The Bible Passages You’ve Always Wondered about–ExplainedWhat should we make of the Bible story about a talking donkey? What about the passage in Joshua where the sun and moon stood still? Should biblical practices like women wearing head coverings still be followed today? The Bible serves as the foundation for all of Christian life, crossing time and transcending cultures, yet many passages are … are perplexing. Providing fascinating historical and scriptural insights, Eric J. Bargerhuff demystifies forty Bible verses and stories. Ranging from strange accounts, such as bears mauling forty-two boys (2 Kings 2), to hard-to-accept statements, such as Jesus saying we must hate our families in order to be his disciples (Luke 14), you will learn the context of each passage and how it applies to us today. Other fascinating accounts include· The Finger on the Wall· “Lead Us Not into Temptation”· Jeremiah’s Linen Underwear· “No One Knows the Day or the Hour”· The Battle for Moses’ Body· Death at CommunionIn all, this book will help you be more confident about interpreting all of God’s Word accurately.
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Why is That in the Bible?
By Eric J. Bargerhuff
The most perplexing verses and stories–and what they teach us
The Bible often has passages that can leave a reader scratching their head and wondering what it was all about and even at times why it is in the Bible. But sometimes the meaning of the passage is twofold. It has bearing on the participants and the time in which they lived and it has an alluded to future bearing on the world that was and is still come.
This book is in no way an exhaustive overview of what one can find perplexing but rather it deals with some of the more well-known passages of both the Old and New Testaments. For instance, Abraham’s sacrifice of Issac, who would willingly take a long-desired child and offer them as a sacrifice. Yet this is what Abraham did and he did it with a belief that he would still have a son afterward. This one of those instances of present and future meaning. And then there is the story of Jesus cursing the non-bearing fig tree. Reading passage one can be confused – why curse a tree that is not bearing fruit? But there is a deeper message that if directed at those who profess belief in Christ and His salvation – words are like the leaves of the fig tree and actions are like the fruit. Without actions behind our words, we are like a fruitless leafed-out tree.
These various examples take the reader on a journey of discovery, one that can open the eyes, mind, and heart to the greater meaning found within the Bible. One just needs the means to see deeper and this book offers one help in doing so. This book as the author offers in his conclusion is to help combat the biblical illiteracy that is growing and to help “Christians to be known as people of the Book” for without this we will never God as He intended us to. Are you ready to understand God’s story more fully?
This book is one that you will want to have on hand for looking back on what you read or even to reread sections when you come across these passages in your daily Bible readings. Would make an excellent gift for those with questions about why something is in the Bible.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Why Is That In the Bible? by Eric J. Bargerhuff is a Christian living book. Dr. l Eric Bargerhuff is a professor of Bible and theology and the associate dean of academic affairs at Trinity College of Florida.. He was a pastor for twenty years in Ohio, Illinois and Florida.. He received his doctorate in biblical and systematic theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. This book is a helpful tool for any pastor or any Christian. He explains and interprets a verse in each chapter. He writes about verses people to do understand the meaning or the reason the event , situation or decision took place. He explained why Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. The explanations tell the reader the context of life at that time and why the situation happened. The explanations give a new viewpoint and understanding for this situations. I appreciate Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions are my own. I look forward to sharing my review on social media and with church staff.
I Wonder….
Have you read something in the Bible that caused you to want more details, but didn’t know where to find them? This book tries to help you with that. Forty subjects are covered such as the fight for Moses’ body, the dead people resurrected and seen walking throughout Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s death, and looks for an answer to who the Nephilim were.
The author points to places in the Bible that might help explain these stories, along with what scholars and theologians have said. He gives incites to help us understand the occurrences, but states some things are still up for debate. He also adds that the point to some these incidents might have been nothing more than to show God’s glory.
The author has been in church ministry more than twenty years, as well as, is currently a professor and dean at a Christian college. I enjoyed hearing about these amazing events. This 5-star book is easy to read, and the details fun to ponder. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know the rest of the story. Remember, too, you will never go wrong by asking the Lord for greater understanding.
Bethany House Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Why is That in the Bible?, for the purpose of review. Opinions are my own.