who God was and what he was like
ii. the Church; the authentic 'Jesus' Witnesses'
1) And He said to them,  It is not for you to know times or seasons
which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the end of the earth. Acts 1:7 8 NKJV
C. History
1. Secular History and Biblical Accuracy
a. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence
b. History is written by the conquerors
2. Linear v Topical History
a. Herodotus
1) his history constantly loops back on itself and shoots off at tangents
2) narrative with a purpose
3) ancient history was always told like this
b. Paul's testimony
1) compare the narratives...
(a) Acts 8, 22, 26
(b) different details
2) we always 'shape' our testimony to our audience
3. proleptic (prolepsis)
a. Speaking of something future as though already done or existing.
1) The Romans marched east past Bracknell and Reading...
(a) but neither place existed for the Romans
b. eg two references to 'Bethel' in the narrative of Abraham - Gen 12:8; 13:3
c. but Bethel was given its name until the time of Jacob
1) And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had
been Luz previously. Gen 28:19 NKJV
d. these are not inaccuracies but patterns of language
4. Good will
a. if generally dependable... we should give the benefit of the doubt
5. Archaeology
a. always consistent with the Bible narrative 'atmosphere'
D. Three Levels of Narrative of the Old Testament(Gordon D Fee)
1. Top Level
a. salvation history: the unfolding of drama of salvation
b. mankind's history
1) seen in mankind's creation
2) the entry of sin into the human race
3) the need for redemption
4) Christ 'to the rescue'
(a) incarnation
(b) sacrificial death
(c) resurrection
(d) ascension
(e) return
2. Middle Level
a. Seen in the 'story' of Israel
b. the call of Abraham
c. the people of Israel
1) bondage and deliverance
2) Exodus-Deut
(a) the Sinai/Old Covenant established
3) Joshua, Judges etc
(a) the conquest and possession of the land of Israel
4) their failure to keep the covenant
5) God's patient endurance and faithfulness
6) the judgment of exile to Assyria and Babylon
7) the Restoration
3. Bottom level
a. hundreds of individual 'narratives'
1) Jacob and Esau
2) Joseph and the other sons of Jacbob/Israel
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3. Bottom level
a. hundreds of individual 'narratives'
1) Jacob and Esau
2) Joseph and the other sons of Jacbob/Israel
4. Remember
a. every the bottom level is part of the 'middle narrative'
1) the individual stories are part of the national story
b. every 'middle narrative' is part of the 'top level narrative'
1) the national story is part of the world story
5. True also of the New Testament
a. but we will leave this until we come to 'The Gospel' genre
E. Hermeneutics - Interpretation
1. History in the Bible is the record of 'His-Story'
2. 'God' is the 'hero' of this story
a. And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all
the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27 NKJV
3. Basic Rules for Interpretation
a. Narratives give us general ideas about God and the way he works
1) they do not 'approve' what is recorded
(a) eg David's adultery
(b) they do not change what God has already revealed
2) Acculmulative
(a) progressive revelation
(b) we 'know' God better as the narrative continues
3) They are not 'allegories' but...
(a) stories only told for their hidden meanings
(b) there are patterns and illustrations and types in the stories
4) typology in scripture
(a) beware the extremes of
i. stuffy rationalism
1) there are types and figures in the Bible
2) who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses
was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle.
For He said,  See that you make all things according to the pattern
shown you on the mountain. Heb 8:5 NKJV
3) For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not
the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices,
which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach
perfect. Heb 10:1 NKJV
4) shadows: gives the outer shape, two dimensional
5) types: patterns, gives the outer shape, two dimensional
ii. and far fetched ideas
1) eg the cuckoo is an unclean bird because it is always saying 'do,
do, do' - an extreme Calvinist position quoted by Spurgeon.
(b) don't be afraid of seeing patterns
(c) types are illustrations not foundations
i. windows: good for letting in the light but not as foundations (Spurgeon)
4. The Acts of the Apostles
a. Why did Luke write the Acts
1) a manual for church life?
2) a history of Christianity's expansion?
(a) The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began
both to do and teach, Acts 1:1 NKJV
i. Acts charts the progress of Christ's work through the Spirit
ii. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 NKJV
(b) Notice these 'progress checks'
i. Acts 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:4; 19:20
3) Is Acts 'normative' for church life?
(a) does 'church life' have to be 'the same as' the Acts
(b) or does 'church life' have to be 'consistent' with the Acts
5. Gordon D Fee; How to read the Bible for all it is worth.
a. "Narratives are precious to us because the so vividly demonstrate God's
involvement in the world and illustrate his principles and calling. They thus
teach us a lot - but what they directly teach us does not systematically include
personal ethics. For that area of life, we must turn elsewhere in the
Scriptures, to the various places where personal ethics are actually taught
categorically and explicitly." p93
F. Home assignment
1. Following the Seed: Sessions 7-9
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F. Home assignment
1. Following the Seed: Sessions 7-9
2. Pick one 'topic' which interests you and write a paragraph explaining it to a friend
a. either from Following the Seed or from today's two sessions
G. Additional Reading
1. Gordon D Fee
a. How to read the Bible for all it is worth
2. Halley's Bible Handbook
3. FF Bruce
a. Israel and the Nations
IV. Session 04: Prophets
A. Bible Genres
1. History
a. Gen - Esther
b. Gospels - Acts
2. Prophetic: about 400 years
a. The Major Prophets
1) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
b. The Minor Prophets
1) Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
c. Prophecy in the Gospels
d. Prophecy in the Epistles
e. Prophecy in the Revelation
3. Poetry and Wisdom
4. Gospel
5. Epistle
6. Revelation
B. The Purpose of the Bible Prophecy
1. The Pattern
a. Priests: to guard and teach the revelation
b. Prophets: to draw attention to God's current word
c. The division of responsibility
1) The hidden things belong to Jehovah our God; but the revealed ones are
ours and our children's for ever, to do all the words of this law. Deut 29:29
DRBY
(a) some things are 'hidden'
(b) some things are 'revealed'
(c) we are accountable for the 'revealed' things
2. Early Morning Call
a. Six-fold repetition in Jeremiah
1) Jer 11:7; 25:3 4; 35:14; 44:4
2) For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day I brought them up out of
the land of Egypt, until this day, rising early and exhorting, saying,  Obey
My voice. Jer 11:7 NKJV
(a) diligently: the ESV has 'persistently'. Not as graphic
b. 'wake up and smell the coffee'
3. An example of a prophet at work
a. ...the LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them,  Thus
says the LORD God of Israel: I brought you up from Egypt and brought you
out of the house of bondage; and I delivered you out of the hand of the
Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out
before you and gave you their land. Also I said to you,  I am the LORD your
God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But you
have not obeyed My voice.'  Judg 6:8 10 NKJV
1) the prophetic edge is in those last seven words:
C. Structure
1. the literary prophets
a. each book probably only a selection of the prophetic ministry of that man
b. a series of prophetic visions and burdens
c. often over a long period of time
1) Isaiah
d. sometimes over a much smaller period of time
1) Haggai and Zechariah
prophets
2)
2. Forms of Prophetic Words
a. Forensic/Law-court
1) Isaiah 3:13-26
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C. Structure
2. Forms of Prophetic Words
a. Forensic/Law-court
1) Isaiah 3:13-26
(a) Hos 3:3-17; 4:1-19
(b) many more
2) God is the 'plaintiff':
(a) the counsel for the prosecution
3) Israel
(a) is the defendent
b. The Woe
1) more like a groan
2) Is 3:9, 11; 5:8, 11, 18, 20 22; 6:5; 10:1; 17:12; 18:1; 24:16; 28:1; 29:1, 15;
30:1; 31:1; 33:1; 45:9 10; Jer 4:13, 31; 6:4; 10:19; 13:27; 15:10; 22:13;
23:1; 45:3; 48:1, 46; 50:27; Lam 5:16; Ezek 2:10; 13:3, 18; 16:23; 24:6, 9;
30:2; 34:2; Hos 7:13; 9:12; Amos 5:18; 6:1; Mic 2:1; 7:1; Nah 3:1; Hab 2:6,
9, 12, 15, 19; Zeph 2:5; 3:1; Zech 11:17
c. The Promise
1) 'in that day'
2) Amos 9:11 15; Hos 2:16 23; Is 45:1 7; Jer 31:1 9
D. The predictive element
1. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father
nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may
remember that I told you of them.  And these things I did not say to you at the
beginning, because I was with you. John 16:3 4 NKJV
a. when the time comes...
1) prophecy is frequently 'time-locked'
b. you may remember that I told you of them
1) to give the assurance that the world has not slipped from his grasp
2) all things are still under his control
3) the Book of the Revelation: God is still on the throne
2. A Timetable of Future events
a. was that the purpose of the prophetic?
b. the Revelation not designed as a puzzle for people with lots of time on their
hands
3. truth for another time
a. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who
prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what
manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He
testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
1 Pet 1:10 11 NKJV
4. Perspective and chronology
a. a two-dimensional picture may give the wrong impression
b. events may seem very close which are really wide apart
c.
E. Hermeneutics
1. Key Questions
a. What does it say?
b. What did it say to them?
c. What did it say to them that is applicable to me?
d. Does it say more?
2. Let's try it out
a.  When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. Hos
11:1 NKJV
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E. Hermeneutics
2. Let's try it out
a.  When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. Hos
11:1 NKJV
1) what is this referring to?
2) what would it say to the people of Hosea's day?
3) what does it say to them that is applicable to me?
4) Does it say more?
5) and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,  Out of Egypt I called My
Son. Matt 2:15 NKJV
(a) what does Hosea 11:1 mean now?
(b) Matthew has the right to do this
(c) we must be much more cautious
F. Home assignment
1. Following the Seed: Sessions 10-11
G. Additional Reading
1. Men spake from God: HL Ellison
2.
V. Session 05: Poetry & Wisdom
A. Bible Genres
1. History
a. Gen - Esther
b. Gospels - Acts
2. Prophetic: about 400 years
a. The Major Prophets
1) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
b. The Minor Prophets
1) Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
c. Prophecy in the Gospels
d. Prophecy in the Epistles
e. Prophecy in the Revelation
3. Poetry and Wisdom
a. Psalms, Prophets
b. Wisdom Books:
1) Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs?
2) some of the Psalms
4. Gospel
5. Epistle
6. Revelation
B. The Use of Art in Revelation
1. Poetry, Drama, Proverbs, Visions
2. What is a poem?
a. a piece of writing that partakes of the nature of both speech and song that is
nearly always rhythmical, usually metaphorical, and often exhibits such formal
elements as meter, rhyme, and stanzaic structure.
" something that arouses strong emotions because of its beauty : you make a
poem of riding downhill on your bike. Online Oxford Dictionary
b. It is artifact
1) an object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical
interest. Skill and time and planning and process have gone into a poem.
c. It is a 'work of art'
1) it includes work AND art
3. What does a poem do?
a. it can freeze a fleeting moment in time, and give you time to examine it
b. it touches emotion
c. it helps memorisation?!?
C. The Psalms
1. Five Books of Psalms
a. Book 1: 1-41; Book 2: 42-72; Book 3: 73-89, Book 4:90-106, Book 5:107-150
b. Wayne Grudem, "theology is meant to be lived and prayed and sung..."
c. The Hymn Book of the Old Testament
1) used in public and private
(a) Hannah's Hymn
i. 1 Sam 2:1 10
ii. is she quoting Psalm 113?
(b) Songs of Ascent
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C. The Psalms
1. Five Books of Psalms
c. The Hymn Book of the Old Testament
1) used in public and private
(a) Hannah's Hymn
ii. is she quoting Psalm 113?
(b) Songs of Ascent
2. Genres of Psalms
a. Hymns
1) Ps 103:1-2; 113:1; 92:1-4; 48:1-2
b. Lament
1) Ps 22:1-2; 42:5,11; 43:5
c. Thanksgiving
1) 34:1; 32:1
d. Confidence
1) Ps11, 16, 23, 27, 62, 91, 121, 125, 131
e. Remembrance
f. Wisdom
1) Ps 1, 119
g. Kingship
3. Authors & Titles
a. David, Asaph
1) Psa 3:0; 4:0; 5:0; 6:0; 8:0; 9:0; 11:0; 12:0; 13:0; 14:0; 15:0; 18:0; 19:0;
20:0; 21:0; 22:0; 23:0; 24:0; 25:0; 26:0; 27:0; 28:0; 29:0; 31:0; 32:0; 34:0;
35:0; 36:0; 37:0; 38:0; 39:0; 40:0; 41:0; 51:0; 52:0; 53:0; 54:0; 55:0; 61:0;
62:0; 63:0; 64:0; 69:0; 70:0; 101:0; 103:0; 108:0; 109:0; 110:0; 138:0;
139:0; 140:0; 141:0; 143:0; 144:0 - The Psalms of David, and perhaps
more
b. To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to
him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Psa 51:0 NKJV
1) this is part of the Psalm, not just added by a Bible translator
4. Using the Psalms
a. Worship and Praise
b. Honest prayer to God
c. Meditation/Reflection
D. Interpreting the Poems
1. Parallelism
a.  Say to the daughter of Zion,
Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.' Matt 21:5 ESV
1) is that two animals or one?
b. Not just saying the same thing twice
1) A`"B
(a) the older view that God does not repeat himself <1750
2) not A=B
(a) The 'traditional' view that A is repeated in B
(b) Psa. 2:1 Å› Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
Psa. 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
Psa. 2:3  Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.
Psa. 2:4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The LORD shall hold them in derision.
Psa. 2:5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
3) A, and what's more B
(a) like 'drilling down' into the next layer
c. Forms of paralleiism
1) Synonymous parallelism
(a) The second or subsequent line repeats or reinforces the sense of the
first line
(b) I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins. Is. 44:22a
2) Antithetical parallelism
(a) The second or subsequent line contrasts the thought of the first
(b) They do not cry to me from the heart,
but they wail upon their beds; Hos 7:14 ESV
3) Synthetic parallelism
(a) The second or subsequent line adds to the first line in any manner
which provides further information
(b) Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau,
and the kingdom shall be the LORD's. Obad 1:21 ESV
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c. Forms of paralleiism
3) Synthetic parallelism
(a) The second or subsequent line adds to the first line in any manner
which provides further information
(b) Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau,
and the kingdom shall be the LORD's. Obad 1:21 ESV
2. Acrostic Psalms
a. Ps 119
1) Psalm 119 has 22 sections, each line of each section begins with the same
letter of the Hebrew alphabet
(a) does you version of the Bible show this?
b. Psalm 9 2 verses for each of the 22 Hebrew consonants
Psalm 10 2 verses each
Psalm 25 1 verse each
Psalm 34 1 verse each
Psalm 37 2 verses each
Psalm 111 ½ verse each
Psalm 112 ½ verse each
Psalm 119 8 verses each
Psalm 145 1 verse each
3. What about Genesis
a. Narrative or Poetry?
1) Narrative: precise scientific fact?
2) Poetry: making the point that God is behind it all?
E. God is at 'work' on his best poem
1. the Greeks had a word for it
a. poem comes from the Greek word "poiema" created thing; deed
2. The first 'poem'
a. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and
Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Rom 1:20 NKJV
3. The second 'poem'
a. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8 10 NKJV
F. Wisdom
1. Wisdom books
a. Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job
b. wisdom: the ability to make godly choices
c. fool: someone who leaves God out of his choices
2. Mixture of divine and human wisdom?
a. Ecclesiastices: cynical wisdom, human wisdom
b. Proverbs: godly counsel for life choices
c. Job: a mixture
G. Home assignment
1. Following the Seed: Sessions 12-14
H. Extra Reading
1. Treasury of David: Charles Spurgeon
2. How to read the Bible for all it's worth: Fee and Stuart
3. How to read the Psalms: Tremper Longman III
4. Living by the Book: Howard G Hendricks & William D Hendricks
VI. Session 06: Gospel
A. Bible Genres
1. History
a. Gen - Esther
b. Gospels - Acts
2. Prophetic: about 400 years
a. The Major Prophets
1) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
b. The Minor Prophets
1) Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
c. Prophecy in the Gospels
d. Prophecy in the Epistles
e. Prophecy in the Revelation
3. Poetry and Wisdom
a. Psalms, Prophets
b. Wisdom Books:
1) Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs?
2) some of the Psalms
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3. Poetry and Wisdom
b. Wisdom Books:
1) Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs?
2) some of the Psalms
4. Gospel
5. Epistle
6. Revelation
B. The Gospel?
1. the preaching of the cross to the unconverted?
2. the truth of the New Testament?
3. a literary genre?
4. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?
a. Irenaeus of Lyons (b. 120/140 Asia Minor - d. 200/203 CE)
1) The Gospels could not possibly be either more or less in number than they
are. Since there are four zones of the world in which we live, and four
principal winds, while the Church is spread over all the earth, and the pillar
and foundation of the Church is the gospel, and the Spirit of life, it fittingly
has four pillars, everywhere breathing out incorruption and revivifying men.
From this it is clear that the Word, the artificer of all things, being
manifested to men gave us the gospel, fourfold in form but held together by
one Spirit. As David said, when asking for his coming, 'O sitter upon the
cherubim, show yourself '. For the cherubim have four faces, and their
faces are images of the activity of the Son of God. For the first living
creature, it says, was like a lion, signifying his active and princely and royal
character; the second was like an ox, showing his sacrificial and priestly
order; the third had the face of a man, indicating very clearly his coming in
human guise; and the fourth was like a flying eagle, making plain the giving
of the Spirit who broods over the Church. Now the Gospels, in which Christ
is enthroned, are like these. (3.11.8)
b. there is one gospel
1) in four forms
2) the gospel according to Matthew,
(a) For the cherubim have four faces, and their faces are images of the
activity of the Son of God. For the first living creature, it says, was like a
lion, signifying his active and princely and royal character;
(b) the son of David
3) the same gospel according to Mark
(a) the second was like an ox, showing his sacrificial and priestly order;
(b) the servant of Jehovah
4) the same gospel according to Luke
(a) the third had the face of a man, indicating very clearly his coming in
human guise;
(b) the son of man
5) the same gospel according to John
(a) the fourth was like a flying eagle, making plain the giving of the Spirit
who broods over the Church.
(b) the son of God
C. Narrative/Didactic?
1. Unique mix in each of the fourfold forms
2. Twofold aim
a. historic account
1) the order is different?
2) Tatian's Harmony (c. 120 180)
(a) The Diatessaron (c 160 - 175) is the most prominent Gospel harmony
created by Tatian, an early Christian apologist and ascetic.[1] The term
"diatessaron" is from Middle English ("interval of a fourth") by way of
Latin, diatessarM
n ("made of four [ingredients]"), and ultimately Greek,
´Ä…p ĵÃÃŹÁɽ (dia tessarM
n) ("out of four"; i.e., ´Ä…Ź, dia, "at intervals
of" and tessarM
n [genitive of Ä­ÃÃÄ…ÁµÂ, tessares], "four"). Tatian
combined the four gospels  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John  into a
single narrative.
(b) The Diatessaron is notable evidence for the authority already enjoyed
by the four gospels by the mid-2nd century.
b. authors conscious of their readers
1) Matthew
(a)  Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation,' spoken of
by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let
him understand), Matt 24:15 NKJV
i. is this Christ's comment or Matthew's?
2) John
(a) After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. John 5:1 NKJV
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b. authors conscious of their readers
2) John
(a) After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. John 5:1 NKJV
(b) Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. John 6:4 NKJV
(c) Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. John 7:2 NKJV
i. what do these verses tell us about the 'intended audience' of John?
D. Verbal Inspiration?
1. Where does 'verbal inspiration' happen?
2. The Trail
a. the 'ipsissima verba' (the actual words) of Jesus
b. the gospel-author's record of those words
c. the translator's version of those words
3. Which language did Christ speak?
a. Most scholars say 'Aramaic' a semitic language with links to Hebrew
b. Some think he may have preached and taught in both languages
1) but mostly Greek in Galilee
2) some Aramaic words (underlined)
(a)  Talitha, cumi, Mark 5:41 NKJV
(b) Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him,  Ephphatha,
that is,  Be opened. Mark 7:34 NKJV
(c) And He said,  Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this
cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.
Mark 14:36 NKJV
(d)  Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Mark 15:34 NKJV
(e) For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or
one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matt 5:18
NKJV
(f) But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother,
 Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, You fool!'
shall be in danger of hell fire. Matt 5:22 NKJV
(g)  No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon. Matt 6:24 NKJV
(h) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying,  Eli,
Eli, lama sabachthani? that is,  My God, My God, why have You
forsaken Me? Matt 27:46 NKJV
(i) And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said,
 You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas (which is
translated, A Stone). John 1:42 NKJV
4. It is on the words of the authors; Matt, Mark, Luke and John that we trust
a. verbal inspiration, inspired the original words of the authors
E. Parables
1. Definitions of parables
a.
parable È Y Y
noun
a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in
the Gospels.
ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French parabole, from an ecclesiastical
Latin sense  discourse, allegory of Latin parabola  comparison, from
Greek parabol
(see parabola ).
1) a single moral or spiritual lesson
b. "the kind of story that, just when you are beginning to enjoy it, gets you by the
throat."
c. a earthly story with a heavenly meaning
d. a story told to cause a reaction
2. The Classic Parable
a. Luke 15 - the prodigal son
1) And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying,  This Man receives
sinners and eats with them. Luke 15:2 NKJV
(a) And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And
when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors,
saying to them,  Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was
lost!' Luke 15:5 6 NKJV
(b) And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors
together, saying,  Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I
lost!' Luke 15:9 NKJV
(c) for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'
And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24 NKJV
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2. The Classic Parable
a. Luke 15 - the prodigal son
1) And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying,  This Man receives
sinners and eats with them. Luke 15:2 NKJV
(b) And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors
together, saying,  Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I
lost!' Luke 15:9 NKJV
(c) for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'
And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24 NKJV
2) the parable is really about the older son who didn't rejoice
3. Interpretation
a. don't sacrifice the 'point' for the details
b. the details add colour and make the story live
c. but don't lose the 'point' in the details
VII. Session 07: Epistle
A. Bible Genres
1. History
a. Gen - Esther
b. Gospels - Acts
2. Prophetic: about 400 years
a. The Major Prophets
1) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
b. The Minor Prophets
1) Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
c. Prophecy in the Gospels
d. Prophecy in the Epistles
e. Prophecy in the Revelation
3. Poetry and Wisdom
a. Psalms, Prophets
b. Wisdom Books:
1) Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs?
2) some of the Psalms
4. Gospel
5. Epistle
6. Revelation
B. Epistle
1. What is an epistle?
a. not a female apostle!
b. not a private letter although there are some 'private' letters in the NT
1) 2 John
2) 3 John
3) Philemon
(a) this is a fascinating insight into Paul's relationships with others
(b) it is still 'scripture', out-breathed by God and 'profitable'
i. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for 2 Tim 3:16 NKJV
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2. a semi-formal style for 'public consumption'
a. The author's name
b. The recipient's name
c. a greeting
d. a prayer of thankfulness
e. the main body of the letter
f. the final farewell
3. "occasional letters"
a. each one of the letters arises from a particular situation
1) important to try to find out what this is
2) not primarily a theological thesis but a timely response to a unique context
4. Testing it out
a. Reading letter by letter
1) class exercise
2) Romans to Philemon
(a) each person to answer the questions from their epistle
b. Paul
1) all of Paul's letters begin with his name
(a) sometimes other names are added to his
(b) name at the beginning; unrolling the scroll
2) all of Paul's letters are addressed to a definite recipient
(a) but some are wider than you might think
3) all have Paul's 'signature' greeting
(a) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
i. grace always comes before peace
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4. Testing it out
b. Paul
3) all have Paul's 'signature' greeting
(a) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
i. grace always comes before peace
(b) sometimes he adds the word mercy
4) all but 4 of his letters begin with a reference to prayer
5) all the letters have a 'body', the main part of the letter
6) all have Paul's closing signature...
(a) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(b) sometimes he adds a little more
i. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the 2 Cor 13:14
communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. NKJV
c. some exceptions
1) Galatians: no word of commendation or prayer...why?
2) Ephesians: no reference to prayer...why?
(a) Ephesians may have been a 'circular' letter
C. Interpretation/Hermeneutics
1. Overhearing the telephone conversation
a. ...but only hearing one of the speakers
b. trying to work out the question from the answer
2. John Wycliffe: c. 1328  December 31, 1384
a. helps to understanding the scripture
1) "it will greatly help you to understand scripture if...
(a) you take note, not only of what is spoken or written, but also
(b) of whom it is written
(c) and to whom it is written
(d) with what words
(e) and at what time
(f) where it was written
(g) to what intent
(h) in what circumstances
(i) considering carefully what goes before
(j) and what follows."
3. Getting the big picture
a. Read the whole letter: (Romans, the longest, will take over an hour to read
aloud)
1) if you mark your Bible, put a vertical line against each verse that tells you
something about the people that the letter was written to
(a) names or descriptions
2) put 2 vertical lines against each verse which indicates the reason for Paul
writing
3) Notice Paul's attitudes
4) put an horizontal line where the topic changes
b. A test run
1) 1 Corinthians
(a) why was it written?
i. he has heard from Chloe; 1 Cor 1:10 12
ii. he has received a letter from the church in Corinth; 1 Cor 7:1
1) here is a list of their questions
2) 1 Cor 7:25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1, 12
3) but we don't have the questions in detail
(b) to whom was it written?
i. the church in Corinth?
1) To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are 1 Cor 1:2a NKJV
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,
ii. a wider audience?
1) with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our 1 Cor 1:2b NKJV
Lord, both theirs and ours:
together with... a + b, a wider group in mind
(c) What is the theme?
i. sometimes you get a clue very early on as to the real problem
ii. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by 1 Cor 1:11 12
those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. NKJV
Now I say this, that each of you says,  I am of Paul, or  I am of
Apollos, or  I am of Cephas, or  I am of Christ.
iii. when everyone is saying 'I' there are bound to be problems
(d) getting the general direction of the letter guards against wierd
interpretations
i. individual verses may be a blessing/guidance but
1) Beware reading 'texts' for Bible interpretation
Who could quote John 3:16?
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(d) getting the general direction of the letter guards against wierd
interpretations
i. individual verses may be a blessing/guidance but
1) Beware reading 'texts' for Bible interpretation
Who could quote John 3:16?
who could quote John 3:14,15
without these two verses it is not possible to understand John 3:16
this kind of faith is 'all your eggs in one basket'
putting all your confidence in Christ as though your life depended on it
2) try to read in 'paragraphs' rather than individual verses
follow the line of thought
D. Personal Application
1. Is this letter written to me?
a. does their context fit mine?
1) the stray birthday party invitation...
(a) "I look forward to seeing you on Friday 10th for my birthday party..."
(b) is that an automatic invitation to my party?
(c) I can't assume a thing is true for me just because I have read it
i. I have to see if I fit the description
2. tasting/subjective and knowing/objective
a. somethings we know because we have experienced them
1) tasting doesn't mean 'sampled' a small amount
(a) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the
suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace
of God, might taste death for everyone. Heb 2:9 NKJV
i. it means 'experienced'
b. somethings we know because they have been revealed to us
1) Read Colossians
(a) Paul knows some things 'subjectively'; he has heard about them
(b) based on what he knows they have experienced he can add 'objective'
truth
(c) but the objective truth is only true if the subjective truth is true.
(d)
VIII. Session 08: Apocalyptic/Revelation
A. Bible Genres
B. The Revelation of Jesus Christ
1. a hospital pass
2. Apocalyptic
a. "Apocalypse" (Ä„żºŹÅÈÄ…Â) is a Greek word meaning "revelation", "an
unveiling or unfolding of things not previously known and which could not be
known apart from the unveiling." As a genre, apocalyptic literature details the
authors' visions of the end times as revealed by a heavenly messenger or
Angel. The apocalyptic literature of Judaism and Christianity embraces a
considerable period, from the centuries following the exile down to the close of
the middle ages.
b. although the Revelation seems unique to us, it is a genre already known
readers
3. Clapham Junction
a. scores of different routes come through here
b. the melting pot of images and symbols
c. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants
things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel
to His servant John, Rev 1:1 NKJV
1) a favourite word of John
(a) Strongs 4591.from sema (a mark; of uncertain derivation); to indicate:
 signify.
(b) The Revelation is a book of symbols which need to be interpreted
(c) many of the symbols are explained and many are not
i. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and
the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the
seven churches. Rev 1:20 NKJV
ii. Rev 1:17-18, 20, 12:9, 17:9, 17:18
2) Literal interpretation?
(a) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp
two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its
strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His
right hand on me, saying to me,  Do not be afraid; I am the First and the
Last. Rev 1:16 17 NKJV
i. he holds the 'seven messengers of the seven churches' in his right
hand
ii. he touches John with his right hand
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2) Literal interpretation?
(a) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp
two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its
strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His
right hand on me, saying to me,  Do not be afraid; I am the First and the
Last. Rev 1:16 17 NKJV
i. he holds the 'seven messengers of the seven churches' in his right
hand
ii. he touches John with his right hand
iii. did he drop the messengers? No, these are coded symbols
(b) lampstands are not lampstands, stars are not stars, lambs are not
lambs, eyes are not eyes, horns are not horns, numbers are symbolic...
i. these are all 'coded symbols'
4. at least 4 schools of interpretation
a. Historicist, which sees in Revelation a broad view of history;
b. Preterist, in which Revelation mostly refers to the events of the apostolic era
(1st century);
c. Futurist, which believes that Revelation describes future events;
d. Idealist, or Symbolic, which holds that Revelation does not refer to actual
people or events, but is an allegory of the spiritual path and the ongoing
struggle between good and evil.
5. Other apocalyptic scriptures
a. Ezekiel
1) And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne,
in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a
likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. Also from the
appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber
with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of
His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with
brightness all around. Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a
rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was
the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. Å› So when I saw
it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. Ezek 1:26 29
NKJV
(a) not a throne, but the 'likeness' of a throne'
(b) not a man, but the 'appearance' of a man
(c) notice the impact of this vision on Ezekial
b. Daniel
1)  You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great
image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was
awesome. This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver,
its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly
of clay. You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck
the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the
iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together,
and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried
them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck
the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Dan 2:31
35 NKJV
2) Daniel spoke, saying,  I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four
winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts
came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a
lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it
was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and
a man's heart was given to it.  And suddenly another beast, a second, like
a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth
between its teeth. And they said thus to it: Arise, devour much flesh!'  After
this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back
four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was
given to it.  After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast,
dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was
devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was
different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. Dan
7:2 7 NKJV
(a) these two visions are telling the same story
i. Nebuchadnezzar saw a heathen statue in all its splendour
ii. Daniel saw the 'jungle' of spirits behind the statue.
(b) the story line has looped back on itself
c. Zechariah
1) I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood
among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red,
sorrel, and white. Zech 1:8 NKJV
(a) are these the horses of the apocalypse?
2) So he said,  These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord
of the whole earth. Zech 4:14 NKJV
(a) are these the two witnesses?
6. The melting pot
a. Israel had two 'captivities'
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6. The melting pot
a. Israel had two 'captivities'
1) Egypt and Babylon
2) themes from these captivities surface in the Revelation
b. The uncompleted prophecies of Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah come together
C. Hermeneutics/Interpretation
1. Commentaries
a. Calvin refused to write a commentary, saying he didn't understand it
b. Spurgeon said only fools and madmen are sure about their interpretation
2. Why do people use code?
a. to keep things secret that might get them into trouble
1) apocalyptic literature seems to come from troubled times
b. Sometimes Paul seems to talk in code...
1) Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these
things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in
his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He
who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the
lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of
His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 2 Th 2:5 8 NKJV
2) that sounds as if it is the Roman Empire that Paul has in mind
3. For whom was the Revelation written?
a. John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Rev 1:4a NKJV
b. saying,  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and,  What
you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia:
to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia,
and to Laodicea. Rev 1:11 NKJV
1) we must keep mind that firstly it was for them
2) in interpreting the book we ask what did this mean for the seven churches?
4. Exegesis - what does it say; exposition - what does it mean
a. John expected his readers to understand at least some of this
b. Just because John saw them next does not mean they happen next
D. Personal Application
1. The Overcomers' promise
a. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens
the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who
overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat
down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. '  Rev 3:20 22 NKJV
1) 'overcome' comes from 'nike' meaning victor
(a) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the that
has overcome the world our faith. 1 John 5:4 NKJV
(b) Strongs G3529. nike, nee´-kay; apparently a primary word; conquest
(abstractly), i.e. (figuratively) the means of success:  victory.
2) the victor will sit with Christ in his throne
3) just as Christ overcame and now sits in the Father's throne
2. The vision now unfolds
a. Rev 4: The Throne of God:
1) there are 39 references to this throne in the book of the Revelation
(a) Rev 1:4; 3:21; 4:2 6, 9 10; 5:1, 6 7, 11, 13; 6:16; 7:9 11, 15, 17; 8:3;
12:5; 14:3, 5; 16:17; 19:4 5; 20:11; 21:5; 22:1, 3
2) the focal point of the Revelation: long distance shot
(a) Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven,
and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and
a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the
throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-
four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed
in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from
the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps
of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of
God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the
midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures
full of eyes in front and in back. Rev 4:2 6 NKJV
3) the Throne is occupied: zooming in
(a) heaven worships the creator
i. the song of the creation: Rev 4:11
b. Rev 5: the Scroll with seven seals in his right hand: zooming in
1) the destiny of all things, but sealed
(a) written on both sides, indicates comprehensive information
2) Who is worthy to unfold the revelation?
(a) But one of the elders said to me,  Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the
tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to
loose its seven seals. Rev 5:5 NKJV
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b. Rev 5: the Scroll with seven seals in his right hand: zooming in
2) Who is worthy to unfold the revelation?
(a) But one of the elders said to me,  Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the
tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to
loose its seven seals. Rev 5:5 NKJV
i. prevailed is 'overcame' see D.1.a.1) above
(b) Rev 4 & 5 is the unfolding of Rev 3:21
c. The throne and the Lamb
1) And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living
creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had
been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Rev 5:6 NKJV And I looked, and
behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the
midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out
into all the earth. Rev 5:6 NKJV
d. Rev 6:1
1) the Lamb will now un-seal the scroll and reveal everything
3. a Mini-exposition
a. The Lamb - the Sin-bearer
b. slain but standing - has passed through death
c. he has seven horns - complete power
d. he has seven eyes - complete knowledge
e. Our Lamb is reigning
IX. Session 09: Transmission & Translation (NT)
A. History
1. Autographs
2. Manuscript Families
3. Linear transmission
4. First generation transmission
B. Translations
1. Kindle
a. 9 versions
2. By Language
a. Latin Vulgate begun in 382
b. A.D. 600 - 1150 Anglo-Saxon versions of the Bible
1) http://www.bible-researcher.com/anglosaxon.html
c. Middle English. Pre-17th Century
1) 1382 - John Wycliffe's English Bible - Middle English
(a) translated, with the help of his students, from the Latin Vulgate version
(b) http://www.bible-researcher.com/wyclif.html
(c) 1 In tho daies Joon Baptist cam, and prechide in the desert of Judee, 2
and seide, Do e penaunce, for the kyngdom of heuenes shal neie. 3
For this is he, of whom it is seid bi Ysaie, the prophete, seyinge, A vois
of a crier in desert, Make e redi the weies of the Lord; make e rit the
pathis of hym. 4 And this Joon hadde clothing of camels heeris, and a
girdil of skynne aboute hise leendis; and his mete was honysoukis, and
hony of the wode.
d. 1516. Erasmus' first Greek New Testament (First printed Greek New
Testament).
e. 1522. First edition of Luther's German New Testament
f. 1522. Erasmus' 3rd Greek New Testament
g. Early Modern English
1) William Tyndale - 1492-1536
(a)  I had perceived by experience, how that it was impossible to stablish
the lay people in any truth, except the scripture were plainly laid before
their eyes in their mother tongue, that they might see the process,
order, and meaning of the text.
 William Tyndale, Preface to the Pentateuch, 1530
(b) 1525 - Tyndale's English New Testament (first printed English text)
published in Germany
2)
3. A Chronology of the English Bible - Michael Marlowe
a. http://www.bible-researcher.com/history2.html
4. King James Version 1611 & 1769?
a.  Truly, good Christian Reader, we never thought from the beginning, that we
should need to make a new Translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good
one ... but to make a good one better, or out of many good ones, one
principal good one, not justly to be excepted against; that hath been our
endeavor, that our mark. - Preface to the King James Bible
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4. King James Version 1611 & 1769?
a.  Truly, good Christian Reader, we never thought from the beginning, that we
should need to make a new Translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good
one ... but to make a good one better, or out of many good ones, one
principal good one, not justly to be excepted against; that hath been our
endeavor, that our mark. - Preface to the King James Bible
C. Philosophy of translation
D. Choices
X. Tools for Bible Study
A. Versions
B. The History of the English Bible
C. Hebrew and Greek
1. "a little learning is a dangerous thing"
D. Exegesis
E. Exposition
1. hermeneutics
F. Vital Questions
1. Wycliffe
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